Numerical prediction of the evolution of materials properties in hardening concrete structures

For the description of the behaviour of concrete structures at early ages adequate numerical programs are needed, with which the evolution of the materials properties during hydration is modelled accurately. In this contribution modelling of early age concrete at different levels is discussed. The numerical simulation program HYMOSTRUC deals with hydration and microstructural development of hardening cement-based systems, TEMPSPAN is a special purpose program used for evaluation of the risk of cracking in hardening concrete structures. The finite element package DIANA was used for numerical evaluation of the effect of rigid inclusions on the resulting deformational behaviour of a shrinking cement paste (meso-level) and for establishing the actual degree of restraint experienced by hardening concrete sections (macro-level).