CREEP (clause 3.1.

4)
Creep is the continuous deformation of a member under sustained action
The creep of concrete depends on:
(i) Ambient humidity
(ii) Dimensions of the element
(iii) Composition of concrete
(iv) Maturity of concrete when the load is first applied
(v) Duration of the loading
(vi) Magnitude of the load

Deformation due to creep

The creep deformation of concrete  cc ,t 0  at time t   , for a constant compressive stress  c is given

by;
c 
 cc , t 0    , t 0   (3.6)
 Ec 
Where
Ec is the tangent modulus , Ec  1.05Ecm

 ,t0  is the final creep coefficient

If the concrete is not subjected to a compressive stress greater than 0.45 f ck t0  , the creep coefficient

 t ,t 0  is found from Table 3.1

When the compressive strength of concrete at an age t0  0.45 f ck t0  , creep non linearity is considered.
non linear creep coefficient is given by equation (3.7)
 k , t0    , t0 exp 1.5k  0.45 (3.7)

Where;
 k ,t0  is the non-linear notional creep coefficient

 c 
k is the stress – strength ratio  
 f cm t 0  
 c is the compressive stress at the time of loading
f cm t 0  is the mean concrete compressive strength

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The values given in Figure 3.1 are valid for ambient temperatures between  400 C and  400 C , and a
mean relative humidity between RH=40% and RH=100%. In the Figure;
 ,t0  is the final creep coefficient
t 0 is the age of concrete at the time of loading in days

h0 is the notional size; 2 Ac u  , where Ac is the concrete cross sectional area and u is the perimeter of
that part which is ex[posed to drying.
S is class S; (cement of strength classes CEM 32.5 N)
N is class N; (cement of strength classes CEM 32.5 R, CEM 42.5 N)
R is class R; (cement of strength classes CEM 42.5 R, 52.5 N and 52.5 R)

How to determine  ,t 0  from Figure 3.1

1) Draw a Horizontal line from the vertical axis corresponding to t 0 is the age of concrete at the
time of loading in days to the relevant S,N or R curve
2) Draw a straight line from the origin to the point of intersection of the horizontal line from t 0 and

the relevant S,N or R curve

3) Draw a vertical line from h0 to intersect the curve for the characteristic concrete strength f ck

4) Draw a horizontal line from the point of intersection of a vertical line from h0 and the curve

for the characteristic concrete strength f ck to intersect the line from the origin produced in (2)

5) Draw a vertical line from the point of intersection of the line from the origin in (2) and the
horizontal line from the curve for the characteristic concrete strength f ck
The steps are marked 1,2,3,4 and 5 in Figure 3.1

Example
Determine the creep coefficient 𝜑(∞, 𝑡𝑜 ) for an outdoor beam 300 wide x500mmm deep, made from
C25/30 concrete , cement strength class CEM32.5N. Assume the beam is loaded after 30 days.
Solution
(i) The age of concrete at the time of loading 𝑡0 = 30 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
(ii) Since it is outdoor Figure 3.2(b) is used.
(iii) Cement Strength class CEM 32.5N belongs to S class

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(iv) A horizontal line is drawn from the vertical axis from a point corresponding to 𝑡𝑜 = 30𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
to the S curve
(v) A straight line is drawn through the origin and the point of intersection of the horizontal line
from 𝑡𝑜 = 30𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 and the S curve
(vi) A vertical line is drawn from ℎ𝑜 = 500𝑚𝑚 to intersect the curve for the concrete
characteristic strength 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 𝐶25/30
(vii) A horizontal line is drawn from the point of intersection of a vertical line from h0 and the

curve for the characteristic concrete strength f ck to intersect the line from the origin

produced in (v)
(viii) A vertical line is drawn from the point of intersection of the line from the origin in (v) and the
horizontal line from the curve for the characteristic concrete strength 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 𝐶25/30 to
intersect the horizontal axis at 𝜑(∞, 𝑡0 ) = 1.8
(ix) Therefore, creep coefficient 𝜑(∞, 𝑡𝑜 ) = 1.8
(x) The figure below illustrates how the value of final creep coefficient has been computed.

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 Shrinkage (Clause 3.1.4(6))
This is the reduction in volume of concrete as it hardens. Shrinkage of concrete depends on:
(a) The ambient humidity
(b) The dimensions of the member
(c) The ambient humidity
The total shrinkage strain is composed of two components as shown in equation 3.8;
 cs   cd   ca (3.8)

Where
 cs is the total shrinkage strain
 cd is the drying shrinkage strain
 ca is the autogenous shrinkage strain
The final value of drying shrinkage strain  cd , is given by

 cd ,  k h cd ,0

Where  cd ,0 is taken from Table 3.2.

The development of the drying strain in time is taken from equation (3.9)
 cd t    ds t , t s . k h . cd ,0 (3.9)

Where
k h is a coefficient depending on the notional size h0 from Table 3.3

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 ds t , t s  
t  t s  (3.10)
t  t s   0.04 h03
Where;
t is the age of concrete at the moment considered in days
t s is the age of concrete (days) at the beginning of drying shrinkage (or swelling) , normally this is at the
end of curing
h0 is the notional size (mm) of the cross section

h0  2 Ac u 

Ac is the concrete cross –sectional area

u is the perimeter of that part of the cross section which is exposed to drying.

The development of autogenously shrinkage strain is given by equation (3.11)

 ca t    as t  ca  (3.11)

Where;
 ca   2.5 f ck  10 106 (3.12)

 as t   1  exp  0.2t 0.5  (3.13)

t is in days.

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 Section 4: Durability and Reinforcement Cover
The durability of concrete depends on;
(i) The exposure condition
(ii) The concrete quality
(iii) The cover to reinforcement
(iv) Width of any cracks

The required protection of a structure depends on ;

(i) Intended use
(ii) Design working life
(iii) Maintenance programme and action

Environmental Conditions;
 These are chemical, physical conditions, and mechanical actions to which the structure is exposed
 Environmental conditions are given in Table 4.1

Other forms of Aggressive or Indirect Action (EN 206-1), Clause 4.2(3)

Chemical attack
 The use of structure (eg storage of liquids)
 Sulphates attack
 Chlorides contained in concrete
 Alkali –Agregate Reactions (ASR)
Physical Attack
 Temperature change
 Abrasion
 Water penetration

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Concrete cover (Clause 4.4.1)
 It is the distance between the surface of reinforcement (links, or main bars) closest to the concrete
surface and the nearest concrete surface.
 The nominal cover (specified on drawings) is the minimum cover Cmin plus an allowance in design

for deviation Cdev

 The minimum cover is provided to ensure;

(i) Safe transmission of bond forces
(ii) Protection of steel against corrosion (durability)
(iii) Adequate Fire resistance
 The minimum cover is given by
 The minimum cover to transmit bond and ensure adequate compaction of concrete should be
greater than Cmin,b given in Table 4.2

 The minimum cover for concrete taking into account exposure class is given in Table 4.4N

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