Abstract
Cracks in reinforced concrete structures reduce overall durability by allowing the penetration of water and aggressive agents, thereby accelerating the deterioration of the reinforcing steel. Highway pavement and bridge decks are especially susceptible to this type of deterioration since these structures exhibit high rates of shrinkage and are frequently exposed to aggressive environmental conditions. The objectives of this investigation included the development of experimental procedures for assessing shrinkage cracking potential of recycled aggregate concrete, the evaluation of mix composition on shrinkage cracking potential, and the development of theoretical models to simulate early-age cracking behavior. Specifically, the influences of shrinkage-reducing admixture(SRA) and recycled aggregate concrete were investigated. The shrinkage-reducing admixture substantially reduces free shrinkage and restrains shrinkage cracking while providing similar mechanical properties. A fracture mechanics modeling approach was developed to predict the behavior of a variety of restrained concrete specimens. This modeling approach was used to successfully explain experimental results from a variety of mixture compositions. The model was used to demonstrate the influence of material and structural properties on the potential for cracking.