Title:
Test Device for Studying the Early-Age Stresses and Strains in Concrete
Author(s):
J.-P. Charron, B. Bissonnette, J. Marchand, and M. Pigeon
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
220
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
113-124
Keywords:
autogenous shrinkage; concrete; early-age; restrained; shrinkage; strain; stress; temperature; viscoelasticity
DOI:
10.14359/13153
Date:
3/1/2004
Abstract:
A restrained shrinkage apparatus was adapted to study the early-age behavior of hydrating cement-based materials in various thermal conditions. The intent of this paper is to provide information on the latest version of the DRS (Discretized restrained shrinkage) experimental setup and test procedure. In addition, the test reproducibility is evidenced through selected series of experiments. First, results that show the temperature control efficiency and the uniformity of the temperature field within the specimens are provided. Then, the results of tests performed to evaluate both hardware and material effects are presented. According to these results, the temperature controlled DRS test shows much promise in the quest of better understanding and characterizing the early-age behavior of cement-based materials. It definitely should help in tackling the related cracking problems.