Quasi-instantaneous and long-term deformations of high performance concrete with sealed curing

This article outlines an experimental and numerical study on quasi-instantaneous and long-term deformations of high performance concrete subjected to sealed curing. For this purpose more than 100 cylinders and 400 cubes were made of eight concretes and studied in relation to creep and shrinkage, hydration, internal relative humidity, and compressive strength. One heat-cured concrete was studied at temperatures other than 20 degrees C varying between -20 degrees C and 60 degrees C. Analyses were carried out of quasi-instantaneous deformation, short- and long-term basic creep, and autogenous shrinkage. Relationships were obtained between elastic modulus and creep compliance, and hydration, internal relative humidity, and compressive strength. New and original results are presented on relationships between autogenous shrinkage and internal relative humidity. Other results confirm and validate earlier findings of normal strength concrete regarding relationships between creep compliance, porosity, compressive strength, and maturity for high performance concrete. The project was carried out at Lund Institute of Technology between 1992 and 1996. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.