Shrinkage in
Concrete
The Man Made Wonder Concrete
(A Detailed Insight)
By
Dr Naresh Kalaskar
Ph.D, P.E, S.E, C.Engg(I)
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~ Shrinkage in concrete
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Volume change is one of the most detrimental
properties of concrete, which affects the long- term
strength and durability.
The aspect of volume change in concrete is l=;:!#=:!:;:;;==;:;;~!!'--=!!:i:=::!
important from the point of view that it causes
unsightly cracks in concrete. ...-•-•.:;,-.,.._-
One of the important factors that contribute to the
cracks In floors and pavements is that due to c---........=--
shrinkage .t Dr
Now the question is how to reduce the shrinikage
and shrinkage cracks in concrete structures.
Causes of Shrinkage in concrete
Shrinkage is of 4 Types:
1) Plastic Shrinkage
2) Autogenous Shrinkage
3) Drying Shrinkage
4) carbonation Shrinkage
Plastic Shrinkage: Reason for shrinkage cracks
under plastic condition is due to
<• The water absorption from
the Aggregate
the concrete by I, .... I
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❖ The water evaporation from the surface of the JhJ
freshly laid concrete due to excess heat. ~~
~l Dr1Yr reshkalaskar
How To Control Plastic Shrinkage
Following are the methods to reduce
shrinkage in concrete:
❖ Preventing the rapid loss of water from
surface. This can be done by covering the
surface with polyethylene sheeting
immediately on finishing operation;
❖ By fog spray that keeps the surface moist
❖ By working at night. G1 l)rl\/,1reshKalt1sk{tr
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❖ Use of small quantity of aluminum powder
is also suggested to offset the effect of
plastic shrinkage.
Autogenous Shrinkage in Concrete
Drying
Autogenous shrinkage is an important I Shrinkage
phenomenon in young concrete. At low
water/cement ratios. less than about 0.42. all
the water is rapidly drawn into the hydration
process and the demand for more waiter
Thermal
creates very fine capillaries.
Plaatsc
Carbonation
The surface tension within the capillaries
causes autogenous shrinkage (sometimes
called chemical shrinkage) which can lead to
cracking. DrNareshk
Autogenous shrinkage can be important when
in situ concrete is placed over older concrete as
in various forms of hybrid construction. Euro
code 2 states that autogenous shrinkage
'should be considered specifically when new
concrete is cast against hardened concrete.
Drying Shrinkage in Concrete
Drying Shrinkage: It is the contraction of a
hardened concrete mixture due to the loss of
capillary water.
The withdrawal of the water from the concrete,
that Is stored within the unsaturated air voids EZ:~~
causes drying shrinkage.
The magnitude of drying shrinkage is also a
function of the fineness of gel. The finer the
gel the more is the shrinkage.
Most of the kinds of drying shrinkage take place
in the first few months of the concrete structure
life.
DrNareshkalaskar
The rate of this shrinkage will decrease with
time. Almost 14 to 34 % of the shrinkage occurs
in 2 weeks and 40 to 70 percent of the
shrinkage occurs within 3 months. Almost 80 %
shrinkage would have caused within one year. J
How To Control Drying Shrinkage
Following are the methods to reduce dry shrinkage j
In concrete: • jli'la . -
<· Water cement ratio should be in control to get I -
the required workability.
•> Use water reducing admixtures during mix
design.
•:• The Compaction should be proper.
❖ Have a clear understanding of the surrounding
where the concrete is being placed on. If the
surrounding is dry, the water in the concrete Is
soaked up and thereby shrinking It.
•> Proper curing should be done. In adverse
climatic conditions, suitable admixtures are
advised to use.
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~ Carbonation Shrinkage in Concrete
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~ The concrete cast has higher chances to react with
Carbonation of concrete is associated
~ the atmospheric gasses like carbon dioxide. This
~ reaction is carried out in the presence of moisture. with the corrosion of steel
~ This will result in the formation of carbonates
reinforcement and with shrinkage.
~ The calcium hydroxide in t'1e concrete, whic'1 is a by However, it also increases both the
product of hydration reaction will be found compressive and tensile strength of
enormous in the concrete. This calcium hydroxide concrete, so not all of its effects on
will react with the atmospheric carbon dioxide to concrete are bad.
give calcium carbonates.
This will lead to the conversion of the concrete
surface to get carbonated or acidic in nature. This
process is called as carbonation. DrN aresh
This creates shrinkage that is observed on the
surface. The carbonates that are formed by the
carbonation will result in filling up of the pores and
hence decrease the permeability.
