PERFORMANCE-BASED SPECIFICATIONS FOR

CONCRETE DRYING SHRINKAGE IN PERSPECTIVE

Sebasti Badenhorst
Holcim (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 6367, Weltevredenpark, 1715.
Tel: +27 11 670 5842. E-mail: sebasti.badenhorst@holcim.com

ABSTRACT

Performance-based specifications for concrete drying shrinkage have become common.

This paper questions the validity of the test method currently in use and their test results
as valid predictors of structural performance.

1. INTRODUCTION

During the latter part of the nineties, long-term performance of concrete post-tensioned
structures was scrutinised when excessive opening of joints caused failure of the joint sealant.
As a result, specifications for post-tensioned slabs included a maximum limit for concrete
shrinkage of 0,02%. The maximum limit specified was based on the result obtained from testing
concrete with dolomite aggregate from the Johannesburg area. In the same period, the
Committee of Land Transport Officials (COLTO)[1] specified a maximum limit for concrete drying
shrinkage of 0,04%.

The standard test method used to determine compliance to these specifications is SANS
6085/SABS Method 1085:1994 (amended 2001), Concrete tests – Initial drying shrinkage and
wetting expansion of concrete[2] (hereafter referred to as SANS 6085). The test is an accelerated
shrinkage test based on drying 100x100x300mm concrete samples in an oven at 50°C.

As a result of these performance-based specifications, and based on a study[4] commissioned

by the South African Ready Mix Association (SARMA), ready mix concrete and aggregate
suppliers[3] formally questioned the attainability of maximum values specified and the
repeatability and reproducibility of the SANS 6085 test method.

An additional finding of the SARMA investigation was that for large parts of South Africa,
concrete made with the available aggregate in the region did not meet the maximum limits
specified. The potential implication was that in order to meet the specification, contractors and
ready mix concrete suppliers would have to import aggregate into those regions, with drastic
cost implications.

This paper discusses the practical significance of performance-based specifications for concrete
drying shrinkage based on SANS 6085.

Paper presented at the Conference: Developing Concrete to Serve Practical Needs Hosted by:
ISBN Number: 1-920-01717-8 The Industrial Development Engineers Association (IDEA)
13 – 14th October 2004, Midrand, South Africa. The Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI)
CD produced by: Document Transformation Technologies 77 The Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA)
2. THE PURPOSE OF A SPECIFICATION

The reason for specifying maximum limits for shrinkage is to ensure long-term structural
performance that may be defined in terms of:
• Strength: the structure’s ability to withstand load
• Serviceability: the ability of the structure to provide a comfortable, aesthetic environment
when it is used for its intended function
• Durability: the time for which the structure is serviceable, and the maintenance required for
the structure to remain serviceable.

The specification for the construction of a structure is an integral part of the success or failure of
the structure to perform as desired in the long term. An appropriate specification for concrete as
a construction material should, in one way or the other, address all of the structural performance
criteria as well as practical aspects of construction that may influence structural performance.

A specification is a contractual requirement that:

• Ensures the desired outcomes are obtained, in terms of structural performance and
aesthetics
• Promotes good practice
• Manages risk
• Allocates responsibility

However, a specification can only be enforced if the outcome is measurable and the
measurement is indisputable.

3. SPECIFYING PHILOSOPHIES

The specifier may follow one or a combination of several specifying philosophies when drafting
a specification. The following definitions of specifying philosophies have been proposed by
PIARC[5].

3.1 Performance Specification

A specification that describes how the finished product should perform over time. For example;
highway performance is typically described in terms of the change in physical condition of the
surface or its response to loads or in terms of cumulative traffic required to bring the pavement
to a state defined as failure.

3.2 Performance-Based Specification

A specification that describes desired levels of fundamental engineering properties

(eg. compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, creep and shrinkage) that are predictors of
structural performance and an integral part of structural performance prediction relationships.

Current specifications for drying shrinkage fall into this category.

3.3 Performance-Related Specification

A specification that describes desired levels of materials and characteristic factors that have
been found to correlate with fundamental engineering properties that predict performance,eg.
maximum water:cement ratio and minimum cement content.

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4. THE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF PERFORMANCE-BASED SPECIFICATIONS

To comply with the PIARC[5] definition of performance-based specifications, any shrinkage

values specified must relate to the values used for design purposes predicting structural
performance and service life. If the values specified cannot be related to the design value, the
consequences of non-compliance cannot be quantified and fair payment to the contractor and
suppliers cannot be established without dispute.

The relationship between design, prediction models, test methods and specifications is
illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Relationship between design, prediction models and specifications.

Structural design requires the long-term prediction of shrinkage. The shrinkage prediction model
most often used in South Africa is described in SABS 0100-1[6] and considers relative humidity,
size of concrete member and water content of the concrete mix. Shrinkage prediction models
are developed based on laboratory test data that have been obtained by drying specimens
under controlled drying conditions which vary between 20 and 25°C, and relative humidity of 50
to 70%, depending on the test method used[7,8]. Measurements are normally taken over at least
a six-month period.

A test method also needs to be applied to verify compliance to a performance-based

specification. If the volume:surface-ratio of the test specimen, the exposure conditions of the
test and the time drying differ from that of the structural element, the absolute value used for
design will differ from that obtained by testing. The values obtained in any test are strongly
influenced by the test method employed and, in particular, the method and severity of drying as
well as the volume:surface-ratio of the specimen[9].

To be able to assess the practical value of SANS 6085, it is necessary to compare the shrinkage
values obtained using this test method with those obtained from a natural drying test that relates
to our recognised shrinkage prediction models.

5. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELEVANCE OF SANS 6085 FOR

ASSESSMENT AND SPECIFICATION OF CONCRETE DRYING SHRINKAGE

A laboratory investigation was conducted to compare the results of SANS 6085 with that of a
natural drying test to assess the test’s ability to account for the effect of aggregate type on
concrete drying shrinkage. Shrinkage was measured on concretes containing aggregate from
different sources. Specimens were made from the same batch of concrete and were tested in
accordance with SANS 6085 and the natural drying test described by Ballim[7]. Witwatersrand
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quartzite from Holcim Scoop Quarry was chosen as control aggregate because of it’s historical
use and suitability in a wide range of structural applications. The results of both tests were
expressed as a percentage of the shrinkage of concrete with Witwatersrand quartzite
aggregate. The results are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Comparison of SANS 6085 shrinkage results with natural drying shrinkage results.

Based on an assessment of the results it is clear that SANS 6085 results do not relate to those
of the natural drying test. Therefore this test method cannot be used for long-term shrinkage
prediction. In addition, it is doubtful that test results obtained using this method give a true
indication of potential structural performance.

6. SITE INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRACKING AND

LABORATORY SHRINKAGE

A full-scale concrete pavement experiment was conducted near the Hilton off-ramp of the N3
national road. The project was a collaborative research effort between the South African
National Roads Agency (SANRAL), CSIR and the Cement and Concrete Institute. The objective
of the investigation was to determine the effect of aggregate type and joint type (doweled and
plain joints) on the performance of the pavement.

Two identical, 150mm thick concrete pavements, were constructed adjacent to each other. One
pavement was constructed with concrete made with Dolerite aggregate from the Holcim
Pietermaritzburg quarry and the other with concrete made with Quartzite aggregate from the
Holcim Coedmore quarry. Refer to Figure 3[10].

The Hilton concrete pavement trials presented a perfect opportunity to obtain field data on the
shrinkage and crack performance of similar concretes containing different aggregate but used
for the same type of pavement.

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 Photo 1. The Heavy Vehicle Simulator testing the concrete joints on the Hilton test sections.

Figure 3. Layout of concrete test sections[10].

6.1 Instrumentation of the Pavements

Gauges were designed by Dr Irvin Luker from the University of the Witwatersrand to measure
crack width at the joints at a depth of 30mm from the top and bottom of the concrete pavement
respectively.

The gauges were installed before the concrete was placed. Two gauges were installed in the
centre of the slab at the plain joints numbered JP2,3,4 and JP16,17,18 and 19. The gauges
were placed perpendicular to and centred to the crack-inducing plate. Refer to photo 2. In
addition one temperature probe was installed in the centre of each slab, between joints JP3 and
JP4 in the Quartzite slab and between JP17 and JP18 in the Dolerite slab. The gauges and
temperature probes were connected to a datalogger and movement was recorded at 15 minute
intervals, from the moment the ready concrete mix trucks arrived on site until seven days after
casting.
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 Photo 2. Installation of crack measuring devices at non-doweled joints.

6.2 Environmental Conditions During Construction

The weather conditions on the two days of concrete casting were in all respects contrasting. On
the day the Dolerite concrete was cast, the sun was shining, the ambient temperature as
measured on site in the shade at 12 o’clock was 21,5°C and the relative humidity was 37%. In
contrast, the day the Quartzite concrete was cast, it was cloudy and raining at times, with an
ambient temperature measured on site of 13,3°C and a relative humidity of 72%. The following
week, temperatures measured at approximately the same time on site ranged between 11,2 and
22,6°C, and relative humidity was between 40 and 74% as detailed in Table 1.

Table 1. Relative humidity and temperature during construction.

Date Comments Temperature (°C) RH (%)
31/07 Dolerite concrete cast 21,5 37
1/08 23 40
2/08 Quartzite concrete cast 13,3 72
3/08 No data
4/08 21,1 34
5/08 11,2 74
6/08 22,5 58
7/08 22,6 45
8/08 21,3 55

6.3 Mix Designs and Concrete Properties

The Dolerite concrete mix design was based on the concrete used on the inlay on the N3, and
met the shrinkage requirements of the COLTO specification. The Quartzite concrete was
designed to be as similar as possible to the Dolerite concrete, but did not meet the COLTO
requirements for concrete drying shrinkage.

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 Table 2. Concrete mix proportions and properties[10].

Constituent Source kg/m3

Dolerite concrete
CEM II A-S 42,5 N Natal Portland Cement 433
26mm stone Holcim Pietermaritzburg 1 280
Medium River Sand Not declared 349
Unwashed Crushed Sand Not declared 260
Water 208
Average compressive strength 28- 49,10
day (MPa)
Flexural strength (MPa) 4,98
Average modulus of Elasticity 34,70
(GPa)
Quartzite concrete
CEM II A-S 42,5 N Natal Portland Cement 472
26mm stone Holcim Coedmore 1 180
River Sand Stanger 303
Crushed Sand Holcim Coedmore 154
Pozzsand Ash Resources 42
Water 203
Average compressive strength 48,10
(MPa)
Flexural strength (MPa) 4,89
Average modulus of Elasticity 31,30
(GPa)

During construction a superplasticiser was added to the Quartzite concrete to assist with slump
retention. The dosage was 4 litres/m3.

Dolerite concrete was sampled from trucks 2,3,4 and 5 during construction and Quartzite
concrete from trucks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

6.4 Laboratory Shrinkage Testing

Shrinkage specimens were made for laboratory testing from concrete sampled from site.
Shrinkage testing in the laboratory was based on:
• SANS 6085, conducted at the laboratories of the Cement and Concrete Institute
• Natural drying test based on a temperature of 22±1°C and relative humidity of 50 to 60%
and drying for 168 days in the civil engineering laboratory of the University of the
Witwatersrand

6.5 Results

6.5.1 Laboratory shrinkage results

The results of the laboratory tests are indicated in Table 3.

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 Table 3. SANS 6085 shrinkage testing, average of three samples tested.
SANS 6085 Natural drying (168 days of drying)
Sample Dolerite concrete Quartzite concrete Dolerite concrete Quartzite concrete,
shrinkage, % shrinkage, % shrinkage, % shrinkage, %
Truck 2 0,037 0,051 0,044 0,049
Truck 3 0,039 0,051 0,033 -
Truck 4 0,040 0,052 - 0,061
Truck 5 0,045 0,051 - -
Truck 6 No sample 0,053 - -

6.5.2 Field measurements

The crack-inducing plates were unfortunately not very effective and the pavement cracked as
indicated in Figure 4. The cracks only coincided with the gauges at joint 18 (JP18), and because
the gauges could only measure in extension, no useful data was obtained at the other joints.

Figure 4. Positions of cracks in pavements[11].

The movement in millimetres as well as the temperature recorded at JP18, are presented
graphically in Figure 5. Gauge 4 was 30mm from the top of the slab and gauge 3, 30mm from
the bottom of the slab.

Unfortunately no similar data is available for the Quartzite concrete, but the CSIR measured the
cracks at the time of the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) testing and reported[11] that the crack at
JP3 was approximately 0,6mm wide, with a daily variation of 0,3 to 0,9mm, whereas the crack at
JP18 was approximately 1,2mm wide with a daily variation of 0,7 to 1,8mm. The crack activity in
the Quartzite slab was less than that of the Dolerite slab, both in terms of crack spacing and
crack width.

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 Crack width
Joint 18
0.2 35

0 30
0 24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192 216 240 264 288

Temperature degrees Celcius

movement (millimeters)

-0.2 25

-0.4 20

-0.6 15

-0.8 10
gauge 3
-1 5
gauge 4
-1.2
Temperature 0
time (hours)

Figure 5. Movement and temperature at JP18.

If it is assumed that the shrinkage potential of the concrete is an indication of its crack potential,
then the crack pattern of the pavements is unexpected. According to the laboratory results, the
Quartzite concrete should have cracked more than the Dolerite concrete.

It is probable that the environmental conditions at the time of casting were responsible for the
unexpected crack pattern. The wet and cold conditions at the time of casting the Quartzite
concrete would have resulted in less evaporation of moisture from the concrete and therefore
less drying shrinkage. The temperature variation between day and night on the day the quartzite
concrete was cast was small, therefore temperature movement during the early hours of the life
of the concrete was probably insignificant. Refer to Figure 6, where the early temperature of the
concrete is recorded over time. The strength gain, and therefore the development of stiffness of
the Quartzite concrete, was possibly slower than that of the Dolerite concrete. If these factors
are considered then it is fair to conclude that the Dolerite concrete was more at risk of cracking
than the Quartzite concrete due to environmental conditions.

Figure 6. Temperature of concrete after casting.

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7. CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the site and laboratory trails it is concluded that:
• The environmental conditions during construction of the Hilton concrete pavement were of
greater significance in the formation of cracks than the shrinkage potential of the concrete as
determined in the laboratory.
• The concrete pavement constructed with dolerite concrete, which complied with the
shrinkage requirement in the COLTO specification, did not perform better than the pavement
with quartzite concrete, which did not comply with the specification.
• Shrinkage potential as determined in the laboratory may not be directly related to crack
potential.

8. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is obvious from the conclusions that a greater understanding of shrinkage and cracking of
concrete is required before practical and meaningful performance-based specifications for
concrete drying shrinkage can be determined and enforced.

A test method needs to be developed where the test result obtained after a maximum of
28-days can be related to design values and performance of concrete in structures.

A relationship needs to be established to predict cracking where the effect of construction

practices, the environment and concrete materials are taken into account. We need to be able
to guide the supplier, contractor and specifier in the choice of correct materials and practice to
ensure durable concrete structures.

9. REFERENCES

[1] Committee of Land Transport Officials (COLTO), Standard Specification for Road and
Bridge Works for State Road Authorities, Published by SAICE, Yeoville, 3 March 1998.
[2] SANS 6085/SABS Method 1085:1994 (amended 2001), Concrete tests – Initial drying
shrinkage and wetting expansion of concrete, Edition 2.1, South African Bureau of
Standards, Pretoria.
[3] SARMA, ASPASA, COLTO, Minutes of meeting, Somerset West, 7 March 2001.
[4] Theodossiou, K. A. Test report – Testing the drying shrinkage of concretes using nine
different aggregate types, C&CI report 104/99 prepared for SARMA, Midrand, March
2000, pp 10,11.
[5] PIARC Technical committee on road pavements (C7/8), A Fact finding Review of
Performance Specifications in 2002, PIARC - World Road Association, France, 2003.
[6] SABS 0100-1:2000, Code of practice for the structural use of concrete Part I: Design,
Annex C, Edition 2.2, South African Bureau of Standards, Pretoria, 2000.
[7] Ballim, Y. Localising international concrete models – The case of creep and shrinkage
prediction, Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Concrete Technology
for Developing countries, New Delhi, 17-19 November 1999.
[8] RILEM Committee TC 107, Chaired by P. Bažant, Creep and shrinkage prediction models:
Principles of their formulation, Measurement of time-dependant strains of concrete,
Materials and Structures, Vol 31,October 1998, pp 507-512.

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[9] Fulton, F. S. Concrete Technology - A South African handbook, Fifth Edition, Midrand,
Portland Cement Institute, 1977, pp 154-155.
[10] Brink AC, Construction report: HVS testing of the concrete test sections on the N3 near
Hilton, 2nd draft, CSIR Transportek, Pretoria.
[11] HVS Technical Committee, Minutes of meeting held on 6 May 2004, SANRAL offices,
Pietermaritzburg.

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 PERFORMANCE-BASED SPECIFICATIONS FOR
CONCRETE DRYING SHRINKAGE IN PERSPECTIVE

Sebasti Badenhorst
Holcim (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 6367, Weltevredenpark, 1715.
Tel: +27 11 670 5842. E-mail: sebasti.badenhorst@holcim.com

Biography

Sebasti Badenhorst

Sebasti Badenhorst obtained a Civil engineering degree at Stellenbosh University in 1995. She
worked as structural engineer and was involved in the design and construction of the
Johannesburg International Airport Parkade and an office block for Rand Merchant Bank in
Sandton. She joined Holcim (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd in 1999 as product development engineer
doing research in durability of concrete, concrete drying shrinkage and high performance
concretes. She obtained a MSc degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in December
2003 and registered as Professional Engineer with ECSA in February 2004. She is currently a
consultant at Holcim (South Africa), focusing on the transfer of knowledge on concrete materials
to consulting engineers. She is also involved in the research and development of industry
guideline documents on concrete specifications. She is married and has two sons.

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