Influence of the paving thickness on the strength development or durability of cement-bound grouted concrete

Due to the high cement content and the use of early high-strength cements, a considerable release of hydration heat is to be expected with cement-bound grouted concretes. If this cannot dissipate quickly enough to the outside in thicker components, there is a risk of pronounced microcracking in the concrete structure, which can severely impair the durability of the concrete. In order to limit such thermal stresses, the DAfStb-Rili "Herstellung und Verwendung von zementgebundenem Vergussbeton und Vergussmörtel" (Production and use of cement-bound grouted concrete and grouting mortar) limited, on a purely empirical basis, the maximum paving thickness to 25 times the maximum grain size. In practice, it would often be expedient to also produce components, such as bearing bases of bridge piers, which exceed this thickness limit, in one operation with grouted concrete. Against this background, the question arises whether or to what extent the increase in the paving thickness and the associated higher heating have an effect on the durability, but also on the final strength.