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CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

DRY SHRINKAGE
DEFINITION . FACTORS & PREVENTION

COURSE INSTRUCTOR:
ENGR. ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN
 SHRINKAGE IN CONCRETE

• The volumetric changes of concrete structures due to the loss of moisture

(water) by evaporation is known as concrete shrinkage or shrinkage of
concrete.
• It is a time-dependent deformation which reduces the volume of concrete
without the impact of external forces.
 TYPES OF SHRINKAGES IN CONCRETE

• (a) Plastic Shrinkage in concrete

• (b) Drying Shrinkage in concrete
• (c) Autogeneous Shrinkage in concrete
• (d) Carbonation Shrinkage in concrete

• We will only discuss Drying Shrinkage in Concrete.

 DRY SHRINKAGE IN CONCRETE

• It is the contracting of a hardened concrete mixture due to the loss of water. This
shrinkage causes an increase in tensile stress, which may lead to cracking and external
deflection, before the concrete is subjected to any kind of loading.
• Drying shrinkage is a phenomenon happen in concrete when there is no sufficient water
for hydration process, whether it may be evaporated or poor curing method.
• Dry shrinkage causes cracks on the concrete surface during drying or within 2-3 months
after casting.
 FACTORS AFFECTING DRY SHRINKAGE

• Water-Cement Ratio:
Shrinkage is mostly influenced by the water cement ratio of concrete. It increases with the increases
in the water-cement ratio.
• Environmental Condition:
It is one of the major factors that affect the total volume of shrinkage. Shrinkage is mostly occurred
due to the drying condition of the atmosphere. It increases with the decrease in the humidity
(moisture in air).
• Time:
The rate of shrinkage rapidly decreases with time. It is found that 14-34% of the 20 years shrinkage
occurs in two weeks, 40-80% shrinkage occurs in three months and the rest 66-85% shrinkage occurs
in one year.
 FACTORS AFFECTING DRY SHRINKAGE

• Type of Aggregate:
The rate of shrinkage generally decreases with the increase of the size of aggregates. It is
found that concrete made from sandstone shrinks twice than the concrete of limestone.
• Admixtures:
• The shrinkage increases with the addition of accelerating admixtures due to the presence
of calcium chloride (CaCl2).
• Method of Curing:
• In properly cured concrete , there are very less chances of dry shrinkage.
 PREVENTION FROM DRY SHRINKAGE

• It can be neglected by adding suitable admixture such as superplasticizer,it controls the

optimum water content in concrete and maintenance the workability , reduces w/c ratio.
• Use lower water cement ratio
• Protect concrete surface from rapid drying,
• Proper curing should be done. In adverse climatic conditions, suitable admixtures are
advised to use.
THE END !!!