Types Of Concrete Shrinkage | What Is Shrinkage Of Concrete


What Is Shrinkage Of Concrete?

The volumetric changes in concrete structures due to the loss of moisture by evaporation are known as concrete shrinkage or shrinkage of concrete. It is a time-dependent deformation that reduces the volume of concrete without the impact of external forces.

Types Of Concrete Shrinkage

The types of concrete shrinkage are listed below:

1. Plastic Shrinkage

CONCRETE SHRINKAGE
Plastic shrinkage crack

Plastic shrinkage occurs very soon after pouring the concrete into the forms. The hydration of cement results in a reduction in the volume of concrete due to evaporation from the surface of concrete, which leads to cracking.

2. Drying Shrinkage

The shrinkage that appears after the setting and hardening of the concrete mixture due to the loss of capillary water is known as drying shrinkage. Drying shrinkage generally occurs in the first few months and decreases with time.

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3. Carbonation Shrinkage

Carbonation shrinkage occurs due to the reaction of carbon dioxide (Co2) with the hydrated cement minerals, carbonating Ca(Oh)2 to CaCo3.

The carbonation slowly penetrates the outer surface of the concrete. This type of shrinkage mainly occurs at medium humidities and results in increased strength and reduced permeability.

4. Autogenous Shrinkage

Autogenous shrinkage occurs due to no moisture movement from concrete paste under constant temperature. It is a minor problem of concrete and can be ignored.

Factors Affecting Shrinkage Of Concrete

The shrinkage of concrete depends on several factors which are listed below.

1. Water-Cement Ratio

shrinkage is mostly influenced by the water-cement ratio of concrete. It increases with the increase in the water-cement ratio.

2. Environmental Condition

It is one of the major factors that affect the total volume of shrinkage. Shrinkage is mostly occurred due to the drying condition of the atmosphere. It increases with the decrease in humidity.

3. Time

The rate of shrinkage rapidly decreases with time. It is found that 14-34% of the 20 years shrinkage occurs in two weeks, 40-80% of shrinkage occurs in three months, and the rest 66-85% shrinkage occurs in one year.

4. Type of Aggregate

Aggregates with moisture movement and low elastic modulus cause large shrinkage. The rate of shrinkage generally decreases with the increase of the size of aggregates. It is found that concrete made from sandstone shrinks twice than that of concrete of limestone.

5. Admixtures:

The shrinkage increases with the addition of accelerating admixtures due to the presence of calcium chloride (CaCl2) in it And it can be reduced by lime replacement.

Other Factors:

  • The type and quantity of cement.
  • Granular and microbiological composition of aggregates.
  • The strength of concrete.
  • The method of curing.
  • The dimension of elements etc.
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5 thoughts on “Types Of Concrete Shrinkage | What Is Shrinkage Of Concrete”

  1. The information are excellent and very subjective. quite good for all CIVIL engineer to understand as language is easy.

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