Minimum Shrinkage and Temperature Reinforcement for Mass Concrete

[RangeRock]

Good Afternoon All,

Looking for some experiential wisdom regarding minimum reinforcing limits for a mass concrete design.

I am designing a reinforced concrete wall that is 3’-0”+ thick in most sections and is being poured indoors at an existing facility and will not be exposed to weather. However, it is being designed such that accelerated electron particles will not pass through the walls. Thus, I feel that the design exceeds the “liquid-tight” clause and is qualified as a “particle-tight” condition under ACI 350-06: 7.12.2.1.

Can I use the provision in ACI 350-06: 7.12.2.1 to reduce the shrinkage and temperature ratio to .0050 for the top and bottom 12” layers as described? Or am I required to stick with ACI 318-14: Table 11.6.1 with the prescribed reinforcement ratios as a function of total area?

Thanks in advance for the wisdom.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Three feet think doesn't feel like "mass concrete" to me.

As far as not letting electron particles through it, I think that's more similar to what we see when we do walls near X-ray, and MRI machines and such. ACI 350 is (if I'm not mistaken) more related to water and waste processing facilities.

 

[RangeRock]

JoshPlumSE,

Thank you for your response. My apologies, to clarify, 3'-0" is the minimum section. Many of the wall sections are anywhere from 5'-15' thick.

And yes, I believe ACI 350 is intended to be largely for environmental structures (ie. water treatment/hydro. facilities) Is there another ACI code for medical/scientific/laboratory facilities that can help me reduce the T & S steel required? The spans are not nearly long enough that flexural stress controls so the minimum ration of T & S steel dictates much of the reinforcing detailing.

Thanks.