Strength Behaviour of a High-Performance Concrete Under Drying

Cement-based materials usually undergo drying which influences their mechanical behaviour. This study investigates the evolution of mechanical properties of a high-performance self-compacting concrete subjected to drying at an early age and after long-term maturation. Uniaxial compression and bending tests are performed at different drying times. The evolution of the mechanical properties obtained is controlled by a competitive effect between material strengthening (due to capillary depression, disjoining pressure, hygral gradients, and hydration if it still occurs) and drying-induced micro-cracking (due to material heterogeneity and differential shrinkage). The competitive effect shows a great dependence on maturation level. Such couplings have to be taken into account for a reliable durability analysis.