Title: Thermal Strain and Drying Shrinkage of Concrete Structures in the Field

Author(s): Seongcheol Choi and Moon C. Won

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 107

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 498-507

Keywords: drying shrinkage; field implementation; nonstress cylinder; relative humidity; temperature; thermal strain

DOI: 10.14359/51663970

Date: 9/1/2010

Abstract:
When concrete structures are placed in the field, substantial changes in temperature and moisture can occur. To predict stress and the corresponding risks of thermal and/or drying shrinkage cracking, an estimate is required of thermal strain and drying shrinkage not related to stress. In this study, a proposed method was developed to allow the direct field measurement of thermal strain and drying shrinkage in concrete structures. A nonstress cylinder was designed, which enabled the embedded strain gauge to measure actual thermal strain and drying shrinkage in concrete structures. Sensors, such as vibrating wire strain gauges and temperature and relative humidity (RH) sensors, were incorporated into the developed method. The validity of the method was investigated through laboratory tests as well as field implementation. It is expected that the proposed method can be efficiently used in field testing and allow realistic assessments of time-dependent behavior of concrete structures, including cracking potential.