Shrinkage Of Concrete Research Articles

Effect of graphene oxide on mechanical, deformation and drying shrinkage properties of concrete reinforced with fly ash as cementitious material by using RSM modelling

The industrial production of cement contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, making it crucial to address and reduce these emissions by using fly ash (FA) as a potential replacement. Besides, Graphene oxide (GO) was utilized as nanoparticle in concrete to augment its mechanical characteristics, deformation resistance, and drying shrinkage behaviours. However, the researchers used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to evaluate the compressive strength (CS), tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (ME), and drying shrinkage (DS) of concrete that was mixed with 5–15% FA at a 5% increment, along with 0.05%, 0.065%, and 0.08% of GO as potential nanomaterials. The concrete samples were prepared by using mix proportions of design targeted CS of about 45 MPa at 28 days. From investigational outcomes, the concrete with 10% FA and 0.05% GO exhibited the greatest CS, TS, FS, and ME values of 62 MPa, 4.96 MPa, 6.82 MPa, and 39.37 GPa, on 28 days correspondingly. Besides, a reduction in the DS of concrete was found as the amounts of FA and GO increased. Moreover, the development and validation of response prediction models were conducted utilizing analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 95%. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for the models varied from 94 to 99.90%. Research study indicated that including 10% fly ash (FA) as a substitute for cement, when combined with 0.05% GO, in concrete yields the best results. Therefore, this approach is an excellent option for the building sector.

Effects of nano MgO and light-burnt MgO on mechanical properties and long-term expansion of paste mixed with Portland cement and slag

Nano MgO and light-burnt MgO were added into pastes mixed with Portland cement and slag to compensate for the shrinkage of mass concrete. The results indicated that an increased nano MgO content improved strength within a certain range. The strength of group with 8 % nano MgO increased by 12 % and 8 % under autoclaving and water curing, respectively, while increased light-burned MgO content deteriorated strength. The nano MgO-based group exhibited enhanced compressive strength and smaller expansion than the light-burnt MgO-based group, due to its higher efficiency of filling pores by uniformly distributed brucite. Moreover, MgO hydration mainly occurred within 365 d of water curing, and nano MgO and light-burnt MgO were fully hydrated at 730 d. Overall, this study provided the theoretical basis for adding nano-MgO and light-burnt MgO to compensate for the shrinkages of mass concrete on a large scale.

Performance Evaluation of Foamed Concrete with Lightweight Aggregate: Strength, Shrinkage, and Thermal Conductivity.

Lightweight concrete offers numerous advantages for modular construction, including easier construction planning and logistics, and the ability to offset additional dead loads induced by double-wall and double-slab features. In a previous study, authors proposed incorporating lightweight aggregate into foamed concrete instead of adding extra foam to achieve lower density, resulting in lightweight concrete with an excellent strength-to-density ratio. This paper further investigated the performance aspects of foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate beyond mechanical strength. To evaluate the effect of aggregate type and foam content, three mix compositions were designed for the lightweight concrete. Specimens were prepared for experimental tests on thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage of lightweight concrete. Results showed that while both the increase in foam volume and the incorporation of lightweight aggregate led to higher drying shrinkage, they also contributed to improved insulating properties and reduced potential of cracking. Using typical multi-storey modular residential buildings in Hong Kong and three other Chinese cities as case studies, simulations were performed to assess potential savings in annual cooling and heating loads by employing the proposed lightweight concrete. These findings demonstrate the practical benefits of using foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate in modular construction and provide valuable insights for further optimization and implementation.

Research Progress in the Application of Calcium-based Expansive Agents as Compensation for Autogenous Shrinkage in High-strength Concrete

In this study, comprehensive investigation of the shrinkage compensation mechanisms of calcium-based expansive agents (CEAs), their effects on the properties of (ultra) high-strength concrete (HSC/UHSC), and the existing problems in applying this methodology was conducted. Analyses showed that the rational use of CEAs under certain conditions could greatly or completely inhibit the development of autogenous shrinkage of HSC/UHSC, and significantly reduce the risk of associated cracking. However, it was found that the hydration of the CEAs affected the hydration process of other binders, thereby altering the microstructure of concrete. This was in turn observed to lead to a degree of decrease in compressive strength, flexure strength and elastic modulus, and the decrease rate increasing as with the rise in proportion of CEAs. Moreover, when attempting to improve the shrinkage compensation effects, increasing the amount of CEA presented a risk of delayed expansion cracking of HSC/UHSC. Neither the expansion mechanism, expansion conditions, nor the inhibition methods have yet been fully clarified in the current stage. Lastly, newly proposed Ca-Mg composite EAs were outlined, and the research prospects of Ca-Mg composite EAs in HSC/UHSC were explored.

Influence of low vacuum and high temperature condition on moisture transport and dry shrinkage of mature concrete

Low vacuum and high temperature typically promote the evaporation of moisture and exacerbate concrete shrinkage cracking, which highlights the issue of volume stability for concrete materials in some engineering environments (e.g. the operational environment of ultra-high-speed train in the low-vacuum tube). To evaluate its impact on moisture transport and drying shrinkage of mature concrete, different air pressure and temperature conditions were selected and the correspondent experiments of investigating moisture loss, internal relative humidity, and drying shrinkage after exposure were conducted. And the evolution of different types of moisture, hydration degree, pore structure, and morphology of matrix was analyzed through microscopic testing methods. Experimental results present that compared to the standard drying condition, the moisture loss and drying shrinkage of concrete under low vacuum and high temperature condition increased by more than 48.5 % and 77.4 % respectively. There exists a strong correlation between moisture loss and drying shrinkage of matrix after low vacuum and high temperature exposure. Besides, compared to the sole effect of low vacuum, the coupling effect of low vacuum and high temperature has a more significant impact on the moisture transport and drying shrinkage of concrete. Among them, after prolonged exposure to low vacuum and high temperature, the internal relative humidity of matrix drops to 50 %∼60 %, and the corresponding critical aperture reduces to 1.0–1.5 nm, thereby significantly increasing the shrinkage stress of concrete. Furthermore, low vacuum and high temperature condition reduces the content of capillary water, gel water, and chemically combined water, and leads to the loss of moisture in smaller pores. In addition, for mature concrete, low vacuum and high temperature condition not only impedes cement hydration but also induces the coarsening of pore structure, resulting in an increase in the number of macropores and pores around 50 nm, which correlates highly with the evolution of drying shrinkage.

Experimental and FEM study on the feasibility of PBL connectors in the composite cable-pylon anchorage zone of cable-stayed bridge

This study investigates the joint between the steel wall plate and the concrete pylon wall in the cable-pylon anchorage zone of cable-stayed bridges, utilizing perfobond rib (PBL) connectors. Finite element analysis (FEM) was conducted on the steel wall plate-concrete joint under various conditions, including cable force, concrete shrinkage, overall warming, and overall cooling, with PBL connectors modeled as spring elements. The results indicate that vertical shear force in the PBL connectors peaks in the steel bracket web plates, with cable force and concrete shrinkage having the most significant impact on stress. Scaled-down local model tests and corresponding solid element FEM analysis were performed to evaluate the load performance of these joints. During tests, deformation between the steel plate and concrete wall remained minimal, and no cracks appeared under loads up to 1.7 times the design load. The ultimate load capacity was 2.9 times the design load, with failure occurring through pullout damage. FEM analysis showed good agreement with test results, and overall stress levels remained low, meeting design requirements. Material yielding only occurred in joint areas under large loads, confirming the feasibility of PBL connectors in composite cable-pylon anchorage zones.

Numerical Investigation of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Columns Strengthened with Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) Jackets.

The strengthening of existing columns using additional reinforced concrete (RC) jackets is one of the most popular techniques for the enhancement of a column's stiffness, load-bearing capacity and ductility. Important parameters affecting the effectiveness of this method are the strength of the additional concrete, concrete shrinkage and the connection between the old and the new concrete. In this study, the application of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) jackets for the structural upgrade of RC columns has been examined. Extensive numerical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of parameters such as the thickness of the jacket, concrete shrinkage and the addition of steel bars, and comparisons have been made with conventional RC jackets. The results of this study indicate that the use of UHPFRC can considerably improve the strength and the stiffness of existing reinforced concrete columns. The combination of UHPFRC and steel bars in the jacket leads to the most effective strengthening technique as a significant enhancement in the stiffness and the ultimate load capacity has been achieved.

Theoretical and simulation study on the vibration modes of shear walls in prefabricated modular construction

Abstract As prefabricated construction advances, the enhanced informatization and the industrialized modular construction method of MIC (Modular integrated construction) shear walls have been widely applied in real projects. MIC shear walls are generally made up of prefabricated wall modules with varying strength grades, using concrete of various ages, and are combined with cast-in-place concrete. Due to the unique construction requirements of these walls, defects such as interfacial delamination and internal voids might occur, arising from factors like concrete shrinkage and creep, complex interfacial structures, inadequate compaction during vibration, and construction process issues. Since these interfacial defects cannot be visually inspected from the exterior, developing non-destructive testing (NDT) methods specifically for detecting such defects in shear walls becomes an urgent necessity. This paper utilizes a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation to explore the vibration modes of MIC shear walls with hidden defects. First, a theoretical model is proposed for the local vibration modes of MIC shear wall shells with consideration of interfacial delamination defects. Then, a numerical simulation model is established based on MIC shear wall construction and defect features to simulate the vibration behavior accurately. Finally, after examining the theoretical and simulated vibration characteristics of MIC shear walls, a significant theoretical foundation is established for identifying interfacial defects in MIC shear walls.

Effects of cooking oil on the shrinkage-reducing of high-strength concrete

Autogenous shrinkage is a serious problem for high-strength concrete, which may lead to early-age cracking. Shrinkage-reducing agents are typically used to mitigate the autogenous shrinkage of concrete. However, some negative effects, such as unstable workability and the reduction of compressive strength, will be caused. In this study, emulsified or plain cooking oil is used as a shrinkage-reducing agent in low water-binder ratio concrete. Deformational behaviours of concrete with cooking oil and normal commercially available shrinkage-reducing agent are investigated. Experimental results show that the utilization of cooking oil could significantly reduce the autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete due to the reduction of surface tension. Additionally, emulsified cooking oil is better than normal shrinkage-reducing agents and plain cooking oil in many aspects of the concrete. Micro-structure of the concrete with different shrinkage-reducing agents is also observed. Emulsified cooking oil is considered a promising admixture for the mitigation of autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete.

Experimental Study on the Detection of the Existence and Location of Mimicked and Unexpected Interface Debonding Defects in an Existing Rectangular CFST Column with PZT Materials.

Interface bonding conditions between concrete and steel materials play key roles in ensuring the composite effect and load-carrying capacity of concrete-steel composite structures such as concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) members in practice. A method using both surface wave and electromechanical impedance (EMI) measurement for detecting the existence and the location of inaccessible interface debonding defects between the concrete core and steel tube in CFST members using piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches as actuators and sensors is proposed. A rectangular CFST specimen with two artificially mimicked interface debonding defects was experimentally verified using PZT patches as the actuator and sensor. By comparing the surface wave measurement of PZT sensors at different surface wave travelling paths under both a continuous sinusoidal signal and a 10-period sinusoidal windowed signal, three potential interface debonding defects are quickly identified. Furthermore, the accurate locations of the three detected potential interface debonding defects are determined with the help of EMI measurements from a number of additional PZT sensors around the three potential interface debonding defects. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed interface debonding detection method is verified with a destructive observation by removing the local steel tube at the three detected interface debonding locations. The observation results show that the three detected interface debonding defects are two mimicked interface debonding defects, and an unexpected debonding defect occurred spontaneously due to concrete shrinkage in the past one and a half years before conducting the test. Results in this study indicate that the proposed method can be an efficient and accurate approach for the detection of unknown interface debonding defects in existing CFST members.

Forensic Analysis on Damage of a Cable-Stayed Bridge without Backstays Using BIM Information

Serious cracks were found in the pylon of a cable-stayed bridge without backstays. Based on forensic damage investigation, this paper uses the finite element (FE) method incorporating Building Information Modeling (BIM) to analyze the causes of cracking. The BIM model is established based on the survey of design, construction, and service information of the bridge. Then, FE analysis is conducted using BIM information. Finally, the causes of cracking in different regions of the pylon are explained in detail. The results show that the FE simulation agrees well with the inspected distribution of cracks, and the causes of cracks are closely related to the pylon construction process. The main cause of the cracks is the shrinkage difference between concrete segments of different ages. The anchorage effect of stayed cables also causes inclined cracks perpendicular to the cable direction. The combination of temperature load and concrete shrinkage results in cracks at the root of the pylon, and the reduction in cable forces exacerbates the cracking.

Preparation and properties of porous rice husk ash for internal curing of high performance cement pastes

To address the challenges posed by significant autogenous shrinkage in high-performance concrete and mitigate the adverse effects of conventional internal curing materials on its mechanical properties, this study explored the potential use of rice husk ash (RHA) as internal curing materials. The research investigated the impact of combustion regime (combustion temperature and dwelling time) and the milling process on the microstructure and physical-chemical properties of RHA. Moreover, the effect of RHA on autogenous shrinkage, compressive strength, and microstructure in cement pastes were also reported. Experimental results demonstrated that the combustion regime and milling time could significantly affect the pore structure, particle size and pozzolanic activity of RHA. RHA had good potential for internal curing when it was burned at 600°C for 1 h and milled for 15–30 min. RHA released the entrained water after 12 h to slow down the depletion of free water, and thus inhibited the development of self-drying and autogenous shrinkage. The 168 h shrinkage was reduced by 56.8 %, 62 %, and 51.8 %, respectively when the milling time increased to 30 min. Moreover, the addition of RHA with a smaller particle size could refine the microstructure of matrix and enhance the compressive strength due to its higher pozzolanic activity. These findings suggest promising applications for RHA as an effective internal curing material in high-performance cementitious materials.

Plastic-sleeve test method to measure autogenous and drying shrinkage in paste, mortar, and concrete: Test Results

The Plastic-Sleeve Test (PST) method of molding cylindrical specimens in plastic sleeves enables the measurement of autogenous and total shrinkage of pastes, mortars, and concretes. Photogrammetric tests confirmed that the linear support of the specimens with a temporary bottom support mold does not restrain deformation. Tests were performed to compare the PST versus corrugated tube methods and similar relative humidity and autogenous shrinkage results were obtained. The PST shows comparable CoV values to those of the corrugated tube test. The method presented provides solid circular cross-section samples, enabling control over entrapped air content, specimen shape, and bleeding effects, thereby ensuring the measurement method’s high repeatability. The PST showed a tighter seal than prismatic samples molded for total shrinkage testing according to EN 1367-4. Results indicate that the PST can effectively be used for molding samples intended for total shrinkage measurement. It is concluded that the PST method is an effective method to measure autogenous shrinkage and total shrinkage of cementitious materials.

Full-scale experiment on the bearing and deformation characteristics for prestressed double-layered shield tunnel linings under high internal pressure

To investigate the bearing mechanism for two types of circular anchorage prestressed double-layered shield tunnel lining under high internal pressure, a set of loading systems and measuring schemes were dedicatedly designed for the standing full-scale lining model. The results show that when the internal pressure reaches 1.10 MPa, the proportion of internal pressure transferred to the outer lining begins to increase with the expansion of the inner lining. When the internal pressure reaches 1.30 MPa, the local cracking of the inner lining will cause structural stiffness variation and stress redistribution, leading to a further increase in the proportion of internal pressure transferred to the outer lining. In addition, the detached bearing structure makes better use of prestress and has a higher bearing capacity, but lower engineering material economy than the combined bearing structure. For the combined bearing structure, there is an initial gap between the inner and outer lining at the left and right arch due to the prestress tensioning and concrete shrinkage. Moreover, it can give full play to the bearing performance of the segment and surrounding rock, thus optimizing the diameter of the prestressed steel strands. However, the initial gap has a certain influence on load-transferring, and it is necessary to control the concrete shrinkage and adopt the backfill grouting.

Performance of capsules in self-healing early-age concrete due to restrained shrinkage

Performance of capsules in concrete was evaluated numerically using a simulated ASTM C1581 restrained shrinkage test and experimentally measured concrete shrinkage strain data to determine their effectiveness in healing cracks in early-age concrete. The model accounts for the concrete’s time-dependent mechanical properties, and the capsule’s geometrical and mechanical properties, and depth. A finite element model was developed to simulate the concrete volume change due to autogenous and drying shrinkage and the corresponding state of stress, and fracture mechanics to trace crack initiation and propagation in a restrained shrinkage ring. The performance of capsules in self-healing early-age concrete was found to depend on the capsules’ geometry, the stiffness ratio of concrete-to-capsule, and bond strength-to-rupture strength ratio of concrete-to-capsule. Results reveal that corresponding ratios of concrete effective stiffness and bond strength at 28 days to the stiffness and rupture strength of the capsules provide a threshold limit after which capsules debond in self-healing early-age concrete.

CALCULATED DETERMINATION OF CHARACTERISTICS OF SHRINKAGE AND TOUCH OF CONCRETE

Raising of problem. When calculating concrete and reinforced concrete structures, it is necessary to take into account the shrinkage and creep of concrete, which are not a minor factor. Because during long-term operation of such structures, these factors can significantly change the stress-strain state of structures over time and lead to the appearance of extreme deformations, cracks and their destruction. Therefore, when designing concrete and reinforced concrete structures, it is necessary to take into account the influence of shrinkage and creep of concrete. To do this, the designer must have the parameters included in the equations and calculation formulas. There are numerous of parameters and they are determined experimentally and depend on many factors. However, the designer must have these parameters even when there is no experimental data on the material and design, but when the material (strength class) has already been specified. Thus, there is a need to calculate the required parameters based on the main factors. The simplest computational determination of the creep characteristics of concrete is possible using the theory of aging at a constant modulus of elasticity of concrete, which partially takes into account the aftereffect (reversibility) of creep deformations. We will call such a theory the technical theory of aging and it operates with the smallest number of parameters (2 in total) and only one creep curve at the initial load age t0, and not with a family of these curves. Purpose. Development of theoretical solutions and practical methods for taking into account the design characteristics of shrinkage and creep of concrete in building design standards. Conclusion. The work resulted in the development of a convenient for practical use linear theory of concrete creep − the technical theory of aging and the development on its basis of theoretical solutions and practical methods for taking into account the calculated characteristics of shrinkage and creep of concrete in building design standards.

Effect of Internal Curing with Superabsorbent Polymers on the Compressive Strength and Shrinkage of Concrete with Natural Volcanic Ash

Effect of Internal Curing with Superabsorbent Polymers on the Compressive Strength and Shrinkage of Concrete with Natural Volcanic Ash

Application of Multi-Channel Synchronized Dynamic Strain Gauges in Monitoring the Neutral Axis Position and Prestress Loss of Box Girder Bridges.

The aim of this paper was to explore the application of multi-channel synchronized dynamic strain gauges in monitoring the neutral axis (N.A.) position of prestressed concrete box girders. The N.A. position has recently been proposed as an indicator for monitoring the health of bridge structures. Laboratory experiments were conducted on a prestressed T-beam under different prestress level conditions to investigate the correlation between the prestress magnitude and the N.A. position. In the development of the multi-channel synchronized dynamic strain gauges, edge computing was employed to significantly reduce the amount of data transmitted from the sensor nodes on-site. In edge computing, only the dynamic strain response caused by the maximum vehicle load in each minute is transmitted. This approach greatly enhances the monitoring efficiency and enables the realization of on-site non-computer-based monitoring systems. The laboratory test results of the prestressed T-beam showed that the N.A. position tends to move slightly downward as the prestress force increases. In other words, when the prestress force decreases due to loss, the N.A. position exhibits a slight upward movement. This study selected a newly constructed prestressed box girder as the subject for on-site measurement of the N.A. position using multi-channel synchronized dynamic strain gauges shortly after the prestress was applied. The on-site monitoring data indeed revealed a gradual upward movement of the N.A. position. This phenomenon confirmed that soon after the completion of prestressed concrete bridges, there is a gradual loss of prestress due to the significant shrinkage and creep effects of the early-age concrete. The on-site monitoring result aligned with the findings from the laboratory experiments, where the N.A. position was observed to move upward as the prestress decreased.

Assessment of flexural response of RC beams and unrestrained shrinkage of fiber-reinforced high-volume fly ash-based no-aggregate concrete and self-compacting concrete

The use of industrial byproducts as a substitute for cement in concrete production to improve its properties is becoming a widespread practice in producing sustainable concrete. Although research around the world emphasizes higher substitution levels of fly ash (FA) to accrue the benefits from the microstructure refinement, no attempt has been made to study the deflection behavior and drying shrinkage of concrete that is devoid of aggregates while supplementing 80% of cement with class F fly ash (F-FA). Two types of concrete are used to cast full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) beams of size 150×300×2200 mm. The first type is a novel no aggregate concrete (NAC) made up of 80% F-FA and 20% ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The second type is high-volume fly ash self-compacting concrete (HVFASCC), which has 60% F-FA as a cement supplement and is equivalent in compressive strength to NAC. The NAC is reinforced with polypropylene fibers (PF) in three varying volume fractions: 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%. All the beams are tested under a simply supported four-point loading condition. The drying shrinkage strain and mass loss are measured for prisms of size 75×75×300 mm up to 220 days exposed at 20% relative humidity (RH) and 50 ºC temperature in a humidity oven for all the mixes. The mechanical properties are also assessed along with the water absorption (sorptivity). The results indicate that adding PF to the beams with NAC delays the formation of the first crack and improves the peak load, the ultimate load, and the ductility of the NAC beam. Additionally, the beams with PF exhibit lower mid-span deflection and ductile failure mode, improving the overall structural performance. Regarding drying shrinkage, the HVFASCC prisms record the lowest shrinkage strains of all mixes. Adding PF to NAC increases the initial and ultimate drying shrinkage strains. However, adding PF to NAC inhibits the rate of shrinkage strain over the test duration. This research enhances understanding of how PF affects no-aggregate concrete behavior, paving the way for more comprehensive construction materials.

Experimental Investigation on Ductility in Fly Ash Aggregate Concrete

Aggregate in concrete is structural filler, which occupies the most of the volume of the concrete The composition, shape and size of the aggregate have significant impact on the workability, durability, strength, weight and shrinkage of the concrete. In recent period some of the aggregates are chemically active and also that certain aggregates exhibit chemical bond at the interface of aggregate and paste. Aggregate occupy 60-80% of the volume of concrete is considerable. The utilization of fly ash in concrete as partial replacement of cement is gaining immense importance today, mainly on account of the improvement in the long term durability of concrete combined with ecological benefits. Three grades of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) are 33,43 and 53 as classified by Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) are commonly used in construction industry. The main variable investigated in this study is variation of fly ash dosage in 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. The compressive strength, durability and shrinkage of concrete were mainly studied. The fly ash is collected in Mettur Thermal Power Plant. Then the cement and fly ash proportions of 12.5:87.5, 15:85 and 17.5:82.5 will be adopted to get fly ash aggregates. The particle size distribution, specific gravity, bulk density, impact test on aggregate will be conducted. For the plain concrete and fly ash aggregate concrete of beams (Plain concrete and RCC beams), cubes and cylinders will be cast. All the specimens will be cured in a curing tank. The Ductility test and compressive strength test will be conducted on these plain and fly ash aggregate concrete specimens.