Proposed field test for drying

shrinkage of concrete
Shrinkage values help in predicting cracking behavior of concrete

BY PAUL P. KRAAI
CONCRETE CONSULTANT
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA

ome of the many variables that

affect the cracking of concrete
are:
materials and design
placing and finishing techniques
temperature and humidity
curing practices

tions such as the required saturation before drying shrinkage measurements start. This can be misleading when applied to field
concrete which starts to dry immediately after placing and screeding.
Evaporation during the first week of
concretes life has a significant effect
on the cracking tendencies. The test
p ro c e d u re does not consider this
important time.
Shrinkage specifications supported by this type of information will
limit the use of calcium chloride

2). CONCRETE CO N S T RU C T I O N
confirmed (September 1981, page
729) that usual amounts of calcium
chloride cause increased shrinkage,
but they do not always result in increased cracking.

New standard test specimen

proposed
Based on considerable field experience, I recommend the 4x4-foot
slab 8 inches thick (0.4 cubic yard)
as a new standard test specimen.
This size of specimen will give

ground conditions (for slabs on

grade)
structural loads
There is no standard condition for
evaluating cracking tendencies.
Many engineers equate the cracking
potential of concrete with its drying
shrinkage characteristics. The drying shrinkage is usually measured
according to ASTM C 157, Standard
Test Method for Length Change of
Hardened Cement Mortar and Concrete.

Difficulties with existing test

One problem with the ASTM
method is a lack of agreement between laboratory and field testing
(based on the same materials and
using the same test method). Unfortunately, the shrinkage observed in
ASTM tests is much higher than the
shrinkage results obtained from a
structure containing the same concrete. I believe this difference is due
in part to the size of the test specimen4x4x11 inches (see Figure 1).
Another reason is ASTM test condi-

(admixture or accelerator in concrete). Current test data (upper

curve of Figure 2) show significantly
greater shrinkage for a 1 percent calcium chloride content when tested
according to ASTM. Most engineers
would agree that these results are
typical. When the comparison is
based on tests using a 4x4-foot slab
8 inches thick, the chloride effect on
shrinkage appears negligible
(shown in the lower curve of Figure

Figure 1. How specimen size affects

drying shrinkage test results.
Comparisons are based on actual
tests of 4x4x11-inch prisms and 4foot-square slabs 8 inches thick. The
prisms were tested according to
ASTM C 157, but the slabs were 100
percent field cured. Information for
the two smaller prism sizes was
based on conversion factors taken
from Table 4 in the reference cited in
the editors note. Note that the
highest percentage of shrinkage
occurs with the smallest specimens.

Prevention of cracking

Figure 2. Laboratory shrinkage test

results compared with field
measurements on 4x4-foot slabs, 8
inches thick. The same concrete mixes
were used for both types of test. Slab
specimens were measured at the same
times as ASTM prisms, but without the
initial saturation period. Three chloridecontaining slabs were measured, each
having five sets of measuring studs. A
7-day base-line was used in accordance
with local California specifications.
Figure 3. Comparison of shrinkage of
chloride- and non-chloride-containing
concretes, using 4x4-foot slab
specimens, 8 inches thick. Measuring
studs were placed in the slabs at 24
hours, and the base-line reading was
taken at that time. Difference in
shrinkage between the two concretes
appears to be greatest between 7 and
14 days, then to diminish gradually.
Temperatures ranged between 50 and
80 degrees for these tests, with
humidity from 65 to 78 percent.

shrinkage test values similar to

structure shrinkage measurements.
Figure 3 shows a comparison of the
effects of chlorides on shrinkage
c h a ra c t e ristics of concrete, using
this larger slab as the test specimen.
The measuring studs were placed at
24 hours and the initial or base-line
reading was established at that time.
The test data show a maximum difference at 7 days between the two
types of concrete, with a gradual decrease up to the age of 35 days. The
difference in shrinkage at 35 days,
0.005 percent, if applied to a 20x20foot slab could be the basis for predicting a cracking difference of only
1/64 inch due to the presence of calcium chloride in the concrete. This
difference would amount to an insignificant hairline crack (20 feet x
12 inches x 0.00005 = 0.012 inch).

Because of test experience such

as that shown in Figure 3, I consider
use of ASTM C 157 method to predict cracking of concrete to be erratic, misleading and excessively expensive. The artificial conditions of
the test procedures and the small
specimen size give data which do
not relate to actual field conditions.
The differences apparent from
study of Figures 2 and 3 illustrate
misconceptions that are possible
when this type of test is applied to
actual field conditions. Good materials can be discriminated against
unnecessarily.
After many years of field experience I certainly believe the best
method of minimizing cracking tendencies of concrete is proper attention to site preparation, concrete
materials and design, placing and
finishing techniques, and good curing pro c e d u re s. There is no easy
wayASTM C 157 or otherwiseto
specify crack-free concrete.
Editors note:
For additional information supporting
the views presented here, please refer
to an article by Paul P. Kraai, Concrete Drying Shrinkage: Facts or Fallacies, published on pages 25-51 of
the American Concrete Institute Publication SP-76, Designing for Creep and
Shrinkage in Concrete Structures,
available from American Concrete Institute, Box 19150, Detroit, Michigan
48219.
To purchase copies of the referenced
test method, ASTM C 157, contact
American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19103.

PUBLICATION #C840663
Copyright 1984, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved