Shape Correction Factor for Drying Shrinkage in a Concrete Cross-Section

• Published in: CONCREEP 10 pp. 100 - 107
• Main Authors: Taerwe, L, Criel, P, Caspeele, R, Reybrouck, N
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0784479348; 9780784479346
• DOI: 10.1061/9780784479346.013

A concrete member is subjected to loads for a long period of time, during which creep and shrinkage of concrete develop gradually. The prediction of this time-dependent behaviour is important as it may cause serious serviceability problems in concrete structures. A time-dependent analysis is commonly based on empirical equations according to design codes where the function describing the time dependent increment of shrinkage and creep is commonly, among others, defined based on the notional size of the element. In case of imbedded steel or insulated boundaries the moisture transport can be partially affected or prevented. Also, the geometry and size of the cross-section have an important effect on the shrinkage behaviour of a concrete member. Hence, the performance of commonly used empirical formulas may be improved by applying a correction factor on the notional size. In order to investigate the impact of these various factors on the net macroscopic shrinkage used in analysis and design, a discretized 2D physical model was developed. The model was used to simulate drying of a concrete cross-section by determining the moisture distribution in the cross-section as function of time.