• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.10-17
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• 2001

With the introduction of durability examination into design code of concrete structure, a prediction of early-age behavior of concrete and its cracking resistance becomes very important. But, the early-age behaviors such as hydration, micro-structure development, moisture transport and mechanical properties development is quite complicated and coupled each other, and thus those can not be solved independently. One way to analyze those is to model their behaviors analytically and solve those computationally within a unified framework. In this paper, we propose a finite element technique to predict the early-age behaviors of concrete within the unified framework. The technique is applied to evaluatio of cracking in a massive concrete structure and then the analysis results are discussed.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.299-305
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• 1994

An experimental test section was placed in Pangyo-Guri Expressway to monitor the performance of CRCP(Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement). So far early-age behaviors of the test section have been monitored for about two years. The purposes of this paper are to analyze the early-age behavior and temperature pattern of the test section and to compare the results with those of similar test sections placed in Houston. As results of this study, following findings were obtained. The results of Pangyo-Guri test section were generally better than those of Houston test sections in terms of the early-age crack patterns. Type II cement was more effective than type I cement in controlling the early-age cracking. Afternoon placement was more effective than morning construction in controlling the early-age cracking in summer season.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2013

One of the biggest problems affecting bridges is the transverse cracking and deterioration of concrete bridge decks. The causes of early age cracking are primarily attributed to plastic shrinkage, temperature effects, autogenous shrinkage, and drying shrinkage. The cracks can be influenced by material characteristics, casting sequence, formwork, climate conditions, geometry, and time dependent factors. The cracking of bridge decks not only creates unsightly aesthetic condition but also greatly reduces durability. It leads to a loss of functionality, loss of stiffness, and ultimately loss of structural safety. This investigation consists of field, laboratory, and analytical phases. The experimental and field testing investigate the early age transverse cracking of bridge decks and evaluate the use of sealant materials. The research identifies suitable materials, for crack sealing, with an ability to span cracks of various widths and to achieve performance criteria such as penetration depth, bond strength, and elongation. This paper also analytically examines the effect of a wide range of parameters on the development of cracking such as the number of spans, the span length, girder spacing, deck thickness, concrete compressive strength, dead load, hydration, temperature, shrinkage, and creep. The importance of each parameter is identified and then evaluated. Also, the AASHTO Standard Specification limits liveload deflections to L/800 for ordinary bridges and L/1000 for bridges in urban areas that are subject to pedestrian use. The deflection is found to be an important parameter to affect cracking. A set of recommendations to limit the transverse deck cracks in bridge decks is also presented.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.293-296
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• 2004

In this study, to investigate autogenous shrinkage behavior of 120MPa UHSC at early ages, free and restrained shrinkage tests are performed for various strength levels(50MPa, 80MPa, 120MPa). For 120MPa, the effect of fly ash on autogenous shrinkage was also investigated. In order to assess the potential for early-age cracking in concrete and a mixtures susceptibility to shrinkage cracking, restrained ring test was carried out. Test results show that autogenous shrinkage of UHSC was much higher than that of HSC, VHSC and fly ash delayed cracking age in UHSC by decreasing autogenous shrinkage.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.27 no.A
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• pp.103-110
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• 2007

Concrete is a material that will crack during its service life by its very nature. For bridge decks this is especially significant as these cracks allow accelerated ingress of chlorides and the subsequent corrosion of the reinforcing steel and deck deterioration. Very-early strength latex-modified concrete (below ; VES-LMC) was developed in order to realize early-opening-to-traffic bridge deck concrete. Although there has been little research to document the degree of cracking in VES-LMC overlay, there has been a general perception among highway agencies that overlay cracking of VES-LMC, particularly early-age cracking, is a one of problems which should be solved. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cause of map, transverse and longitudinal cracking in VES-LMC and to provide a control methods for minimizing the occurrence of cracks. The proposed prevention against map and transverse cracking was verified by field applications. VES cement was modified, the unit cement contents was reduced into $360kg/m^3$ from $390kg/m^3$, the maximum size of coarse aggregate was increase into 19mm from 13mm, wire mesh and steel fibers were incorporated in concrete mixture.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.215-227
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• 2017

A finite element model (FEM) for predicting early-age behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge deck slabs with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is presented. In this model, the shrinkage profile of concrete accounted for the effect of surrounding conditions including air flow. The results of the model were verified against the experimental test results, published by the authors. The model was verified for cracking pattern, crack width and spacing, and reinforcement strains in the vicinity of the crack using different types and ratios of longitudinal reinforcement. The FEM was able to predict the experimental results within 6 to 10% error. The verified model was utilized to conduct a parametric study investigating the effect of four key parameters including reinforcement spacing, concrete cover, FRP bar type, and concrete compressive strength on the behavior of FRP-RC bridge deck slabs subjected to restrained shrinkage at early-age. It is concluded that a reinforcement ratio of 0.45% carbon FRP (CFRP) can control the early-age crack width and reinforcement strain in CFRP-RC members subjected to restrained shrinkage. Also, the results indicate that changing the bond-slippage characteristics (sand-coated and ribbed bars) or concrete cover had an insignificant effect on the early-age crack behavior of FRP-RC bridge deck slabs subjected to shrinkage. However, reducing bar spacing and concrete strength resulted in a decrease in crack width and reinforcement strain.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1040-1046
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• 2010

The main disadvantage of rapid setting concrete is the occurrence of cracking because of fast hydration reaction due to high thermal expansion and shrinkage. However, if the fly ash is used in concrete, it is possible to prevent cracking since the hydration heat can be decreased. Although Very-Early Strength-Latex Modified Concrete(VES-LMC) is an excellent material, occurrence of cracking has been reported because of high hydration heat. In the present study, new method which can apply the fly ash to the VES-LMC was developed. Research for the new method to improve the safety for the cracking was conducted. Safety was confirmed by reducing the shrinkage and hydration heat in the condition of overcoming the low early-age strength. Detailed conclusions are follows. Early-age compressive strength was decreased a little with increase of UFFA content. However, 28-d compressive strength was statistically insignificant regardless of UFFA contents. If the UFFA is replaced 15% to 20% of unit cement weight in concrete, maximum shrinkage can be reduced up to 43% to 47%. Usage of UFFA in VES-LMC guarantees the safety for cracking since it is very effective to control of early-age shrinkage.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.18 no.2E
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• pp.73-77
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• 2006

This paper shows a study of the efficiency of expansive additive and shrinkage reducing admixture in controlling restrained shrinkage cracking of high performance concrete at early age. Free autogenous shrinkage test of $100{\times}100{\times}400mm$ concrete specimens and simulated completely-restrained test with VRTM(variable restraint testing machine) were performed. Creep and autogenous shrinkage of high-performance concrete with and without expansive additive and shrinkage reducing admixture were investigated by experiments that provided data on free autogenous shrinkage and restrained shrinkage. The results showed that the addition of expansive additive and shrinkage reducing admixture effectively reduced autogenous shrinkage and tensile stress in the restrained conditions. Also, it was found that the shrinkage stress was relaxed by 90% in high-performance concrete with and without expansive additive and shrinkage reducing admixtures at early age.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.747-756
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• 2020

High-strength concrete (HSC) generally is made with high amount of cement which may release large amount of hydration heat at early age. The hydration heat will increase the internal temperature of slab and may cause potential cracking. In this study, slab specimens with a dimension of 600 × 600 × 100 mm were cast with concrete incorporating silica fume for test. The thermistors were embedded in the slabs therein to investigate the interior temperature development. The test variables include water-to-binder ratio (0.25, 0.35, 0.40), the cement replacement ratio of silica fume (RSF; 5 %, 10 %, 15 %) and fly ash (RFA; 10 %, 20 %, 30 %). Test results show that reducing the W/B ratio of HSC will enhance the temperature of first heat peak by hydration. The increase of W/B decrease the appearance time of second heat peak, but increase the corresponding maximum temperature. Increase the RSF or decrease the RFA may decrease the appearance time of second heat peak and increase the maximum central temperature of slab. HSC slab with the range of W/B ratio of 0.25 to 0.40 may occur cracking within 4 hours after casting. Reducing W/B may lead to intensive cracking damage, such as more crack number, and larger crack width and length.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2003

Cracks in reinforced concrete structures reduce overall durability by allowing the penetration of water and aggressive agents, thereby accelerating the deterioration of the reinforcing steel. Highway pavement and bridge decks are especially susceptible to this type of deterioration since these structures exhibit high rates of shrinkage and are frequently exposed to aggressive environmental conditions. The objectives of this investigation included the development of experimental procedures for assessing shrinkage cracking potential of recycled aggregate concrete, the evaluation of mix composition on shrinkage cracking potential, and the development of theoretical models to simulate early-age cracking behavior. Specifically, the influences of shrinkage-reducing admixture(SRA) and recycled aggregate concrete were investigated. The shrinkage-reducing admixture substantially reduces free shrinkage and restrains shrinkage cracking while providing similar mechanical properties. A fracture mechanics modeling approach was developed to predict the behavior of a variety of restrained concrete specimens. This modeling approach was used to successfully explain experimental results from a variety of mixture compositions. The model was used to demonstrate the influence of material and structural properties on the potential for cracking.