Development of low-shrinkage high-performance concrete with improved durability

摘要

The main goal of this study is to develop low-shrinkage high-performance concrete in order to reduce early age cracking and premature reinforcement corrosion, and to provide long service lives to concrete structures. This paper presents a summary of the results related to the evaluation of the chemical, mechanical, and durability properties of different formulations of normal-density, air-entrained high-performance concrete with a water-cement ratio of 0.35. The effectiveness of two shrinkage reduction measures is evaluated: internal curing with saturated lightweight aggregate, and a shrinkage-reducing admixture. All high-performance concretes developed in this study that used internal curing or a shrinkage reducing admixture (separately or in combination) successfully met all performance requirements in terms of workability, hydration characteristics, volume stability, strength and potential durability under severe exposure conditions simulated in the laboratory.