When fresh concrete cures, the exothermic chemical reaction (hydration) generates immense internal heat. If the surface of the structure cools rapidly due to ambient air or cold water flow while the core remains hot, a steep temperature gradient forms. This gradient causes differential thermal expansion: Expands as heat builds up. The Surface: Contracts as it cools.
Understanding and preventing is a critical challenge in high-stakes engineering fields like additive manufacturing, welding, and casting. This phenomenon occurs when liquid metal cannot flow quickly enough into shrinking spaces between growing solid regions during solidification, leading to the formation of voids that link into cracks. flow 3d hydro crack hot
The solver includes dedicated liquid-solid and liquid-vapor phase change models paired with thermal stress evolution modules. This allows engineers to track the exact moments when thermal shrinkage transitions into structural cracking. Step-by-Step Simulation Workflow When fresh concrete cures, the exothermic chemical reaction