Shrinkage of concrete: A general overview

Abstract

The volume change of concrete due to loss of water through the exchange with environment or the self-desiccation during the hydration, or due to chemical reactions of hydrated cement with carbon-dioxide from environment, is one of the most undesirable phenomena in concrete. It is both an early-age and a long-term process, but from the structural point of view the shrinkage of concrete from the moment of its exposure to the environment is of most interest. Types of shrinkage, their causes, main influencing factors and possible measures to mitigate the shrinkage and its consequences are presented, based on the review and analysis of the latest published research in this field.

Keywords

• concrete
• shrinkage
• causes of shrinkage
• influencing factors
• measures for reduction