The effect of cement paste volume and w/c ratio on shrinkage strain, water absorption and compressive strength of high performance concrete

Shrinkage strain, compressive strength and water absorption of high performance concrete (HPC) are estimated to high accuracy with linear equations using the w/c ratio and paste volume as variables. A paste volume reduction, thus an increase in coarse aggregate fraction, improves the HPC properties. These changes most likely result from: 1) adsorption of water on a greater surface of aggregate, leading to bulk paste desiccation and densifying and reduction in actual w/c ratio and width of aggregate-cement paste interfacial transition zone; 2) beneficial influence of larger volume of coarse aggregates produced from rocks of high strength and low water absorption.