Effect of transient drying on mechanical properties of concrete specimens

Initially saturated, cementitious materials are subject to water movements that responsible for multiple phenomena. Among them, there drying shrinkage, creep, fluid transport, swelling reactions and cracking-induced changes in mechanical properties. The main objective of this study is therefore investigate the impact on behaviour materials. For we carried out two 70-day studies material EDF’s VeRCoRs project. consist storing (after almost complete hydration) a batch specimen under saturated conditions while second stored controlled environments 30% 45% hr, respectively. After phase, specimens tested by mean standard tests. conclusions heterogeneous. instance, different not balance, compressive strength increased maximum 12% tensile determined bending more dependent type elastic modulus decreases with desaturation. Finally, energy dissipated cracking increases sharply drying. These results show hygro-mechanical complex, depending ambient its duration, geometry Thus, take into account hydric effects behaviour, it necessary have numerical modelling approach mechanisms involved. In perspective, work provides significant database offers opportunity test models. A step order model structures.