Estimation of drying shrinkage

Introduction

C660 - Estimation of drying shrinkage according to EN1992-1-1

This calculator estimates the drying shrinkage using the expressions and relationships given in EN1992-1-1, Section 3.1.4
The method is described in detail in Appendix A3
PAGE 2 DRYING SHRINKAGE
Concrete mix
details
Ambient
conditions

Strength class

This is selected from a drop-down menu

Cement class

Three options are available from a drop-down menu S (slow), N (normal) and R (rapid)

Relative humidity

Nominal unrestrained drying shrinkage cd,0

Section thickness
Exposed faces
Section
geometry

Notional thickness h0

The ultimate drying shrinkage achievable for the combination of concrete type and relative humidity
mm
In most cases drying will be from either one of two of the faces. These options are given

mm

Coefficient kh

Drying shrinkage at time t, cd(t)= ds(t,ts) kh cd,0

CIRIA C660

The notional thickness h0 = Ac/u where Ac is the concrete cross sectional area and u is the perimeter of that part
of the concrete that is exposed to drying. For walls or slabs the thickness h is normally small in relation to the
other dimensions and h0 approximates to h when drying is from both faces and 2h when drying is from one face
only.
kh is a function of h0 and is given in Table 3.3 of EN1992-1-1
The ultimate drying shrinkage achievable for the combination of concrete type, relative humidity and notional
section thickness

Ultimate drying shrinkage = kh cd,0

End of curing period ts

The average relative humidity over the period considered

days

It is assumed that shrinkage begins at the end of the curing period

The time function ds( t, ts) = (t - ts)/{(t - ts) + 0.04ho3}. EN1992-1-1 notes that the estimated value of drying
shrinkage has an expected coefficient of variation of 30%.

PAGE 1

Estimation of drying shrinkage

Calculator

EN1992-1-1 Estimation of drying shrinkage

Cells for input data

S h r in k a g e ( m ic r o s t r a in )

Strength class
Cement class
Average ambient relative humidity
Nominal unrestrained drying shrinkage cd,0
Section thickness
Number of exposed faces
Notional size h0
Coefficient, kh
Ultimate drying shrinkage
End of curing period
Drying shrinkage at
365
days

C40/50
R
80
334
400
1
800
0.70
234
9
66

MPa
%
microstrain
mm
mm
microstrain
days
microstrain

250

200
150
100
50

0
1.0000

CIRIA C660

10.0000

100.0000
1000.0000
Tim e (days ) - log s cale

10000.0000

100000.0000

PAGE 2

410
0.42
172.2
360
313.2

406
0.44
177
420
365.4

400 0.126984
280 0.088889
120
0.45
180
0.18

420 0.133333
273 0.086667
147
0.42
176.4
0.1764

0.306984
0.268889
0.875905

0.309733
0.263067
0.849333

275
145 0.345238