Experimental Investigation of Residual Stress in the Concrete Caused by Volume Changes with Consideration of Environmental Effect

Abstract

This paper investigates such concrete properties which determine the stress magnitude of concrete caused by its volume changes. The magnitude of induced stress is given by shrinkage or swelling value and corresponding modulus of elasticity value. It is essential to know these properties of concrete from the beginning of its skeletal frame formation since the volume changes occur almost immediately after mixing of water with cement. In addition, the humidity effect of ambient environment when the early age concrete matured was considered. Thereby was achieved relevant comparison between ordinary concrete mixture and optimized one. For experiments was used micro-concrete (with maximum aggregate size 1.6 mm) with respect to cost reduction. After the suitable composition of micro-concrete was found the analogue investigation was carried out with the optimized concrete.