Evaluation of models for estimating concrete strains due to drying shrinkage

The present contribution focuses on a comparative study of shrinkage prediction models according to the European Standard Eurocode 2 (EC2), the recommendation by ACI committee 209 and fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010. The estimated ultimate drying shrinkage strains and the predicted evolution of drying shrinkage strains are compared with respective shrinkage strains measured on normal-strength concrete specimens of different sizes. For all prediction models, the estimated ultimate values are found to agree quite well with the ultimate drying shrinkage strains measured on thin concrete slices. Whereas the evolution of drying shrinkage strains measured on small concrete prisms agree quite well with the predicted values, substantial differences between code values and experimental data are encountered for larger specimen sizes.