1.3 - Types of Creep
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Basic Creep
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Let's start by discussing basic creep. Basic creep occurs when Concrete is kept in a sealed environment with no moisture exchange. Can anyone tell me why this is significant?
Maybe because it shows how concrete can deform even without additional load?
Exactly! Since no moisture can enter or exit, it builds internal stress. It's essential to remember 'no moisture, no stability.' Now, what do you think the long-term effects on structures might be?
It could lead to cracks or failures in the structure over time, right?
Yes! That's spot on. As they say, 'creep along in silence; it could sink your building!' Let's move to the next type.
Drying Creep
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Now, let's talk about drying creep, also known as the Pickett Effect. Does anyone know what happens during this process?
Could it be when concrete loses moisture while it's under load?
Yes! Great observation. Drying can enhance creep significantly. Think of it as 'drowning in air' — if it dries out, the stresses increase. Why is it crucial to manage moisture during construction?
So we don't get unexpected deflections or failures later?
Correct! Drying creep is a silent assassin for structures if not controlled. Let's dive deeper into autogenous creep.
Autogenous Creep
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Autogenous creep is interesting because it occurs without any moisture movement, especially in high-strength concrete. Can anyone explain why this might happen?
Is it due to chemical reactions happening in the concrete?
Absolutely! Internal chemical shrinkage leads to deformation. This is particularly critical in mixes with a low water-cement ratio. Remember, 'no water, big trouble!' What implications does this have for the design of high-strength concrete?
We need to account for this in our structural designs to prevent unwanted deformation and damage.
Exactly! Understanding these types of creep allows engineers to make educated decisions in material selection and structural integrity. Great job, class!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
This section describes three main types of creep: basic creep occurs in sealed environments; drying creep arises from moisture loss due to applied load; and autogenous creep appears in high-strength concrete without external moisture, all emphasizing the importance of moisture levels and stress conditions.
Detailed
Types of Creep
Understanding the types of creep is essential for engineers designing concrete structures. Creep is the gradual deformation of concrete under constant stress over time. The three predominant types of creep include:
- Basic Creep: This type occurs when concrete is loaded in a sealed environment, meaning no moisture exchange takes place. The absence of moisture exchange can exacerbate the creep effect over time, emphasizing the criticality of moisture in material behavior.
- Drying Creep (Pickett Effect): Occurs when concrete loses moisture while under load. This type greatly enhances creep due to the additional stress caused by moisture loss. Drying conditions can lead to significant deformations over time, stressing the importance of controlling environmental conditions during curing.
- Autogenous Creep: This phenomenon occurs even when no external moisture moves, primarily affecting high-strength concrete with low water-cement ratios. The internal chemical shrinkage leads to additional creep, making it crucial to consider this factor during the design of high-performance concrete structures.
Each type varies based on moisture conditions and stress factors, further influencing the overall behavior of concrete in structural applications, thus highlighting the need for careful planning and design.
Audio Book
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Basic Creep
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
- Basic Creep: Occurs when concrete is loaded in a sealed environment without moisture exchange.
Detailed Explanation
Basic creep refers to the type of creep that occurs when concrete is placed under a constant load without any exchange of moisture in a sealed environment. In this situation, as the stress remains constant over time, the concrete continues to deform, exhibiting a gradual increase in strain due to the viscoelastic nature of the material. This means that the concrete deforms slowly under a sustained load, even in the absence of moisture movement.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a sponge that has been squeezed firmly and then placed in a sealed bag. Even though you don't apply any more pressure, the sponge will continue to compress slightly over time because the moisture can't escape. Similarly, concrete under basic creep will deform gradually as time goes on, despite the load remaining unchanged.
Drying Creep
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
- Drying Creep (Pickett Effect): Occurs when concrete loses moisture under load. Drying enhances creep significantly.
Detailed Explanation
Drying creep, also known as the Pickett effect, happens when concrete is subjected to load and simultaneously loses moisture. This type of creep is significantly enhanced due to the drying of the concrete, which affects its internal structure and increases the strain experienced. The loss of moisture can cause further deformation, as the material changes due to the changes in moisture content.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a wet towel that you hang to dry. As the towel dries out, it shrinks. If you were to keep pulling on it while it's drying, it would stretch and might not return to its original size. In this analogy, the towel represents the concrete, and the moisture loss coupled with the load leads to increased deformation, just like drying creep increases strain in concrete.
Autogenous Creep
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
- Autogenous Creep: Happens even in the absence of external moisture movement, especially significant in high-strength concrete due to internal chemical shrinkage.
Detailed Explanation
Autogenous creep occurs independently of external moisture conditions and happens due to chemical reactions within the concrete itself. Particularly in high-strength concrete, this type of creep is caused by internal changes, such as hydration reactions that lead to internal shrinkage. Unlike basic or drying creep, autogenous creep does not require moisture loss from the surface; instead, it is driven by the ongoing chemical processes within the concrete material.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a balloon that continues to lose air slowly, leading it to shrink even when it is not exposed to outside air. In this case, the balloon represents high-strength concrete, where internal processes are causing it to shrink over time. Autogenous creep highlights how changes within the material itself can lead to deformation, even when external conditions appear stable.
Key Concepts
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Basic Creep: Creep occurring in sealed environments without moisture exchange.
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Drying Creep: Creep caused by moisture loss when concrete is loaded, enhancing deformation.
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Autogenous Creep: Creep resulting from internal chemical processes in concrete, notably in high-strength mixes.
Examples & Applications
Basic creep might occur in a concrete wall that is not allowed moisture exchange during curing, leading to unexpected deformations over time.
Drying creep may happen in a concrete slab on a hot, dry day, where rapid moisture loss increases creep and can cause structure instability.
Autogenous creep can be observed in a high-strength concrete beam that shrinks internally due to hydration processes despite being properly sealed.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Creep and dry, if moisture's nigh, concrete will bend, and cracks will vie.
Stories
Once there was a concrete wall, sealed tight in a crawl. As time went by, it crept and sighed, until it cracked, oh what a fall!
Memory Tools
BDA - Basic, Drying, Autogenous; remember these types of creep.
Acronyms
For Drying Creep, think P-F-W
Pickett Effect
Fast evaporation
Water loss.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Creep
Gradual increase in strain or deformation in concrete under constant load over time.
- Basic Creep
Creep occurring in a sealed environment without moisture exchange.
- Drying Creep
Creep that occurs when concrete loses moisture under load, significantly enhancing deformation.
- Autogenous Creep
Creep that occurs due to internal chemical processes in high-strength concrete, even in the absence of moisture.
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