Thermal expansion joint in concrete office buliding 1

[Kiras]

I have been aksed to design some office buildings on an isolated sismic platform which is (120x120) mt wide. The isolators allow free movement of the slab.
For construction reasons it would be preferable NOT to have thermal expansion joints in the slab - but I am really concerned to go so far.

The expected thermal Differential Delta T is about +- 10° Celsius.

Does somebody have any info or have experience on this? Is non linear thermal analysis absolutely needed? Thanks

 

[civilperson]

If the slab is restrained and placed at the extreme low temperature, then the change in compressive stress due thermal increase is well within the strength of the concrete. If the slab is unrestrained, then the dimensions will grow at the rate of thermal expansion with no increase in stress. Either can be successfully designed.