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Reducing Concrete Drying Shrinkage Using Superabsorbent Cellulose Fiber

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Proceedings of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering Annual Conference 2021 (CSCE 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 248))

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Abstract

The presence of shrinkage cracks in concrete is one of the major issues affecting concrete durability. Loss of moisture, changes in temperature, and hydration process are few reasons that cause shrinkage cracks in concrete. Among all types of shrinkage, drying shrinkage contributes a major portion of shrinkage strain in conventional concrete. Various parameters that affect the drying shrinkage of concrete are the element thickness, porosity, paste volume, fineness of the binder, water-cement ratio, fiber content, temperature, and relative humidity. The objective of this study is to develop a pulp fiber-based concrete mix that is capable of reducing concrete drying shrinkage. This study aims at developing a concrete mix that is acceptable for both its fresh and hardened properties with low drying shrinkage and cracking. To achieve this objective, Superabsorbent Cellulose Fibers (SCF) derived from water-insoluble, lignin-free Softwood Kraft Pulp fibers is used in concrete mix as a percentage of the total weight of water and cement content. Concrete mix design is performed for a target compressive strength of 35 MPa for exposure class C-1. Mix proportions are systematically designed to capture all the variables that affect the fresh and hardened concrete properties. The microstructure of hardened SCF concrete is studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. Test results for both fresh and hardened concretes are analyzed prudently to define the optimum SCF content. It is expected that the outcome of this study will aid in reducing the drying shrinkage in concrete.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada

    A. L. Hassan & A. H. M. M. Billah

Authors
  1. A. L. Hassan
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  2. A. H. M. M. Billah
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. H. M. M. Billah .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 200 UNIVERSITY AVE W, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Scott Walbridge

  2. Environmental Engineering, Building, Concordia University, Civil, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Mazdak Nik-Bakht

  3. University of Regina, REGINA, SK, Canada

    Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng

  4. Matrix Solutions Calgary, CALGARY, AB, Canada

    Manas Shome

  5. OKANAGAN CAMPUS, University of British Columbia, KELOWNA, BC, Canada

    M. Shahria Alam

  6. THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, ONTARIO, ON, Canada

    Ashraf el Damatty

  7. OKANAGAN CAMPUS, University of British Columbia, KELOWNA, BC, Canada

    Gordon Lovegrove

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© 2023 Canadian Society for Civil Engineering

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Hassan, A.L., Billah, A.H.M.M. (2023). Reducing Concrete Drying Shrinkage Using Superabsorbent Cellulose Fiber. In: Walbridge, S., et al. Proceedings of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering Annual Conference 2021 . CSCE 2021. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 248. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1004-3_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1004-3_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-1003-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-1004-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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