Refining design deformation predictions by improving concrete volume stability assessment

Cracking and deflection control are critical aspects of the design for serviceable concrete structures.

Restrained shrinkage-induced early-age cracking can significantly affect the durability and serviceability of structural members such as bridge decks and both suspended and on-grade slabs. Although standards provide guidance, they rely on over 30-year-old research focused primarily on General Purpose Cement concretes, with limited attention to Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs).

This research, led by UTS, aims to asses SCM-based concretes time-dependent behaviour and propose alternative testing methods and numerical models to update industry practices. It involves collating recent data on concrete creep and shrinkage, evaluating design requirements for key structural elements, and developing improved models linking creep and shrinkage to structural movements, which will then be validated through small-scale laboratory beam tests and field measurements. This can lead to better understanding of the relationships between concrete time-dependent behaviour and structural element movement, ultimately improving the management of cracking in concrete structures.

PROJECT PARTNER

• BG&E