Shrinkage and creep of SCC – The influence of paste volume and binder composition

In this study, the stress–strain-behaviour of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC) is compared. The influence of the paste volume and the cement type on E-modulus, flexural and compressive strengths, drying shrinkage, creep and stress development under restrained conditions is investigated on three SCC mixtures and three mixtures of CVC with identical water-to-cement-ratio. SCC reaches lower values for E-modulus, compressive and flexural strengths but higher values for shrinkage, creep and strain under restrained conditions. Besides the paste volume, the cement type plays a fundamental role regarding creep. Composite models were applied for comparisons and were able to predict the differences in E-modulus and shrinkage between CVC and SCC.

Research highlights
► Free shrinkage, creep and restraint stress of CVC and SCC mixtures are compared.
► SCC reaches lower values for E-modulus, compressive and flexural strengths.
► Shrinkage, creep and strain under restrained conditions are higher compared to CVC.
► Cement type considerably affects creep.
► Composite models can predict the differences in E-modulus and shrinkage between CVC and SCC.