JANUARY 2008

STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS TEST LABORATORY

SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE: CREEP AND SHRINKAGE CHARACTERISTICS

BY PROF. M.G. OLIVA PROF. S. CRAMER

CIVIL ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Self Consolidating Concrete: Creep and Shrinkage Characteristics

Report To Spancrete and County Materials

Prof. Michael G. Oliva Prof. Steven Cramer

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin January 2008

Abstract
Shrinkage and creep characteristics of concrete are significant factors in the design of prestressed concrete structures. Shrinkage and creep both directly affect the degree to which the concrete changes in length over time. These changes in length are accompanied by a change in length of the prestressing tendons which then leads to a loss of prestress, and may also cause vertical deflections in girders. The objective of the test program described here was to measure the shrinkage and creep characteristics of SCC mixes used by Spancrete and County Materials to evaluate whether they are acceptable for use in precast, prestressed concrete highway bridge girders. A normal concrete mix from Spancrete was used as a basic reference. A simple SCC mix and a second SCC mix that included granulated slag were sampled from Spancrete. A simple SCC mix was sampled from County Materials. Based on the results and observations, it should be concluded that the SCC mixes from Spancrete do in fact exhibit high dimension change due to creep and shrinkage. The creep and shrinkage in the County SCC mix was about the same as the Spancrete normal mix. Creep and shrinkage strains, approximately twice that of a normal mix, do constitute a significant increase in the effects of creep and shrinkage which, in turn, would likely result in less than expected long term prestress in a girder after losses (if the higher loss was not accounted for in design) and undesirable girder behavior.

Acknowledgements
The work described here was conducted at the University with joint funding provided by Spancrete and County Materials. A group of UW graduate students contributed to the project including Paul Georgieff, Dominique Piette, Jeff Barker, Han Ug Bae, and Tung Doan.

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Table of Contents
Abstract .............................................................. i Acknowledgements ............................................ ii Problem Definition ............................................. 1 Objectives .......................................................... 1 Scope .................................................................. 1 Tests and Testing Procedures .............................. 1. Shrinkage tests .......................................... 2. Creep tests ................................................. 3. Other tests ................................................. 2 2 4 7

Test Specimen Matrix ........................................ 9 Test Results ........................................................ 11 Slump, Slump Flow, and J-ring Tests ............ 11 Strength and Modulus Tests ........................... 13 Shrinkage Test Results ................................... 16 Creep test Results ........................................... 20 Executive Summary ............................................ 30 Flowability ..................................................... 30 Elastic Modulus ............................................. 30 Concrete Strength ........................................... 31 Creep and Shrinkage Combined .................... 31 Shrinkage ....................................................... 32 Creep .............................................................. 32 Comparison with AASHTO .......................... 33 Conclusions ......................................................... 34

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Problem Definition:
Shrinkage and creep characteristics of concrete are significant factors in the design of prestressed concrete structures. Shrinkage and creep both directly affect the degree to which the concrete changes in length over time. These changes in length are accompanied by a change in length of the prestressing tendons which then leads to a loss of prestress, and may also cause vertical deflections in girders. Therefore, it is important that all concrete mixes exude acceptable long-term shrinkage and creep characteristics for use in prestressed structures. As a result, the proposed self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixes produced by Spancrete and County Materials were subject to testing for the purpose of establishing their shrinkage and creep characteristics.

Objective:
The objective of the test program described here was to measure the shrinkage and creep characteristics of SCC mixes used by Spancrete and County Materials to evaluate whether they are acceptable for use in precast, prestressed concrete highway bridge girders. Estimating accurate prestress loss in girders due to shrinkage and creep is critical to ensure that sufficient prestress still exists in the girder to resist highway truck loading over its service life. Unexpected high shrinkage or creep could result in lower than expected prestress, increased deflections and undesirable girder behavior.

Scope:
The primary goal of this study was to check that the Spancrete and County Materials SCC mixes do not exhibit high dimension change due to shrinkage and creep. This was accomplished by experimentally measuring dimension change over a long period of time. A measure of what constitutes high dimension change was attained by simultaneously measuring the dimension change in a standard concrete mix that is currently being used for production of highway girders and comparing with the new SCC mixes. Three basic concrete mixes were examined (with the designations in parenthesis): Standard aggregate mix currently being used in highway girders (N) 3/8 SCC concrete mix developed by Spancrete (S) SCC mix developed by County Materials (C) A fourth alternate mix was also examined for possible future use: 3/8 Spancrete SCC concrete mix that includes ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) (SS) Each of the mixes were subjected to: 1.) shrinkage tests, 2.) creep tests, 3.) strength tests, 4.) modulus of elasticity measurements, 5.) slump or cone flow measurement, and 6.) Jring flow measurement.

Samples from three different batches were obtained for each of the three different concrete mixes to ensure a random sampling of the concrete. The concrete test specimens were produced under University supervision from concrete that was batched and mixed at the Spancrete and County Materials plants and supplied to the University. Specific details of the tests performed are described in the following sections for each type of test.

Tests and Testing Procedures:

Test procedures generally following ASTM standard procedures with some exceptions as noted in the descriptions below. Deviations from standard procedures are contemplated in the ASTM standards. The deviations were not judged as critical for the purpose of this test program since the primary purpose was to compare the behavior of the SCC concrete with the normal aggregate mix. Both sets of specimens were subjected to the same deviations and comparison of results was valid. While concrete sample production took place at the Spancrete and County Materials plants, most of the tests were conducted at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Only the slump or cone flow and the J-ring tests were conducted at the Spancrete and County Materials plants immediately after the concrete was batched and mixed. 1. Shrinkage tests: Shrinkage tests were conducted following the ASTM C-157 Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete. ASTM C-157 specifies that the specimens are to be maintained in an environment at 73 +/- 3 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 50 +/- 4% and that the air movement past the specimens shall be such that the evaporation is 77 +/-30 mL/(24h) from an atmometer. The storage conditions at the University met the temperature requirement, but did not attempt to match the relative humidity or air movement requirements. This variation was made to reduce the cost of setting up special storage conditions for this test. Since both the normal and the SCC mixes were subjected to the same conditions, the measured differences in shrinkage still provided a valid basis for judgment of the SCC mix. Shrinkage test specimens were 4-inch square prisms 11.25 inches in length and were cast at the Spancrete and County Materials plants. The test specimens were

initially subjected to the same curing conditions during the first 24 hours (temperature and moisture) as used in the highway bridge girder curing. The test prisms were placed in water for 30 minutes before initial measurement. This initial immersion was a variance from the C-157 procedure with lime water submersion and was deemed appropriate for the purpose of measuring prestress loss in the highway bridge girders. The initial length readings were taken subsequent to the immersion. ASTM C-157 specifies that after the initial readings, the specimens are to be stored in lime water to 28 days and then in air storage as noted above. However, since the creep test was started at 2 days of age, it was deemed appropriate to deviate from ASTM in this respect. After the prisms were removed from their molds and held in water for 30 minutes, they were then kept at room conditions matching those of the creep specimens - allowing the measurements of the creep specimens to be corrected for the measured shrinkage under the same temperature and humidity conditions. Succeeding length readings were taken at 4, 8, 14, and 28 days after casting, followed by bi-monthly, then monthly readings using an HM-250D Length Comparator with digital indicator. Three specimens cast from different batches of each of the four different concrete mixes were measured. (Spancrete had an additional fourth batch described later.) Figures 1 3 show shrinkage specimen preparation and testing.

Figure 1: 4 X 4 X 11 concrete prisms were cast at the Spancrete and County Materials plants which were then transported to the University. At the University, the prisms were stripped from the molds followed by initial shrinkage readings and storage.

Figure 2: The HM-250D Length Comparator with digital indicator was used to measure shrinkage at the University. 2. Creep tests:

Figure 3: Shrinkage prism readings were performed in accordance with ASTM C-157.

The creep testing generally followed ASTM C-512 Standard Test Method for Creep in Compression. ASTM C-512 specifies that the creep test specimens be stored at 73.4 +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 50 +/- 4%. The storage conditions for this test varied from those specified in C-512, but aimed to meet the requirements described previously for the shrinkage test specimens. As stated previously, these variations were made to reduce the cost of setting up special storage conditions for this test. Since both the normal and the SCC mixes were subjected to the same conditions, the measured differences in creep provide a valid basis for judgment of the SCC mix. ASTM C-512 specifies that the length between header plates used to apply a constant compression force to the test specimens cannot be greater than 70 inches (5.83 feet). A length of 84 inches (7 feet) was used in these tests to accommodate 6 test specimens in series. The ASTM-specified ages at initial loading (2 days, 7 days, 28 days, 90 days and 1 year) were not used for these tests. The date of initial loading for the primary set of test specimens was selected as 2 days of age to simulate the age at which bridge girders are subjected to prestress. A second set of specimens was loaded at

a 28 day reference age for initial loading. Due to initial problems in the creep testing, one set of Spancrete specimens was inadvertently started at 12 days and another at 32 rather than 2 and 28 days. An replacement set of specimens was subsequently obtained (labeled G) from Spancrete and testing was started at 2 days. Thus, for some Spancrete mixes there was one set of specimens started at 2 days and another set at 12 days. ASTM specifies that the specimens should be loaded at an intensity of not more than 40% of the compression strength at time of loading. Since these tests were simulating prestressed girders, the ASTM load intensity was modified. The stress in the concrete of prestressed girders, adjacent to the steel strands, varies along the length of a girder and varies with age and applied live loading. At time of prestress transfer, the concrete compression stress near the end of a girder may reach 3800 psi and may be 3500 psi near the center of the girder. Under permanent dead load from the bridge structure, the concrete compression stress at midspan may drop to near zero, while remaining high at the girder end. For the purpose of this study, (1) the specimens that were loaded at 2 days of age were to be subjected to 3800 psi for the first 28 days. After 28 days, the compression load was to be reduced to 2000 psi to simulate the effect of placing the weight of a concrete deck on bridge girders and reducing the initial compression at the bottom of the girder. (2) The specimens loaded at 28 days age were to receive only the 2000 psi of compressive stress. Creep measurement were conducted for a period of 1 year after the loading was applied to the specimens. Six specimens cast from different batches of each of the four different concrete mixes were measured. Half the specimens were to be loaded at 2 days, while the other half of the specimens were loaded at 28 or 32 days. One unplanned set was loaded at 12 days. Figures 4-11 show the creep test setup.

Figure 4: Metal tabs were placed 10 apart on both sides of all creep test 6 X 12 cylinders with epoxy for future readings. 5

Figure 5: A temporary wooden frame aided in building each creep rig. 6 X 6 cylinders were cut and placed at each end followed by bearing plates and tension tendons.

Figure 6: Chucks were placed around each tension strand to sustain the desired compressive load on the creep rigs.

Figure 7: A spherical head nut placed at the end of the jack was used to apply pure axial load while the dual plates were used to maintain load after jacking.

Figure 8: An Enerpac cylinder jack was used to pull the strands into the desired tensile stress, placing the creep cylinders under compression.

Figure 9: An Enerpac Hush-Pup electric pump was connected to the jack enabling the jack to apply the load to the creep rigs.

Figure 10: After assembly and loading, the creep rigs were hung vertically on a steel suspension system for storage. 3. Other tests:

Figure 11: A Soiltest multi-length strain gauge set was used to take creep readings from the metal tabs.

The remaining tests (strength, modulus, slump [ASTM C1611/C1611M-05] and J-ring [ASTM WK7552]) were conducted at various time intervals. Figures 12 through 19 show the tests being conducted at the plant and lab.

Figure 12: All cylinders and prisms were cast at Spancrete and County Materials plants in accordance with ASTM.

Figure 13: J-ring flow tests were performed on every batch used for shrinkage prisms and creep cylinders.

Figure 14: In addition to Jring tests, slump flow tests were also performed on every batch at the Spancrete and County Materials plants.

Figure 15: Slump flow was measured in accordance with ASTM C1611 standards.

Modulus and Strength Tests

Figure 16: Both modulus and strength tests were performed in the STML Lab at the University with a SATEC machine following ASTM standards.

Figure 17: An HM-131 Compressometer/Extensometer was attached to the loaded cylinders to obtain vertical and radial displacements

Figure 18: After modulus testing, each cylinder underwent ultimate compressive strength testing in accordance with ASTM standards.

Figure 19: Strength test cylinders were compressed to failure. Each failure was then classified under ASTM failure mode specifications.

Test Specimen Matrix:

Three batches (1, 2, and 3) per mix were used to ensure random sampling of concrete with the designations as follows used for specimens. A later fourth additional set of samples was taken from the Spancrete plant and labeled with the G designation. Shrinkage tests: 1 prism was taken for each batch, County Materials SCC Mix: C-1, C-2, C-3 Spancrete Standard Mix: N-1, N-2, N-3, N-G Spancrete SCC Mix: S-1, S-2, S-3, S-G Spancrete SCC w/ slag Mix: SS-1, SS-2, SS-3, SS-G (Shrinkage readings corresponded with the creep readings) Creep tests: multiple cylinders were taken for each batch, County Materials SCC Mix: o Batch 1: C-1A, C-1B o Batch 2: C-2A, C-2B o Batch 3: C-3A, C-3B (A cylinders were tested starting at 2 days age, the B at 28 days) 9

Spancrete Standard Mix: o Batch 1: N-1B, N-1D o Batch 2: N-2B, N-2D o Batch 3: N-3B, N-3D o N-G1 (G began testing at 2 days of age, D at 12, and B at 32 days) Spancrete SCC Mix: o Batch 1: S-1B, S-1D o Batch 2: S-2B, S-2D o Batch 3: S-3B, S-3D o S-G1 (G began testing at 2 days of age, D at 12, and B at 32 days) Spancrete SCC w/ slag Mix: o Batch 1: SS-1B, SS-1D o Batch 2: SS-2B, SS-2D o Batch 3: SS-3B, SS-3D o SS-G1 (G began testing at 2 days of age, D at 12, and B at 32 days)

Strength and modulus tests: County Materials SCC Mix: 18 cylinders were taken, 6 cylinders for each batch, o Batch 1: C-1A, C-1B, C-1C, C-1D, C-1E, C-1F o Batch 2: C-2A, C-2B, C-2C, C-2D, C-2E, C-2F o Batch 3: C-3A, C-3B, C-3C, C-3D, C-3E, C-3F (A cylinders were tested at 1 day of age, B at 7 days, C 28 days, D 90, and E and F 500 days) Spancrete Standard Mix: o Batch 1: N-1A, N-1B, N-1C o Batch 2: N-2A, N-2B, N-2C o Batch 3: N-3A, N-3B, N-3C o N-G2 (A cylinders were tested at 1 day, B at 7, and C and G at 28 days; N-B cylinders were tested for strength, but not modulus) Spancrete SCC Mix: o Batch 1: S-1A, S-1B, S-1C o Batch 2: S-2A, S-2B, S-2C o Batch 3: S-3A, S-3B, S-3C o S-G2 (A cylinders were tested at 1 day, B at 7, and C and G2 at 28 days; S-B cylinders were tested for strength, but not modulus) Spancrete SCC Mix w/ slag: o Batch 1: SS-1A, SS-1B, SS-1C o Batch 2: SS-2A, SS-2B, SS-2C o Batch 3: SS-3A, SS-3B, SS-3C o SS-G2

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(A cylinders were tested at 1 day, B at 7, and C and G2 at 28 days; SS-B cylinders were tested for strength, but not modulus) Creep Rig Setup: (cylinders placed in each rig) o Rig 1: S-1D, SS-3D, SS-2D, SS-1D o Rig 2: N-1D, N-2D, N-3D, S-2D, S-3D o Rig 3: S-G1, SS-G1, N-G1, C-1B, C-3B o Rig 4: S-2B, SS-2B, SS-3B, N-2B, N-3B o Rig 5: N-1B, SS-1B, S-3B, S-1B o Rig 6: C-1A, C-2A, C-3A, C-2B

Test Results:
Slump, Slump Flow, and J-ring Tests: The following tables display the results of the tests performed at the Spancrete and County Materials plants where batching and casting occurred.
Table 1: Spancrete Standard Mix Batching Information
Standard 3/4' aggregate mix (N) - Spancrete Slump Test Prisms Time of Temp Time of Loose Batching Time Slump (in) (F) casting Time 13:05 13:10 7.75 74 13:15 14:45 13:35 13:38 8.5 74 13:40 14:45 13:57 14:01 8.5 73 14:03 14:45 4/13/2006 8 Cylinders (Times) 2 6 Strength & Creep Modulus 13:15 13:16 13:41 13:39 14:01 14:03

Batch 1 2 3

Table 2: Spancrete SCC Mix Batching Information

Self-Consolidating Concrete 3/8 aggregate mix (S) Spancrete J-ring Test Batch Time of Batch Diameter 1 (in) 16.75 16.25 21.25 Diameter 2 (in) 15.5 15.75 19.75 Slump Flow Test 73.3 F Diameter 1 (in) 19.5 18 21.5 Diameter 2 (in) 19 17.5 21 Prisms Time of casting 9:40 9:59 10:18 Loose Time 10:32 10:55 10:55 4/13/2006 8 Cylinders (Times) 6 2 Strength Creep & Modulus 9:47 9:47 9:57 9:59 10:16 10:14

Time 9:39 9:56 10:12

Time 9:39 10:00 10:12

1 2 3

9:35 9:53 10:09

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Table 3: Spancrete SCC with slag Mix Batching Information Self-Consolidating Concrete 3/8 aggregate with Slag mix (SS) Spancrete J-ring Test Batch Time of Batching Diameter 1 (in) 22 26.25 25.75 Diameter 2 (in) 20 24.25 25.25 Slump Flow Test 69 F Diameter 1 (in) 25.25 26.5 26.5 Diameter 2 (in) 25.25 27.5 26 Prisms Time of casting 8:53 9:09 9:27 Loose Time 9:53 10:09 10:27 4/13/2006 8 Cylinders (Times) 6 2 Strength Creep & Modulus 8:50 9:07 9:28 8:47 9:05 9:23

Time 8:45 9:04 9:21

Time 8:45 9:06 9:25

1 2 3

8:35 8:50 9:19

Table 4: County Materials SCC Mix Batching Information

Self-Consolidating Concrete mix (C) County Materials J-ring Test Batch Time of Batching Diameter 1 (in) 21.5 25 26 Diameter 2 (in) 20 23.5 24 Slump Flow Test Diameter 1 (in) 22 25 25.5 Diameter 2 (in) 21 23 25.5 Prisms Time of casting 11:10 11:50 12:12 Loose Time 11:30 12:20 12:30 8/31/2006 8 Cylinders (Times) 6 2 Strength Creep & Modulus 11:00 11:50 12:10 11:00 11:50 12:10

Time 11:00 11:47 12:10

Time 11:05 11:52 12:15

1 2 3

10:50 11:40 12:00

Table 5: Spancrete Standard G Mix Batching Information

2-Day Standard Mix (NG) - Spancrete Slump Test Air Time of Content Slump Batching Temp (F) (%) (in) 9:40 7.75 74 2.3 5/10/2006 Unit Weight (pcf) 154.8

Table 6: Spancrete SCC G Mix Batching Information

2-Day SCC Mix (SG) - Spancrete Slump Flow - 73 F Air Time of Content Batching Diameter Diameter (%) 1 (in) 2 (in) 9:20 22 22 5.6 5/10/2006 Unit Weight (pcf) 144.2

Table 7: Spancrete SCC w/ slag G Mix Batching Information

2-Day SCC Mix with slag (SSG) - Spancrete Slump Flow - 71 F Air Time of Content Batching Diameter Diameter (%) 1 (in) 2 (in) 9:00 25.5 25.75 6.5 5/10/2006 Unit Weight (pcf) 142.7

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Strength and Modulus Tests: Modulus Test Results:

Modulus of Elasticity "E" (based on 7.1 of ASTM C469-02) (psi) 2466000 2785000 3029000 2911000 2992000 4495000 4403000 4405000 4776000 4841000 4376000 Poisson's Ratio "" (based on 7.2 of ASTM C469-02) 0.22 0.12 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.12 0.21 0.25 0.18 0.13 0.18

Sample SS2A SS3A S1A S2A S3A N1A N2A N3A C1A C2A C3A

Table 8: 1-Day Modulus Test Results

Sample C1B C2B C3B

Modulus of Elasticity "E" (based on 7.1 of ASTM C469-02) (psi) 5089000 4975000 4681000

Poisson's Ratio "" (based on 7.2 of ASTM C469-02) 0.21 0.16 0.19

Table 9: 7-Day Modulus Test Results

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Sample SS1C SS2C SS3C SSG2 S1C S2C S3C SG2 N1C N2C N3C NG2 C1C C2C C3C

Modulus of Elasticity "E" (based on 7.1 of ASTM C469-02) (psi) 3286000 3904000 3668000 4026000 3716000 3511000 3564000 4667000 6255000 5140000 5482000 5518000 5035000 4986000 4822000

Poisson's Ratio "" (based on 7.2 of ASTM C469-02) 0.22 0.23 0.21 0.01 0.22 0.21 0.21 0.31 0.14 0.21 0.25 0.28 0.12 0.08 0.12

Table 10: 28-Day Modulus Test Results

Sample C1D C2D C3D

Modulus of Elasticity "E" (based on 7.1 of ASTM C469-02) (psi) 4350000 4994000 4887000

Poisson's Ratio "" (based on 7.2 of ASTM C469-02) 0.06 0.11 0.11

Table 11: 90-Day Modulus Test Results

Sample C1E C2E C3E C1F C2F C3F

Modulus of Elasticity "E" (based on 7.1 of ASTM C469-02) (psi) 5910000 5474000 5238000 5404000 5890000 5127000

Poisson's Ratio "" (based on 7.2 of ASTM C469-02) 0.18 0.13 0.12 0.18 0.11 0.12

Table 12: 392-Day Modulus Test Results

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Strength Test Results:

Sample SS1A SS2A SS3A S1A S2A S3A N1A N2A N3A C1A C2A C3A SS1B SS2B SS3B S1B S2B S3B N1B N2B N3B C1B C2B C3B SS1C SS2C SS3C SSG2 S1C S2C S3C SG2 N1C N2C N3C NG2 C1C C2C C3C Strength Tests Ultimate Compressive Load (lb) Strength (psi) 157950 165400 168510 179980 185120 179100 241570 230980 226770 199850 198050 193320 184830 202400 204210 201220 216000 209180 272480 273150 265830 223530 222860 208810 214410 219750 235720 230800 228590 245160 224430 208850 284910 297990 299390 293830 246780 245940 239520 5530 5870 5940 6380 6500 6360 8470 8140 7950 6970 7000 6840 6530 7100 7210 7040 7560 7360 9620 9660 9420 7880 7850 7280 7590 7780 8380 8150 8031 8690 7940 7400 10077 10440 10500 10230 8650 8560 8450

1-Day Strength

7-Day Strength

28-Day Strength

Table 12: Strength Test Results

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Sample 90-Day Strength C1D C2D C3D C1E C2E C3E C1F C2F C3F

Ultimate Load (lb) 280550 286770 273830 291310 303310 295360 289240 310180 283700

Compressive Strength (psi) 9920 10040 9650 10290 10710 10270 10230 10880 10010

392-Day Strength

Table 13: Strength Test Results

Shrinkage Test Results: The shrinkage data is plotted as decreasing length on the y-axis. Recall that the gage length of the prisms was 11.25 inches on average.
Spancrete Standard Prisms - Shrinkage Strain
0.000600 0.000500 Shrinkage Strain (in/in) 0.000400 0.000300 0.000200 0.000100 0.000000 0 -0.000100 -0.000200 Age (Days) N1 N2 N3 N-G 100 200 300 400 500 600

Figure 20: Spancrete Standard Mix Shrinkage

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Spancrete SCC Prisms - Shrinkage Strain

0.001200 0.001000 0.000800 Shrinkage Strain (in/in) 0.000600 0.000400 0.000200 0.000000 0 -0.000200 Age (Days) S1 S2 S3 S-G 100 200 300 400 500 600

Figure 21: Spancrete SCC Mix Shrinkage

Spancrete SCC w/ Slag Prisms - Shrinkage Strain
0.00120 0.00100 Shrinkage Strain (in/in) 0.00080 0.00060 0.00040 0.00020 0.00000 0 -0.00020 Age (Days) SS1 SS2 SS3 SS-G 100 200 300 400 500 600

Figure 22: Spancrete SCC with Slag Mix Shrinkage

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County Materials SCC Prisms - Shrinkage Strain

0.000700 0.000600 Shrinkage Strain (in/in) 0.000500 0.000400 0.000300 0.000200 0.000100 0.000000 0 50 100 150 200 Age (Days) C! C2 C3 250 300 350 400

Figure 23: County Materials SCC Mix Shrinkage

Shrinkage Strain Averages

0.00120 0.00100 0.00080 Strain (in/in) 0.00060 0.00040 0.00020 N 0.00000 0 -0.00020 Age (Days) 100 200 300 400 500 600 S SS C G

Figure 24: Spancrete & County Materials Shrinkage Averages: N=Spancrete normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS=Spancrete SCC plus slag, C=County SCC G=Spancrete SCC batch 2

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Creep Test Results: The following plots show the results of readings taken directly on the creep cylinders. As a result, the strain values represent the effects of both creep and shrinkage combined. The separate creep values can be obtained by correcting for the shrinkage results shown in the previous section since the cylinders and prisms were subjected to identical storage conditions. Note that the drop in strain at 28 days for the early loaded specimens was due to the change in the applied stress level at that time. Batch Results:
N-D loaded at 12 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains
0.0012

0.001

0.0008 Strain (inch/inch)

0.0006

0.0004

0.0002

0 0 100 200 300 Time (days) N1 N2 N3 All in rig 2 400 500 600

Figure 25: Spancrete 12-Day loading Normal Mix Creep + Shrinkage

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N-B loaded at 32 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.0018

0.0016

0.0014

0.0012 Strain (inch/inch)

0.001

0.0008

0.0006

0.0004

0.0002

0 0 100 200 300 Time (days) N1-32 N2-32 N3-32 N1 is in rig 5; N2 & N3 in rig 4 400 500 600

Figure 26: Spancrete 32-Day loading Normal Mix Creep + Shrinkage

S-D loaded at 12 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.002500

0.002000

Strain (inch/inch)

0.001500

0.001000

0.000500

0.000000 0 100 200 300 Time (days) S1 S2 S3 S1 in rig 1; S2 & S3 in rig 2 400 500 600

Figure 27: Spancrete 12-Day loading SCC Mix Creep + Shrinkage

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S-B loaded at 32 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.003

0.0025

0.002 Strain (inch/inch)

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 100 200 300 Time (days) S2 in rig 4; S1 & S3 in rig 5 S1-32 S2-32 S3-32 400 500 600

Figure 28: Spancrete 32-Dayloading SCC Mix Creep + Shrinkage

SS-D loaded at 12 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.003000

0.002500

0.002000 Strain (inch/inch)

0.001500

0.001000

0.000500

0.000000 0 100 200 300 Time (days) SS1 SS2 SS3 All in rig 1 400 500 600

Figure 29: Spancrete 12-Day loading SCC w/Slag Mix Creep + Shrinkage

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SS-B loaded at 32 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.0025

0.002

Strain (inch/inch)

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 100 200 300 Time (days) SS1-32 SS2-32 SS3-32 SS1 in rig 5; SS2 & SS3 in rig 4 400 500 600

Figure 30: Spancrete 32-Day loading SCC w/Slag Mix Creep + Shrinkage
G loaded at 2 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains
0.004

0.0035

0.003

Strain (inch/inch)

0.0025

0.002

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 100 200 300 Time (days) NG 2day SG 2day SSG 2day All in rig 3 400 500 600

Figure 31: Spancrete 2-Day G-Specimen Creep + Shrinkage NG=normal mix, SG=SCC, SSG=SCC plus slag

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C-A loaded at 2 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains

0.0014 0.0012 0.001 Strain (in/in) 0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 -0.0002 -0.0004 Time (days) C1 C2 C3 All in rig 6 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Figure 32: County Materials 2-Dayloading SCC Mix Creep + Shrinkage Note: The metals tabs were broken off during erection in the University lab which explains the temporary flux in the C1 creep readings during the first 30 days.
C-B loaded at 28 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strains
0.0012 0.001 Strain (in/in) 0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 0 50 100 150 200 Time (days) C1 C2 C3 C1 & C3 in rig 3, C2 in rig 6 250 300 350 400

Figure 33: County Materials 28-Day loading SCC Mix Creep + Shrinkage

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Start day comparisons within mixes:

Spancrete Normal Mix - Creep + Shrinkage Strain
0.0014 0.0012 0.001

Strain (in/in)

0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Days After Loading N12 N32 NG-2

Figure 34: Spancrete Normal Mix, Creep + Shrinkage for 2, 12, and 32 day starts
Spancrete SCC Mix - Creep + Shrinkage Strain
0.004 0.0035 0.003 0.0025 0.002 0.0015 0.001 0.0005 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Days After Loading S12 S32 SG-2

Strain (in/in)

Figure 35: Spancrete SCC Mix, Creep + Shrinkage for 2, 12, and 32 day starts

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Spancrete SCC Mix w/ Slag - Creep + Shrinkage Strain

0.003

0.0025

0.002 Strain (in/in)

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Days After Loading SS12 SS32 SSG-2

Figure 36: Spancrete SCC w/Slag Mix, Creep + Shrinkage for 2, 12, and 32 day starts

County Materials SCC Mix - Creep + Shrinkage Strain

0.0012 0.001 0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Days After Loading C2 C28

Strain (in/in)

Figure 37: County Materials SCC Mix, Creep + Shrinkage for 2 and 28 day starts

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Group Average Comparisons:

Spancrete mixes loaded at 12 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strain
0.003

0.0025

0.002 Strain (inch/inch)

0.0015 ` 0.001

0.0005

0 0 100 200 300 Days after casting 400 500 600

3800psi up to 28 days, then 2000psi N S SS

Figure 38: Spancrete Mixes loaded at 12 days N=normal, S=SCC, SS=SCC plus slag
Spancrete mixes loaded at 32 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strain
0.0025

0.002

Strain (inch/inch)

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 30 80 130 180 230 280 Days after casting N S SS 330 380 430 480 530

Figure 39: Spancrete Mixes loaded at 32 days N=normal, S=SCC, SS=SCC plus slag

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Spancrete mixes loaded at 2 days - Creep + Shrinkage Strain

0.004

0.0035

0.003

Strain (inch/inch)

0.0025

0.002

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 100 200 300 Days after casting N S SS 400 500 600

Figure 40: Spancrete Mixes loaded at 2 days N=normal, S=SCC, SS=SCC plus slag Note: Group averages for County Materials SCC mixes were shown in Figure 37

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Loaded at 28 days - Pure Creep Strain

0.00180 0.00160 0.00140 0.00120 Strain (inch/inch) 0.00100 0.00080 0.00060 0.00040 0.00020 N 0.00000 0 50 100 150 200 250 Time (days) 300 350 400 450 500 S SS C

Figure 41: Comparison: pure creep strains- loaded at 28 days N=Spancrete normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC
Loaded at 2 days - Pure Creep Strain
0.003

0.0025

0.002 Strain (inch/inch)

0.0015

0.001

0.0005

0 0 50 100 150 200 250 Time (days) N S SS C 300 350 400 450 500

Figure 42: Comparison: pure creep strains- loaded at 2 days N=Spancrete normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC 28

Executive Summary:
Flowability: All of the SCC mixes exhibited a high slump compared to the normal concrete mix currently used in bridge girders. The normal mix had an average slump cone measurement of 7.9 inches. Slump was measured in the SCC mixes using slump flow and the J-ring tests. The average flow diameters from the slump flow tests are shown in Figure 43.

Figure 43. Slump flow measurements for the SCC mixes. S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC Elastic Modulus: SCC mixes from Spancrete had a lower elastic modulus in compression than the normal mix concrete, about 65% of the normal. Modulus values are compared in Figure 44.

Figure 44. Elastic modulus values for all the mixes. N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC

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Concrete Strength: All of the SCC mixes showed similar strength values, which were lower than the strength of the normal concrete mix. The SCC concrete appeared to reach strength at a slower rate than the normal mix. The concrete strengths are shown in Figure 45.

Figure 45. Concrete strengths (note: log axis). N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC Creep and Shrinkage: The creep tests actually measured combined creep plus shrinkage. A comparison of total creep plus shrinkage losses over a one year period is shown in Figure 46.
1-Year Creep + Shrinkage Strain
loaded at 2 days 0.0035 0.003 0.0025

Strain (in/in)

0.002 0.0015 0.001 0.0005 0

SS

Figure 46. Combined creep plus shrinkage over one year. N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC

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Shrinkage: The Spancrete SCC mixes developed 75% more shrinkage than the normal concrete mix over the one year period. The County SCC mix had 20% more shrinkage than the normal concrete in the one year period. Average shrinkage results are shown in Figure 47.

Figure 47. Shrinkage strain developed in one year. N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC Creep: A significantly earlier loading time can have an effect on the degree of creep strain produced in the Spancrete SCC mix but not in the other mixes. The other mixes appeared to be less affected by time of loading or the higher initial loading that was used in the 2day loaded test. The standard mix (N) used by Spancrete had considerably less creep and shrinkage than did the Spancrete SCC mixes. The County SCC mix does not show substantially different creep behavior from the normal mix. Creep results are shown in Figure 48.

Figure 48. Comparison of measured creep strains with loading at 2 and 32 days. N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC

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Comparison with AASHTO predictions: The AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (2007)1 provide a series of equations, developed through a recent NCHRP project, that are suggested for prediction of creep and shrinkage losses in prestressed concrete bridge girders. Those equations were used with each of the concrete mixes tested in this program to compare existing creep predictions with the amounts measured in this test program. Figure 49 shows the average measured creep strain after one year for the specimens loaded at 2 days in comparison to the AASHTO predicted amount of strain. The Spancrete SCC mixes exhibit substantially higher creep than would be calculated in beam design using the AASHTO approach.
1-Year Creep Strains
0.0025 0.002

loaded at 2 days

Strain (in/in)

0.0015 0.001 0.0005 0 -0.0005

S
AASHTO

SS
data

Figure 49. Comparison of measured and predicted creep. N= normal, S=Spancrete SCC, SS= Spancrete SCC + slag, C=County SCC The creep data for the Spancrete normal mix (N) is shown in Figure 50a as compared to the expected AASHTO predicted creep and in Figure 50b over an extended time period.
Creep Strain - Normal Concrete
0.0009 0.0008 0.0007 Strain (inch/inch) 0.0006 0.0005 0.0004 0.0003 0.0002 0.0001 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Time (days)

data

AASHTO

Figure 50a. Comparison of normal concrete creep and AASHTO prediction.

1

AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 4th Ed., 2007

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Creep Strain - Normal Concrete

0.0012 0.001

Strain (inch/inch)

0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 0 5000 10000 15000 20000

Time (days)

data

AASHTO

data trendline

Figure 50b. Normal concrete creep data (to 365 days) shown with a logarithmic trendline along with the AASHTO strain prediction.

Conclusions:
The objective of this study, as stated in the first section, was to determine whether SCC mixes used by Spancrete and County Materials in precast, prestressed highway bridge girders would act like ordinary portland cement concrete with 3/4inch aggregate. This was to be done by proving that these mixes do not display a high degree of dimension change over long periods when under constant loading. Based on the results and observations presented previously, it should be concluded that the SCC mixes from Spancrete do in fact exhibit high dimension change due to creep and shrinkage. The creep and shrinkage in the County SCC mix was about the same as the Spancrete normal mix. Creep and shrinkage strains, approximately twice that of a normal mix, do constitute a significant increase in the effects of creep and shrinkage which, in turn, would likely result in less than expected long term prestress in a girder after losses (if the higher loss was not accounted for in design) and undesirable girder behavior. The AASHTO LRFD (2007) prediction of shrinkage strain and creep strain in a Wisconsin 54W girder at one year, assuming an initial stress of 3800 psi on the noncomposite girder followed by a stress 2000 psi in the composite girder would give values of: sh~0.0003in/in, cr~0.0013in/in. These values compare very well with the average

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values measured in the normal concrete: sh~0.0004in/in, cr~0.0008in/in. The increased volume change in the SCC concrete would appear to require a modification of the AASHTO prestress loss prediction equations for bridge girders. Further research on varying mixes may be warranted. Careful consideration should take place to ensure the safety of the implementation of SCC in highway bridge girders by accounting for the expected effects of shrinkage and creep in reducing the long term prestress remaining in a bridge girder.

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