The high-performance grout mixture had identical flowability as the ordinary grout mixture.

However, the high-performance grout posted better performance in relation to settling, strength,

and bleeding. The inclusion of the shrinkage-reducing admixture to the high performance grout

mixture resulted in higher values of tensile and compressive strengths after 28 days. This also

resulted in lower maximum internal temperature due to the heat of hydration, delayed shrinkage

cracking, and lower shrinkage strain.

The restraint degree reference to uneven surface of duct as well as filling capacity of the high-

performance grout was affected insignificantly by the addition of shrinkage-reducing admixture.

The authors observed complete filling of ducts for the high-performance grout samples. Ordinary

grout mixture showed the smallest shrinkage strain and best performance in relation to shrinkage

crack resistance. Unfortunately, ordinary grout led to inadequately filled ducts, which led to

exposure of strands [ CITATION Yua17 \l 1033 ].

One of the problems that contractors face is to identify the weather conditions and to determine if

the concrete placements should proceeds. From past research, it has been shown that the three

weather conditions (air temperature, humidity and wind velocity) and the concrete temperatures

are the best indicators to determine if plastic shrinkage cracks will develop. A Nomograph was

developed and published in many 21 American Concrete Institute (ACI) committee reports as

well as by the Portland Cement Association (PCA). Unfortunately, it is difficult to get the

required information and the Nomograph is not easy to use. Plastic shrinkage cracks can be

prevented, provided the contractor properly assessed the weather and the fresh concrete

conditions. In the United States of America (USA), two values of evaporation rates are used to

provide guidance to the contractors on when plastic shrinkage cracks will form. When the
evaporation rates exceed 0.2 lb/ft2/hr (1.0 kg/m2/hr) plastic shrinkage cracks are expected.

Precautionary measures are almost manitory. Some of these are erecting a wind screen, cooling

the concrete, using a fogging system, and placing concrete at night. When the evaporation rate is

between 0.1 and 0.2 lb/ft2/hr (0.5 and 1.0 kg/m2/hr) plastic shrinkage cracking may occur. Since

evaporation rates in these ranges can occur and to avoid plastic shrinkage cracks, the above

precautionary measures are recommended. When the evaporation rates are 0.1 lb/ft2/hr (0.5

kg/m2/hr), plastic shrinkage cracks are not expected (http://keu92.org/uploads/Search

%20engineering/Shrinkage%20of%20concrete.pdf)

In the structures whose long-term behavior should be monitored and controlled, creep and

shrinkage effects have to be included precisely in the analysis and design procedures. Creep and

shrinkage, vary with the constituent and mixtures proportions, and depend on the curing

conditions and work environment as well. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) contains

combinations of various components, such as aggregate, cement, superplasticizer, water-reducing

agent and other ingredients which affect the properties of the SCC including creep and shrinkage

of the SCC. Hence, the realistic prediction creep and shrinkage strains of SCC are an important

requirement of the design process of this type of concrete structures [ CITATION Asl12 \l 1033 ]

THEORETICAL

Increase in water to binder ratio causes increase in drying shrinkage. The proper use of fly ash in SCC can

reduce drying shrinkage remarkably.

Increase in volume of coarse aggregate can reduce drying shrinkage significantly, in addition change of

sand volume ratio has little effect on the drying shrinkage of medium strength SCC.
Bibliography
( http://keu92.org/uploads/Search%20engineering/Shrinkage%20of%20concrete.pdf

Aslani, F., & Nejadi, S. (2012). Creep and Shrinkage Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC).

Yuan, T.-F., Yoo, D.-Y., & Koh, K.-T. (2017). Mitigating shrinkage cracking in posttensioning grout using
shrinkage-reducing admixture.