Thermal expansion—also called thermal dilation or length change due to heat—fundamentally affects the behavior of concrete, rock, and steel in deconstruction, cutting, and demolition, with direct impact on concrete temperature behavior. Anyone working with concrete shears, rock and concrete splitters, rock splitting cylinders, or steel shears encounters thermal expansion daily: it acts on fits, split widths, stress states, and the stability of components and blocks. A precise assessment helps avoid unwanted cracks, jammed tools, uneven fracture surfaces, and safety risks.
Definition: What is meant by thermal expansion
Thermal expansion is the reversible change in length or volume of a solid as a result of heating or cooling. The basis is the linear coefficient of thermal expansion α (unit: 1/K), which describes the change in length per Kelvin of temperature change. For engineering applications, the linear approximation is often sufficient: a bar or plate length changes proportionally to the temperature difference. In concrete, aggregate, moisture, strength class, and age influence the effective expansion coefficient; in natural stone, mineralogy is decisive; in steel, the value is comparatively well defined. Thermal expansion itself is not harmful—what becomes critical are restraint due to inhibited expansion, temperature gradients across the cross-section, and combined actions (e.g., shrinkage, creep, and load).
Calculation and typical practical parameters
The linear change in length ΔL can be estimated in practice with ΔL = α · L0 · ΔT. Example: A 10 m long concrete beam (α ≈ 10·10⁻⁶/K) experiences a length change of around 4 mm when heated by 40 K. A 30 m long steel girder (α ≈ 12·10⁻⁶/K) expands by about 10.8 mm at 30 K. Such values are relevant in deconstruction when component ends are prone to restraint or when cut lines and split lines have tight tolerances. For natural stone, α values typically range by rock type from about 5–9·10⁻⁶/K; granites are mostly lower, gneisses and sandstones more variable. In composite sections (reinforced concrete, reinforced shotcrete), different expansions can generate bond stresses that manifest during demolition as crack initiation or uneven fragmentation.
Influence on concrete demolition and specialized deconstruction
Thermal expansion modifies stress distributions and thus the fracture path of concrete. Heated, sun-exposed surfaces are expanded and can build compressive stresses near the edges; cool shaded parts remain contracted. If temperature gradients arise, restraint stresses occur that activate existing microcracks. In targeted demolition this can be used to steer crack paths—or it must be mitigated to avoid uncontrolled spalling.
Concrete shears: bite, split guidance, and temperature
Concrete shears grip components with high compressive force. In heat, the near-surface zones become locally more compliant; the shear can “cut in” faster, but the risk of surface spalling increases. In cold conditions, concrete is more brittle, fracture surfaces are often sharper, but the initiating forces rise. Thin separating saw-cuts prior to shear use should be adjusted for temperature to work toward defined fracture edges and to relieve restraint.
Rock and concrete splitters: borehole tolerances and thermal effects
Rock and concrete splitters or rock split cylinders act via wedges in boreholes. Heating can minimally widen borehole edges; cooling narrows them. Even tenths of a millimeter affect insertion clearance, wedge-angle contact, and friction coefficient. A uniform temperature distribution along the hole row favors a straight crack path. If individual boreholes are strongly heated (sun, exhaust heat), the split line can drift.
Strip-out and cutting: separating cuts, joints, and fits
When sawing and separating concrete or masonry, joint width depends not only on the saw blade but also on temperature. At higher temperatures, components expand; separating cuts should then be made slightly wider if concrete shears or combi shears will follow. In cool conditions, tighter cuts often suffice, though starting forces increase. It is important to consider temperature variations over the course of a workday: cuts made in the morning may close up or open by afternoon.
Rock demolition and tunneling: thermal gradients in rock
In rock, pronounced temperature gradients occur depending on aspect (south- or north-facing), daily cycle, and elevation. Bedding and joint planes respond anisotropically; adhesion and friction values change accordingly. When setting split lines with rock and concrete splitters, the hole axis should be as evenly tempered as possible. Underground, natural temperature changes are smaller, but equipment waste heat and hydraulic flows locally cause warming that changes the viscosity of hydraulic oil and thus affects splitting speed.
Steel and tanks: thermal expansion during cutting and shearing
In steel components (e.g., tanks, girders, vessels), thermal expansion under restraint quickly generates high stresses. Steel shears and tank cutters such as the Tank Cutter benefit from controlled cutting sequences that reduce restraint. Local heating from friction work causes short-term length change; after cooling, residual stresses arise that can deform cut edges. Therefore, stagger cut lengths, release fixed points, and temporarily brace components.
Heat sources and temperature fields on site
- Solar radiation and wind: non-uniform heating of slabs and wall panels, edge heating.
- Hydration heat of young concretes: elevated core temperatures, cool edges.
- Equipment waste heat: hydraulic power packs, friction at shear or cutting edges.
- Weather jumps: rapid change due to showers, shade, drafts.
These influences create temperature fields that should be considered when planning split lines, cuts, and gripping points.
Planning tolerances, expansion joints, and work steps
Separating and splitting operations benefit from tolerances that accommodate thermal expansion. For large concrete elements, it is advisable to free up expansion paths before shedding load paths with concrete shears. Expansion joints should be placed to purposefully reduce restraint forces and not hinder subsequent shear bites. For borehole rows for rock and concrete splitters: uniform hole spacing, consistent depth, and the most homogeneous temperature conditions possible along the intended fracture line.
Hydraulic power packs, hoses, and seals over the temperature range
Hydraulics are temperature-sensitive as well: oil viscosity, seal compliance, and hose length change with temperature, and the performance of hydraulic power units varies with ambient conditions. Cold, more viscous oil can extend response time; warm oil accelerates movements but may reduce peak forces. In practice, a short warm-up or cool-down phase is sensible before beginning precise splitting or cutting operations. Pressure settings should be checked for temperature effects within permitted limits.
Material properties: guideline values for the jobsite
- Concrete: α ≈ 8–12·10⁻⁶/K (dependent on aggregate, moisture, strength class, age)
- Steel: α ≈ 11–13·10⁻⁶/K
- Granite: α ≈ 6–8·10⁻⁶/K
- Sandstone/gneiss: α ≈ 5–9·10⁻⁶/K (broader scatter due to texture)
These ranges serve as guidance for field estimates. For dimension-critical work, project-specific measurements and conservative safety allowances are recommended.
Fracture pattern, crack control, and notch effect
Thermal restraint changes crack propensity. Pre-existing cracks open under heating along their weaker zones; under cooling, they can press back and increase frictional contact. When using rock and concrete splitters, slight preheating of the surface occasionally leads to straighter split lines, provided cores are not overheated. With concrete shears, notches and starter cracks should be placed so that the fracture edge does not propagate uncontrollably with temperature changes.
Practical recommendations for planning and execution
- Measure temperature: record surface and, if possible, core temperature or plausibly estimate them.
- Account for ΔT: plan the daily temperature cycle (morning/noon/evening) into the sequence of cuts, drilling, and shear bites.
- Provide tolerances: select joint and split widths to accommodate expected length changes.
- Relieve restraint: release fixed points step by step, temporarily decouple bearings, set bracing in time.
- Create uniform conditions: shield borehole rows from direct sun, avoid temperature outliers.
- Check hydraulics: after a temperature change, trigger a test response; verify pressures are within permitted limits.
- Stagger work steps: segment long cuts, continue splitting in a controlled manner to release residual stresses purposefully.
- Documentation: record observed fracture patterns and temperature data to optimize follow-up work.
Safety and responsibility when dealing with thermal expansion
Thermal expansion is a normal but forceful process. When working with concrete shears, rock and concrete splitters, steel shears, or tank cutters, stable supports, secure gripping points, sufficient clearances, and suitable bracing are essential. Assessments of thermal expansions and restraint should always be made cautiously and, in case of uncertainty, conservatively. Legal requirements and technical regulations can vary by asset, region, and method; these must be observed under one’s own responsibility.