ABSTRACT
The evolution of residual stress which causes cracking in concrete structures is mainly determined by three material properties of concrete: self-deformation, Young’s modulus and creep, and by the degree of external or internal restraint. The self-deformation usually includes the three components: thermal deformation, autogenous and drying shrinkages. Even though the self-deformation components can be measured, it is difficult to obtain the evolutions of Young’s modulus and creep at early-age through traditional experimental methods. In fact, both the hardening process and creep mechanisms of the young concrete still can not be clearly understood, one of the main reasons may be the lack of reliable experimental data. Therefore, to accurately predict the residual stress with a clear understanding on both the elastic and plastic behaviors of the hardening concrete is a challenge problem.
