TESTING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE MECHANICAL-BEHAVIOR OF EARLY AGE CONCRETE UNDER RESTRAINED AND FREE UNIAXIAL SHRINKAGE

A modified uniaxial restrained shrinkage test was developed, characterized by complete automation and high accuracy of measurements. The system developed was such that tensile stresses remained constant throughout the cross-section, excluding any premature failure of specimen. This testing arrangement enables separation of creep strain from shrinkage by means of simultaneous testing of twin specimens, one under restrained shrinkage, and the other under free shrinkage. A variety of mechanical characteristics of the concrete (individual components of strain, shrinkage stresses, moduli of elasticity, creep coefficient and tensile strength) may be determined in one test. Results using this testing arrangement are presented for concrete cured in sealed conditions for 1 day and then exposed to drying at 30-degrees-C/40% RH.