When water is added to cement, heat is released as a result of hydration of cement depending on the volume of concrete being handled. The rise in temperature can cause significant cracking in the concrete mass, unless the rate of rise in temperature is kept under control, within the acceptable limits. Other factors influencing the rise in temperature are the type of cement, placement temperature, prevailing ambient temperature, the volume of concrete being poured, etc. In this paper, the rate of heat evolution and consequent rise in temperature with time due to heat of hydration of large concrete masses (draft tube and spiral case) has been studied by formulating a 3-D finite element model of the mass concrete using transient thermal analysis, technique for different types of concrete mixes and volumes of concrete under the prevailing site conditions and the recommendations have been made regarding the lift of concrete so as to keep the temperature rise within a tolerable limit, preventing excessive cracking of concrete.