Finite Element Analysis of Shrinkage Cracks in the Walls of a Reinforced Concrete Farm Pond

Abstract

A site investigation was carried out on leaks from cracks which appeared in the walls of a reinforced concrete farm pond, constructed as a regulating reservoir. The major cause for the appearance of the cracks is probabty due to restriction of the shrinkage at the lower part of the walls, by the bottom concrete plate which was previously placed and prehardened.
Using the mathematical model of the wall, the distributions of the stress caused by the shrinkage of concrete and the crack surfaces are calculated by finite element method. The comparison of the results with the data obtained from the site investigation showed the availability of the model.
Furthermore, the method of setting up shrinkage joints for preventing cracks and executing the water-proofing work after the appearance of the cracks are proposed as countermeasures for solving the problem.