Effect of gypsum on free and restrained shrinkage behaviour of slag-concretes subjected to various curing conditions

The effect of gypsum in slag-blended cement on free and restrained shrinkage of concrete subjected to various curing conditions is presented in this paper. Added gypsum in slag-blended cements was found to increase the autogenous shrinkage of concrete up to 56 days. However, added gypsum caused small reduction in the long-term shrinkage when the concrete was exposed to drying. Slag concretes with 3% added gypsum content, when exposed to drying at the age of 24 h, exhibited more cracking tendency than comparable concrete with 0% added gypsum. This is attributed to the increased shrinkage evolution of slag concrete with 3% gypsum content at early ages. However, if moist cured for 7 days, increasing the amount of gypsum from 3 to 5% in slag-blended cement reduced the cracking tendency. It is concluded that the beneficial effect of increasing gypsum in reducing cracking tendency in slag concrete is only favourable if moist cured for 7 days.