Restrained shrinkage behavior of concrete under different environmental conditions

The ring test method is used to evaluate the behavior of concrete under restrained shrinkage. Four kinds of environmental conditions (20±1°C, RH60±5%; 35±1°C, RH60±5%; 50±1°C, RH15±5%; 65±1°C, RH15±5%) were designed to investigate the effect the environmental condition on the shrinkage behavior of concrete prepared with different kinds of mineral admixtures. The results show that higher temperature and lower relative humidity can increase the risk of shrinkage cracking. The addition of different mineral admixtures increases the shrinkage of concrete at room conditions. In the case of higher temperature and lower relative humidity, the addition of mineral admixtures can delay the shrinkage cracking in the test duration.