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Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.
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Home > Tools > Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are shrinkage-compensating expansive cement and concrete? A. Shrinkage-compensating expansive cement (ASTM C845) is used to make shrinkage-compensating concrete that minimizes cracking tendencies caused by drying shrinkage in concrete slabs, pavements, and structures (ACI 223). When subgrade friction, reinforcement, or other portions of the structure restrain a pavement, floor slab, or structural member during drying shrinkage, tensile stresses develop. Shrinkage- compensating concrete is proportioned so the concrete will increase in volume after setting and during early age hardening. When properly restrained by reinforcement, expansion will induce tension in the reinforcement and compression in the concrete. On subsequent drying, instead of causing a tensile stress that might result in cracking, the shrinkage merely reduces or relieves the compressive strain caused by the initial expansion of the shrinkage-compensating concrete. References: SP-1(02); E3-13; SP-307; ACI PRC 223-21; ASTM C845 Topics in Concrete: Cementitious Material in Concrete; Durability of Concrete; Materials in Concrete; Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete
Q. What are shrinkage-compensating expansive cement and concrete?
A. Shrinkage-compensating expansive cement (ASTM C845) is used to make shrinkage-compensating concrete that minimizes cracking tendencies caused by drying shrinkage in concrete slabs, pavements, and structures (ACI 223). When subgrade friction, reinforcement, or other portions of the structure restrain a pavement, floor slab, or structural member during drying shrinkage, tensile stresses develop. Shrinkage- compensating concrete is proportioned so the concrete will increase in volume after setting and during early age hardening. When properly restrained by reinforcement, expansion will induce tension in the reinforcement and compression in the concrete. On subsequent drying, instead of causing a tensile stress that might result in cracking, the shrinkage merely reduces or relieves the compressive strain caused by the initial expansion of the shrinkage-compensating concrete.
References: SP-1(02); E3-13; SP-307; ACI PRC 223-21; ASTM C845
Topics in Concrete: Cementitious Material in Concrete; Durability of Concrete; Materials in Concrete; Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete
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