The effects of external restraint on the thermal stresses i n mass concrete are investigated through a series of parametric study. Two major factors affecting the degree of external restraint such as the ratio of length to height of the placed structure (L/H) and the elastic modulus of base structure ($E_r$) are employed as the parameters in a condition which a placing height H is 1.0m. Various conditions of I,/H and E, are analysed by a FEM program and the relationship between these two parameters is examined. The shape of stress distribution due to the external restraint is shown as linearity on the height direction of the section, and is influenced by L/H, $E_r$, and strength development of placed concrete. The external restraint can be devided by two part. One is an axial restraint and the other is a flexural restraint. When the level of external restraint is low, the structure behavior is mainly governed by flexural restraint, otherwise it is dependent on axial restraint. Comparing the calculated stress by the method of the ACI 207 committee with a finite element analysis, the fbrmer overestimates the external restraint stress when the degree of external restraint is weak, and underestimates when it is strong.