Interpretation of very long-term basic creep tests of concrete

Abstract

The prediction of very long-term delayed deformation of concrete is particularly important for prestressed structures. This deformation has a number of components, one of which is basic creep, which is the deformation of the concrete under loading, in the absence of any exchange of water with the environment. Analysis of experimental results shows that this component can be expressed as a logarithmic function of time. However, some very long-term tests seem to show a deviation from this trend. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that these deviations can be explained by experimental artefacts (either parasitic drying or leaching of the concrete).

Keywords:

• Concrete
• basic creep
• experiment
• drying
• leaching

Acknowledgments

The author thanks professor Forth for his help in the determination of the experimental conditions of Brooks’ tests.