Study on autogenous shrinkage property of HPC column by one embedded strain transduser

High performance concrete (HPC) is one of the vital materials in civil engineering field throughout the world for its high strength, high durability and low permeability etc. while due to its relative low water cement ratio and the use of mineral admixtures, it may develop considerable AS (autogenous shrinkage) due to self-desiccation at early age compared to ordinary concrete. The pretty higher AS is one of the main reasons for the early age cracking of HPC structures, and cracking may possibly result in premature corrosion of the steel reinforcement, and spalling of the concrete. This paper aims at monitoring the AS values of real size HPC columns (40cm × 40cm × 100cm) by embedded strain gauge under similar external surroundings to that of construction site. The results show that the amount of HPC AS is comparative to drying shrinkage. By comparing PHPC (plain HPC column) and RHPC (reinforced HPC column) specimens, influence of reinforced bars on AS and temperature variation has been also analyzed. This research result provides important references on further exploration on HPC early age property and HPC cracking control.