• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2007

Fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a new type of concrete mix that can mitigate two opposing weaknesses: poor workability in fiber-reinforced concrete and cracking resistance in plain SCC concrete. This study focused on early-age cracking of FRSCC due to restrained drying shrinkage, one of the most common causes of cracking. In order to investigate the effect of fiber on shrinkage cracking of FRSCC, ring shrinkage tests were performed for polypropylene and steel fiber-reinforced SCC. In addition, finite element analyses for those specimens were carried out considering drying shrinkage based on moisture diffusion, creep, cracking resistance of concrete, and the effect of fiber. The analysis results were verified via a comparison between the measured and calculated crack width. From the test and analysis results, the effectiveness of fiber with respect to reducing cracking was confirmed and some salient features on the shrinkage cracking of FRSCC were obtained.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

PURPOSES : The main purpose of this study is to develop a high elastic modulus and low-shrinkage roller-compacted concrete base (RCCB) in order to prevent fatigue cracking and reflective cracking in the asphalt surface layer of composite pavement. Using a rigid base material with low shrinkage can be a solution to this problem. Moreover, a strong rigid base with high elastic modulus is able to shift the location of critical tensile strain from the bottom of the asphalt layer to the bottom of the rigid base layer, which can prevent fatigue cracking in the asphalt layer. METHODS : Sensitivity analysis of composite pavement via numerical methods is implemented to determine an appropriate range of elastic modulus of the rigid base that would eliminate fatigue cracking. Various asphalt thicknesses and elastic moduli of the rigid base are used in the analysis to study their respective influences on fatigue cracking. Low-shrinkage RCC mixture, as determined via laboratory testing with various amounts of a CSA expansion agent (0%, 7%, and 10%), is found to achieve an appropriate low-shrinkage level. Shrinkage of RCC is measured according to KS F 2424. RESULTS : This study shows that composite pavements comprising asphalt thicknesses of (h1) 2 in. with E2 > 19 GPa, 4 in. with E2 > 15 GPa, and 6 in. with E2 > 11 GPa are able to eliminate tensile strain in the asphalt layer, which is the cause of fatigue cracking in this layer. Shrinkage test results demonstrate that a 10% CSA RCC mixture can reduce shrinkage by 84% and 93% as compared to conventional RCC and PCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS : According to the results of numerical analyses using various design inputs, composite pavements are shown to be able to eliminate fatigue cracking in composite pavement. Additionally, an RCC mixture with 10% CSA admixture is able to reduce or eliminate reflective cracking in asphalt surfaces as a result of the significant shrinkage reduction in the RCC base. Thus, this low-shrinkage base material can be used as an alternative solution to distresses in composite pavement.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.563-566
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• 2000

The study is to examine the drying shrinkage reducing method of mortar using organic shrinkage reducing agent. According to the experiment result, when 2% and 4% of organic shrinkage reducing agent were added, 40% and 50% of the shrinkage rate of mortar were obtained. Also, in the cracking test of plate-shape specimen, the usage of shrinkage agent 2% reduced about 60% of the total cracking length compare to total cracking length the usage of portland cement, the usage of shrinkage agent 4% was not happened crack until 90 days. Accordingly, the usage of shrinkage agent show good effect in prevention of crack.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2015

Previous studies have shown that the drying shrinkage of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is greater than that of natural aggregate concrete (NAC). Drying shrinkage is the fundamental reason for the cracking of concrete, and tensile creep caused by the restraint of drying shrinkage plays a significant role in the cracking because it can relieve the tensile stress and results in the delay of cracking occurrence. However, up till now, all research has been focusing on the compressive creep of RAC. Therefore, in this study, a uniaxial restrained shrinkage cracking test was executed to investigate the tensile creep properties caused by the restraint of drying shrinkage of RAC. The mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, and Young's modulus of RAC were also investigated in this study. The results confirmed that the tensile creep of RAC caused by the restraint of shrinkage was about 20-30 % larger than that of NAC.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.102-108
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the reduction effect of shrinkage reducing agent for drying shrinkage induced cracking and suggest the method of controlling the cracking in concrete box culvert for power transmission. Based on drying shrinkage cracking mechanism, it is necessary to perform the numerical analysis, which involves shrinkage reducing effect of shrinkage reducing agent. From the numerical results, it is found that cracking behavior for longitudinal direction and transverse direction due to differential drying shrinkage of box culvert can occur and the experimental observation of concrete cracks support the numerical predictions. The shrinkage reducing agent reduced the concrete cracking by 40~50%, which shows the methodology of controlling of drying shrinkage cracks in box culverts in real construction site.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2003

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.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.224-233
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• 2017

In Korea, attempts have been made to develop high strength concrete for the safety and design life improvement of nuclear power plants. In this study, the cracking potentials of nuclear power plant-high strength concretes (NPP-HSCs) containing industrial by-products with W/B 0.34 and W/B 0.28, which are being reviewed for their application in the construction of containment structures, were evaluated through autogenous shrinkage, unrestrained drying shrinkage, and restrained drying shrinkage experiments. The cracking potentials of the NPP-HSCs with W/B 0.34 and W/B 0.28 were in the order of 0.34FA25 > 0.34FA25BFS25 > 0.34BFS50 > 0.34BFS65SF5 and 0.28FA25SF5 >> 0.28BFS65SF5 > 0.28BFS45SF5 > 0.28 FA20BFS25SF5, respectively. The cracking potentials of the seven mix proportions excluding 0.28FA25SF5 were lower than that of the existing nuclear power plant concrete; thus, the durability of a nuclear power plant against shrinkage cracking could be improved by applying the seven mix proportions with low cracking potentials.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2013

One of the biggest problems affecting bridges is the transverse cracking and deterioration of concrete bridge decks. The causes of early age cracking are primarily attributed to plastic shrinkage, temperature effects, autogenous shrinkage, and drying shrinkage. The cracks can be influenced by material characteristics, casting sequence, formwork, climate conditions, geometry, and time dependent factors. The cracking of bridge decks not only creates unsightly aesthetic condition but also greatly reduces durability. It leads to a loss of functionality, loss of stiffness, and ultimately loss of structural safety. This investigation consists of field, laboratory, and analytical phases. The experimental and field testing investigate the early age transverse cracking of bridge decks and evaluate the use of sealant materials. The research identifies suitable materials, for crack sealing, with an ability to span cracks of various widths and to achieve performance criteria such as penetration depth, bond strength, and elongation. This paper also analytically examines the effect of a wide range of parameters on the development of cracking such as the number of spans, the span length, girder spacing, deck thickness, concrete compressive strength, dead load, hydration, temperature, shrinkage, and creep. The importance of each parameter is identified and then evaluated. Also, the AASHTO Standard Specification limits liveload deflections to L/800 for ordinary bridges and L/1000 for bridges in urban areas that are subject to pedestrian use. The deflection is found to be an important parameter to affect cracking. A set of recommendations to limit the transverse deck cracks in bridge decks is also presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2004

A rational and simple analytical model to predict the time varying cracking moment of reinforced concrete sections under sustained loading is developed. The modeling procedure is based on equilibrium and compatibility requirements and takes into account the interdependent effects of creep and shrinkage as well as the presence of axial loading. A parametric study is conducted in which particular consideration is given to the effects of reinforcement ratio, level of loading, and creep and shrinkage characteristics of concrete. It is concluded that the reduction in cracking moment is mainly attributed to shrinkage. The effect of shrinkage is more pronounced at low levels of sustained loading and at high reinforcement ratios. This effect is lessened by the compression steel and creep particularly when the applied moment is near the cracking moment.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.05b
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• pp.9-12
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• 2005

In this study, to investigate shrinkage and cracking behavior of 120MPa UHSC, free and restrained drying shrinkage test were performed. Three strength levels(50MPa, 80MPa, 120MPa) were used and the effect of mineral admixtures(fly ash, slag) on free and restrained shrinkage was investigated. From comparing the result of pin -penetration test with the result of ring test, Time-Zero was determined as initial set. Shrinkage test results show that autogenous shrinkage of UHSC was much higher than that of HSC, VHSC and fly ash delayed cracking age in UHSC by decreasing autogenous shrinkage. Additional free concrete rings(with restraint removed) were also tested to check the influence of the geometry of the specimens on free shrinkage. And then the relationship between free shrinkage and restrained shrinkage was investigated.