Shrinkage and Creep Strain

v a r e p s i l o n_{s h} t e x t (d r y in g) q q u a d v a r e p s i l o n_{cr} = n u_{cr} v a r e p s i l o n_{e l} = n u_{cr} s i g ma / E

Drying shrinkage is a time-dependent contraction from moisture loss (no stress required). Creep is additional strain under sustained stress; ν_cr is the creep coefficient (ε_cr / ε_elastic). Both increase deflections of concrete members and prestress loss. Higher w/c, smaller members, and dry curing worsen shrinkage.

$ε_{s h}$: Shrinkage strain
$ε_{cr}$: Creep strain
$ν_{cr}$: Creep coefficient

Step-by-step solved example

Elastic ε = 3.0×10⁻⁴ under sustained σ. ν_cr = 2.0. Creep strain and total time-dependent + elastic?

A concrete member shortening in time — shrinkage and creep strains along L.

1. Creep
ε_cr = 2.0×3.0×10⁻⁴ = 6.0×10⁻⁴.
2. Sum
ε_el + ε_cr = 9.0×10⁻⁴ (plus shrinkage separately).

Answer: ε_cr = 6.0×10⁻⁴; elastic+creep = 9.0×10⁻⁴

10 practice questions

0/10 correct

1.Shrinkage can occur

2.Creep requires

3.ν_cr is

4.Prestressed concrete loses prestress partly because of

5.A very dry environment tends to

6.Massive members shrink

7.Creep deflection of a beam is often estimated by

8.Steam curing / SCMs can

9.Autogenous shrinkage is associated with

10.Creep coefficient ν_cr is dimensionless because it is