2.2. Types of Shrinkage

Try these first

1. 1.

   What causes plastic shrinkage?

   Hint

   Think about what happens to water on a hot day.

2. 2.

   What is drying shrinkage?

   Hint

   Consider long-term effects of moisture loss.

3. 3.

   What is the primary cause of plastic shrinkage?

   • Moisture loss from capillary pores
   • Rapid evaporation of surface water
   • Chemical reactions in cement

   Hint

   Think about what happens to water on a hot surface.

4. 4.

   True or False: Drying shrinkage continues indefinitely after concrete hardens.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what happens over time.

5. 5.

   Calculate the total volume reduction experienced by a concrete slab subjected to drying shrinkage if the initial volume was 100 m³ and it shrank by 600 µε after one year.

   Hint

   Remember that 1 µε = 1e-6 strain.

6. 6.

   Discuss how the types of shrinkage could interact in a high-performance concrete structure, and make recommendations for design adjustments.

   Hint

   Consider how environmental conditions affect the concrete immediately and over time.