Effects of reinforcement on autogenous deformation of early-age concrete containing CaO-based expansion agent

Abstract

High-performance concrete (HPC) is a common building material in practical engineering, but HPC cracks easily due to the large autogenous shrinkage (AS). The CaO-based expansive agent (CEA) addition and reinforcement are effective ways to reduce the cracking risk of concrete. However, few studies were addressing the autogenous deformation (AD) of early-age concrete with the combination of CEA and reinforcement. This paper focuses on the effects of three different reinforcement ratios on the AD of early-age concrete with CEA addition. The experimental results showed that reinforcement could effectively reduce the concrete AS, and the reduction increased with age and reinforcement ratio. The AD of concrete incorporating CEA exhibited two stages: expansion and net AS. The reduction of reinforcement on AD decreased with CEA content. The equivalent degree of restraint increased with reinforcement ratio and decreased with CEA content. Based on the test data, a two-stage AD prediction model for concrete with reinforcement and CEA was established. The model was in good consonance with the experimental data.