Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Howard, Isaac

Committee Member

Cox, Benjamin

Committee Member

Shannon, Jameson

Committee Member

Freyne, Seamus

Date of Degree

8-7-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

Interest in the use of high-strength concrete (HSC) has increased in recent years with demand for improved concrete performance. HSCs are widely associated with high heat of hydration and elusive behavior when exposed to high temperatures commonly occurring in mass structures. The optimization of HSC mixture proportioning is difficult due to a wide variety of constituents that influence thermal and mechanical properties. Additionally, determining in-place properties of mass concrete placements is elusive, and there are currently minimal to no test methods available that are both predictive and a direct measurement of mechanical properties. The objective of this dissertation is to provide improved understanding of material interaction, and subsequent impact on thermal and mechanical properties and to use a protocol named CCure to evaluate material interactions in the presence of heat. This objective was accomplished in three components: (1) furthering the pursuit of a thermo-mechanical test method able to predict and directly measure thermal and mechanical properties of laboratory specimens representative of in-place properties within HSC mass placements, (2) introduce and make progress towards the development of a thermal line approach intended to be used as a guideline for use of CCure, and (3) use CCure to further understanding of the impact of materials and material interactions on HSC performance in the presence of elevated temperatures in an effort to progress HSC optimization efforts. CCure successfully replicated time-temperature profiles and mechanical properties of mass placements that varied in mixture, size, and insulation properties. This serves as measurable progress towards developing a test method capable of creating a predictive laboratory curing protocol by accounting for mixture characteristics on thermal and mechanical properties of HSCs in mass placements. CCure was also successfully used to confirm the validity of a thermal line approach (T-line) as a guideline for the use of CCure and to evaluate the influence of material properties and interactions of HSC blends. The potential of the second and third components seem promising though more overarching conclusions are withheld for subsequent efforts.

Sponsorship (Optional)

ERDC/CAVS

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