Report on Factors Affecting Shrinkage and Creep of Hardened Concrete

Description

Factors affecting shrinkage and creep of hardened concrete are presented to enable those involved in the evaluation and formulation of concrete mixtures to determine the effects of these factors. Section 1.2 of Chapter 1 defines terms used by those evaluating shrinkage and creep, while Chapters 2 and 3describe effects of various factors on shrinkage and creep. This document does not include information on the prediction of shrinkage and creep or structural design issues associated with shrinkage and creep.

This document is not intended as a primary reference source for those studying shrinkage and creep; rather, it is aimed at designers who wish to gain further understanding of the effects of materials being used. This document also provides references that provide direction for those wishing to seek additional information about shrinkage and creep.

Shrinkage and creep may occur in three dimensions; however, most research suggests that total strain, shrinkage, and creep occur in each dimension independently. Thus, changes in length will be consistently used throughout this document, rather than changes in volume.