Title:
A Method to Predict Shrinkage Cracking of
Concrete
Author(s):
Surendra P. Shah, Chengsheng Ouyang, Shashidhara Marikunte, Wei Yang, and Emil
Becq-Giraudon
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
95
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
339-346
Keywords:
concrete; cracking; creep; fracture; fracture mechanics; R-curve;
ring-specimen; shrinkage; tension
DOI:
10.14359/9875
Date:
7/1/1998
Abstract:
A theoretical model based on nonlinear fracture mechanics is developed for predicting transverse cracking of concrete ring specimen due to drying shrinkage. Using the measured material fracture parameters, fracture resistance curve (R-curve) of the ring specimen is determined. The maximum allowable tensile strain is then calculated based on energy balance during shrinking of the ring. Age at transverse cracking of the ring specimen due to restrained drying shrinkage is predicted by equating the difference between the measured free shrinkage and the estimated creep to the maximum allowable tensile strain. The predicted age at cracking is in rea-sonable agreement with the experimental measurement.