b4cast - Simulation of Hardening Concrete
The b4cast is advanced software for simulating the temperatures and stresses in 3-dimensional concrete structures during hardening. By means of the software, structures are modeled for different construction methods in order to optimize the solution.
It is very important to be careful about the hardening process of concrete. Inappropriate construction methods can cause:
- Freezing before the concrete is strong enough
- Too early evaporation leading to a weak cover layer
- Too high temperature differences leading to crack-formation
- Lack of final strength due to too high temperatures
- Lack of strength at form-removal, prestressing or loading
In all cases the concrete structure will be directly damaged and the durability, functionality and appearance will be substantially reduced. On the other hand it is also important not to make more arrangements than necessary. By making a simulation prior to start-up of a project the risk of damages are reduced or eliminated.
The b4cast software is useful for:
- Contractors, in planning construction methods fulfilling requirements and economy limitations.
- Consultants, during the design-phase where it is possible to check the planned activities.
- Precast industries, optimizing the production
Before the execution, you can choose a construction method which is satisfying requirements concerning:
- - max. temperature
- - differences in temperatures
- - strength (based on maturity)
- - curing (including rate of evaporation or total evaporation)
- - freezing
- - maximum exploitation of tensile strength (crack-formation)
By means of b4cast you can describe your 3D-dimensional structure and try different construction methods in order to get an optimum solution regarding quality, time and money.
Since b4cast is based on the Finite Element Method and is modeling in 3D, a wide range of problems can be solved.
The computer-program is very user-friendly. No in-depth knowledge about the Finite Element Method is required. What is needed is to describe the construction method, start the calculation and check if the results are reasonable.
Construction Method
Volumes corresponding to actual castings are defined geometrically. Geometries can be specified directly in the software or STL files can be imported.
Time of casting and the casting temperature are defined.
Scheduling of cooling pipes/heating wires is possible.
Materials
The hardening concrete is described by:
- Activation Energy/Datum Temperature/Ref. Temperature
- The Heat of Hydration
- Cement Content
- Heat Capacity
- Density
- Thermal Conductivity
- E-modulus
- Poissons ratio
- Thermal expansion
- Eigen-strain
- Creeping
- Tensile Strength
- Compression Strength
Maturity is based on Arrhenius or Nurse-Saul functions.
Materials can be imported from and exported to libraries. In this manner the same material can be reused in different jobs. Together with the software are delivered examples on materials, which are ready to use.
Thermal Boundaries
The following models can be assigned to surfaces:
- Temperature related to convection
- Wind-speed
- Shields: user defined formwork/insulation etc.
- Flux
- Temperature related to radiation
- Transmission coefficient related to radiation
- Heat from evaporation/condensation
All models are functions of time.
Internal heating or cooling can be done by specifying heating cables or cooling pipes (open circuits, closed circuit and cooling plants can be specified).
Shields can be imported from and exported to libraries. In this manner the same shield can be reused in different jobs. Together with the software are delivered examples on shields, which are ready to use.
Displacement boundaries
The structure can be provided with displacement boundaries in relation external restraints. Displacement boundaries are also used in specifying planes of symmetry.
If none or some displacement boundaries are supplied by the user the software automatically complement boundaries in a way, which makes the structure statically determinate. Self-weight and external loads are considered.
The connection between two adjacent volumes can be decoupled. Decoupling is used to model construction joints where one or more displacement components are discontinuous. It can be, for example, a soft joint or related to match casting operations of precast segments. Decoupling is also useful if there is no mechanical interaction with e.g., a ground volume, but still thermal interaction.
Calculation Method
The analyses (thermal- and stress-) are performed by means of the Finite Element Method. The structure is meshed into tetrahedrons. The variation of temperature, maturity and stress within the element is assumed to be parabolic within each element..
Results
Results are:
- Temperatures
- Maturities
- Tensile and compression strengths
- Amount of evaporated/condensed water from surfaces
- Stresses, Principal Stresses and exploitation of tensile strength
- Strains, Principal Strains
- Displacements
- 3D Deformations
Results variation in space are presented as contour plots in user-defined sections
Results variation in time are presented as graphs with minimum/maximum-values, average values, or values in user-defined points.
Cross-sections with extreme values can automatically be located.
Licensing
The b4cast software is available with a time-limited license.
The software and license are provided over the Internet.
Free trial| Product | Annual license 1) | Monthly license 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal analysis only | 1500 USD | 200 USD |
| Thermal analysis + Stress analysis | 3000 USD | 400 USD |
| E-mail support during license period 2) | 2250 USD | 400 USD |
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All prices are exclusive VAT, taxes, and duty.
Please state payment method when placing order (bank wire transfer or credit card).
OrderSystem Requirements
The license requires access to the Internet.Operative systems: Windows
Thermal Analysis: min. 4 GB RAM
Stress Analysis without cooling pipes/heating cables: min. 8 GB RAM
Stress Analysis with cooling pipes/heating cables: min 16 GB RAM