Integrated shrinkage,relative humidity,strength development,and cracking potential of internally cured concrete exposed to different drying conditions

Internal curing (IC) technology using prewetted lightweight fine aggregates (LWFAs) as additives has been proved an effective means for mitigating both autogenous shrinkage and early-age cracking under sealed curing conditions. However, for practical structures in the field, concrete experiences more complex environmental conditions compared to under sealed curing. To better utilize internal curing technology for durable concretes, this study conducts comprehensive investigations on both control and internally cured concretes at water/cement (w/c) ratio of 0.3 and 0.4 in terms of the influence of age when concrete is exposed to drying and the drying duration on the developments of integrated shrinkage, internal relative humidity, compressive and flexural strengths, mass loss, and cracking potential. The results are beneficial for producing internally cured concrete with increased resistance to early-age cracking and enhanced durability for infrastructure applications.     

Effect of water-to-cementitious materials ratio and silica fume on the autogenous shrinkage of concrete

This paper presents an experimental study on the autogenous shrinkage of Portland cement concrete (OPC) and concrete incorporating silica fume (SF). The results were compared with that of the total shrinkage (including drying shrinkage and part of the autogenous shrinkage) of the concrete specimens dried in 65% relative humidity after an initial moist curing of 7 days. The water-to-cementitious materials (w/c) ratio of the concrete studied was in the range of 0.26 to 0.35 and the SF content was in the range of 0% to 10% by weight of cement.The results confirmed that the autogenous shrinkage increased with decreasing w/c ratio, and with increasing SF content. The results showed that the autogenous shrinkage strains of the concrete with low w/c ratio and SF developed rapidly even at early ages. At the w/c ratio of 0.26, the autogenous shrinkage strains of the SF concrete were more than 100 micro strains at 2 days. For all the concretes studied, 60% or more of the autogenous shrinkage strain up to 98 days occurred in the first 2 weeks after concrete casting. The results indicated that most of the total shrinkage of the concrete specimens with very low w/c ratio and SF exposed to 65% relative humidity after an initial moist curing of 7 days did not seem to be due to the drying shrinkage but due to the autogenous shrinkage.     

Internal curing by superabsorbent polymers in ultra-high performance concrete

To limit self-desiccation and autogenous shrinkage that may lead to early-age cracking of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), internal curing by means of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) may be employed. Cement pastes and UHPC with water-to-cement ratio below 0.25, with or without SAP, were studied. The absorption capacity of a solution-polymerized SAP was first determined on hardened cement pastes by SEM image analysis. It was observed that the SAP cavities become partially filled with portlandite during cement hydration. Isothermal calorimetry showed that water entrainment with SAP delays the main hydration peak, while after a couple of days it increases the degree of hydration in a manner similar to increasing the water-to-cement ratio. Internal curing by SAP is effective in reducing the internal relative humidity decrease and the autogenous shrinkage. Although the mechanical properties are affected by SAP addition, it is possible to reach compressive strengths of almost 150 MPa at 28 days.     

预湿水泥浆颗粒内养护材料对混凝土早期自收缩及抗压强度的影响

制备不同粒径和水灰比的水泥浆颗粒作为低水灰比混凝土内养护材料.以最佳内养护水灰比原则,设计了使用三种水灰比分别为0.6、0.7和0.8的同粒径水泥浆颗粒等体积取代砂子的混凝土.研究了不同水灰比水泥浆颗粒对混凝土早期自收缩、抗压强度和内部微结构的影响.结果表明:颗粒吸水率与其水灰比正相关、与其粒径负相关;预湿水泥浆颗粒可显著降低混凝土早期的自收缩,颗粒水灰比越大,自收缩降低效果越明显;但是掺入水泥浆颗粒也会降低混凝土的抗压强度,颗粒水灰比越高抗压强度降低越多,应用中应优化选择预湿颗粒的水灰比;水泥浆颗粒作为高性能混凝土内养护材料,可改善微观界面的孔隙结构,提高界面的密实性,减少混凝土早期的收缩和开裂.     

Prediction of self-desiccation in low water-to-cement ratio pastes based on pore structure evolution

High-performance concrete is sensitive to early-age cracking, mainly due to its rapidly-developing autogenous shrinkage. Autogenous shrinkage and internal relative humidity (RH) decrease are direct consequences of the emptying of capillary pores due to cement hydration in low water-to-cement ratio concretes. To predict early-age cracking, it is desirable to model the evolution of the internal RH, and the accompanying autogenous shrinkage, based on the microstructure evolution.In this paper, the pore size distribution of cement pastes measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry and the chemical shrinkage are used as input data for calculating the internal RH of Portland cement pastes with different water-to-cement ratios (0.30, 0.35 and 0.40). The composition of the extracted pore solution is also taken into account. The measured RH can be predicted with good accuracy (mostly within 1–2% RH). However, a number of sources of error both in the experiments and in the analysis need to be identified and controlled.     

Autogenous and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag mortars

Shrinkage of alkali-activated slag (AAS) cement is a critical issue for its industrial application. This study investigated the mechanisms and effectiveness of shrinkage-reducing agent (SRA) and magnesia expansive agent on reducing autogenous and drying shrinkage of AAS mortars that were activated by liquid sodium silicate (LSS) solution with modulus (SiO₂/Na₂O molar ratio) of 0-1.5. The results showed that the autogenous shrinkage of AAS mortars increased with the increase of LSS modulus from 0 to 0.5, then decreased as modulus increased up to 1.5. The drying shrinkage consistently increased with the increase in the modulus of LSS. The oxyalkylene alcohol-based SRA could significantly reduce the autogenous and drying shrinkage of AAS mortars while the magnesia expensive agent was comparatively less effective. The autogenous shrinkage of AAS mortars was inversely proportional to the internal relative humidity, while the drying shrinkage was more related to the mass loss of samples. Mathematical models were established to describe the autogenous and drying shrinkage behavior of AAS mortars.     

圆环法研究再生微粉混凝土收缩性能

采用圆环试验方法研究了再生微粉掺合料对混凝土收缩开裂趋势的影响,并测定了再生微粉混凝土早期干燥收缩性能。试验结果表明,圆环试验能给混凝土提供了完全的、均匀的约束,能合理评价混凝土抵抗自收缩和干燥收缩综合作用开裂的能力。再生微粉掺合料能明显降低混凝土收缩开裂趋势及干燥收缩性能;且微粉细度越大,再生微粉混凝土抗收缩抗裂性能越好。试验结合SEM试验结果,分析了再生微粉掺合料减小水泥基材料收缩开裂趋势的原因。     

Water absorption in internally cured mortar made with water-filled lightweight aggregate

The increased propensity for shrinkage cracking in low water-to-cement ratio (w/c) concrete has inspired the development of new technologies that can reduce the risk of early-age cracking. One of these is internal curing. Internal curing uses saturated lightweight aggregate to supply ‘curing water’ to low w/c paste as it hydrates. Significant research has been performed to determine the effects of internal curing on shrinkage and stress development; however, relatively little detailed information exists about the effects of internal curing on fluid transport properties such as water absorption or diffusivity. This study examines the absorption of water into mortar specimens made with saturated lightweight aggregates (SLWA). These results indicate that the inclusion of SLWA can reduce the water absorption of mortar specimens. This observation was reinforced with electrical conductivity measurements that exhibited similar reductions.     

Shrinkage and Interior Humidity of Concrete under Dry–Wet Cycles

The dry–wet cycle is one of the aggressive environmental conditions suffered by concrete. This article focuses on the experimental study and theoretical simulation of shrinkage of concrete during dry–wet cycles. The experimental results show that the interior relative humidity of concrete is periodically changed during dry–wet cycles. As concrete undergoes wetting, a fast increase in interior humidity takes place in a short time and then the relative humidity reaches a stable level, which depends on the strength of concrete or on the water-to-cement ratio of concrete. In contrast, as concrete undergoes drying, the interior relative humidity does not drop immediately but decreases in a gradual manner. Accordingly, the shrinkage of concrete during dry–wet cycles is also periodically changed, exhibiting shrinkage as drying and expansion as wetting. Based on the experimental findings, a model for shrinkage predictions of concrete during dry–wet cycles is developed. The model is based on the capillary tension created in capillary pores in concrete and uses the interior relative humidity (RH) as the driving parameter for shrinkage predictions. The model predictions on the development of shrinkage strain under plastic sealed and dry–wet conditions are compared with experimental results and a reasonable agreement was found.     

Autogenous deformations of cement pastes: Part I. Temperature effects at early age and micro-macro correlations

A micro-macro experimental study has been performed, from the end of mixing up to 2 years, on a set of plain cement pastes prepared with the same type I ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and various water-to-cement ratios (W/C), and cured at various constant temperatures. In this part I of the paper, volumetric autogenous shrinkage has been analysed in relation to various parameters characterizing the hydration process: chemical shrinkage, degree of hydration of the cement, Ca(OH)₂ content and Vicat setting times, within the early-age period (≤24 h). The effects of the curing temperature (ranging from 10 up to 50 °C) have in particular been investigated. Its effects recorded on both the rate and the magnitude of volumetric autogenous shrinkage vs. time have pointed out the irrelevance of the usual maturity concept to describe such phenomenon within the whole early-age period. An improved maturity concept has hence been proposed. It is based on separating the early-age period in different phases and on using chemical shrinkage data for the calculation of the apparent activation energy applied to the prediction of autogenous deformations occurring after the setting period. Furthermore, micro-macro relationships have been pointed out, illustrating in particular the determining role of Ca(OH)₂.     

超细矿渣粉和偏高岭土对硫铝酸盐水泥早期收缩性能的影响

通过开展化学收缩、自收缩与干燥收缩试验,研究了超细矿渣粉和偏高岭土对硫铝酸盐水泥早期收缩性能的影响。结果表明,掺入超细矿渣粉与偏高岭土会增大水泥浆体的内部相对湿度,能有效抑制水泥浆体的化学收缩、自收缩与干燥收缩,且掺量越大,抑制效果越明显,根据水泥浆体的内部相对湿度能够大致判断其自收缩的变化规律。掺入超细矿渣粉与偏高岭土会加快硫铝酸盐水泥的早期水化,使化学收缩变化速率达到峰值的时间提前。当超细矿渣粉的掺量为20%(质量分数,下同)或偏高岭土的掺量为10%、20%时,与空白组相比水泥浆体的7 d自收缩分别减小了42.21%、35.89%和63.73%,7 d干燥收缩分别减小了24.89%、16.42%和30.87%。在相同掺量条件下,掺入偏高岭土的水泥浆体化学收缩、自收缩与干燥收缩显著小于掺入超细矿渣粉的水泥浆体。自收缩与线性化学收缩的比值随龄期的增长而减小,掺入超细矿渣粉与偏高岭土后,自收缩与线性化学收缩的比值进一步减小。     

Autogenous shrinkage of concrete: a balance between autogenous swelling and self-desiccation

According to physical analyses, the driving force of autogenous shrinkage of concrete is the change in the capillary pressure induced by self-desiccation in its cement matrix. Self-desiccation is caused by the balance between the absolute volume reduction (chemical shrinkage) and the building up of the capillary network. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of the cement characteristics on the chain of mechanisms leading from hydration to autogenous deformations. Four parameters were selected: (i) for clinker, the amount of C₃A and free lime and the SO₃/K₂O ratio; (ii) for cement, the fineness. To master the experimental area, 16 cements were prepared at the laboratory from pure raw materials. An important number of characterizing techniques were used in the experimental study. Their choice was based on the important parameters drawn from the physical analysis: setting time, suspension-solid transition, hydration kinetics through isothermal calorimetry and nonevaporable water, chemical shrinkage, evolution of relative humidity, capillary porosity and autogenous shrinkage. Using different techniques allowed to determine the precise mechanism of action of each parameter. Results showed that these mechanisms are generally different, even if their macroscopic consequences may be identical. This point will probably be useful for modeling and determining the industrial keys reducing the autogenous shrinkage. The physical mechanisms involved in autogenous deformations were further understood. In particular, this study shows that initial autogenous shrinkage should be considered as a balance between the self-desiccation and an initial swelling phase. The influence of the four parameters considered on this last phenomenon were also characterized.     

轻骨料对混凝土自养护减缩效率的影响

通过测试不同配合比轻骨料混凝土的早期自收缩与长期干缩行为,研究轻骨料性能对混凝土自养护减缩效率的影响.结果表明:陶粒的预湿程度与释水能力对于混凝土自养护减缩效率的影响显著;随着预湿程度的增加早期自收缩减小,自养护减缩效率提高;饱和预湿的宾县页岩陶粒自养护减缩效率为39.1%,陶砂影响规律与其相似,但效率更高.实验中采用130kg/m3掺量的饱和预湿陶砂,自养护减缩效率可达95.6%.     

石粉对自密实混凝土收缩性能的影响

为了研究石粉对自密实混凝土收缩性能的影响,设计了不同水胶比和石粉质量分数的试验,得到了水胶比为0.30、0.34、0.37,石粉质量分数为0%、10%、20%时自密实混凝土28 d龄期内自收缩和干燥收缩的变化规律。结果表明:自收缩随着水胶比的减小而增大,随着石粉质量分数的增加而增大;水胶比在0.30~0.37时,其对干燥收缩的影响不大;适量的石粉对干燥收缩几乎无影响,当石粉质量分数达到20%时,干燥收缩明显增大。在试验的基础上提出了考虑水胶比和石粉质量分数影响的自密实混凝土自收缩与干燥收缩预测模型。     

轻质骨料对泡沫混凝土性能的影响及其内养护机制

为降低泡沫混凝土干燥收缩,采用轻质骨料(页岩陶粒及粉煤灰陶粒)制备泡沫混凝土,研究了轻质骨料对泡沫混凝土抗压强度、干燥收缩、内部湿度及孔结构等的影响,并分析了轻质骨料的内养护机制。结果表明,轻质骨料能够调节泡沫混凝土的内部湿度,约束基体的变形,降低泡沫混凝土的干燥收缩。而轻质骨料也会在泡沫混凝土中引入缺陷,导致其强度降低。轻质骨料中大于100 nm的墨水瓶孔是内养护效果的控制因素,大于100 nm的墨水瓶孔数量越多,轻质骨料释水能力越强,内养护效果越好,制备的泡沫混凝土干燥收缩越小。     

Will wind always boost early-age shrinkage of cement paste?

Immediately after casting, the occurrence of early age shrinkage is sensitive to internal stresses, degree of hydration, and tensile strength, which is of concern to engineers. This study investigated the influences of wind speeds on early-age shrinkage and tensile strength (strain) of cement paste, and the results were further interpreted by an investigation of hydration degree and capillary water. The outcomes show that as the wind speed increased, the shrinkages (i.e., drying, chemical, and autogenous shrinkage) experienced various trends depending on several factors. Meanwhile, a variety of wind speeds altered the proportion of the evaporation in the capillary water, the inner moisture distribution, and the humidity difference between specimens’ surface and their interior sections. Further, tensile strength and elastic modulus were deteriorated by wind, whereas with the growth of the wind speed, the ultimate tensile strain of specimens exhibited various scenarios within and after 24 h.     

Water consumption of the early-age paste and the determination of “time-zero” of self-desiccation shrinkage

Self-desiccation shrinkage (SDS) is closely related to the interior water consumption and the relative humidity (IRH) drop in the cement paste. Substantial self-desiccation shrinkage has been observed at very early-age for high performance concrete. However, it is difficult to investigate the IRH by conventional method of hygrometer at this time because the materials are still in the superhygroscopic range. In this paper, an automatically measuring system of meniscus depression is developed on the base of the mechanism of tensiometer and Laplace formula. The interior water consumption and the IRH changing within the paste could be automatically monitored at the very early-age (here specially refers to the stage from the beginning of casting till several hours after final setting). By using this system, the effects of water to binder ratio and replacement of cement by fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag on the self-desiccation were investigated for the very early-age cement paste. Experimental results could potentially explain the mechanism of the SDS at very early-age as well as determine the “time-zero” of SDS corresponding to its definition.     

Autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete containing silica fume under drying at early ages

The present study investigated experimentally autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete containing silica fume under drying at early ages. The influence of drying on hydration of cementitious materials in the high-strength concrete with water-binder ratios of 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 was evaluated based on bound water content (BWC), which was exposed to drying at the ages of 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 days, respectively. By establishing the relationship between the BWC and autogenous shrinkage strain under sealed conditions, autogenous shrinkage strain under drying conditions and drying shrinkage strain were separated from total shrinkage strain, and, then, the contribution of autogenous shrinkage in total shrinkage was discussed. The results showed that the percentage of autogenous shrinkage was macroscopically 50-20% based on the present method, while that was 70-30% based on the conventional superposition principle (SP). The latter resulted in overestimating autogenous shrinkage strain under drying conditions.     

混凝土超早期收缩试验与模拟

通过测定混凝土早期变形随龄期的发展规律,定义了基于变形的凝结时间和基于内部湿度发展的临界时间,研究了3个强度等级混凝土的凝结时间和临界时间随水胶比的变化规律,并对湿度饱和期收缩进行了模拟。结果表明：混凝土水胶比越大,凝结时间越长,临界时间也越长,湿度饱和期收缩越小;凝结时间与临界时间之差随水胶比的减小而减小;基于水泥水化程度和刚度修正的混凝土早期收缩模型,能够反映混凝土早期收缩发展特征,模拟结果与试验结果吻合良好,模型可以较好地预测混凝土湿度饱和期收缩的发展。     

Mechanosorptive Creep of Hemlock under Conventional Drying: I. The Determination of Free Shrinkage Strain

The dynamic free shrinkage behavior of Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) was investigated in order to provide the theoretical basis for the determination of drying mechanosoptive creep mechanism. Small specimens taken from five distinct positions within a log were dried at three constant temperatures (40, 60, and 80°C) and stepwise decreasing relative humidity conditions and their free shrinkage strain S in the tangential and radial directions was determined. The anisotropic shrinkage ratios G were also calculated and analyzed as functions of moisture content and temperature. The influential mechanism of the drying temperature, moisture range, and specimen position on the free shrinkage behavior was revealed. Two different function types were chosen to simulate the relationship between the free shrinkage strain and its variables (temperature, moisture, wood positions) for the specified moisture ranges.