Impact of internal water reservoirs on shrinkage of high strength concrete

High strength concrete has lower water-cement ratio compared to regular concrete, which allows higher strength of the concrete. Because of low water-cement ratio, there is a lack of water during the process of hydration.During the transport of water from the capillary pores of concrete, high forces to the structure of the hardening cement paste were created. Because of this forces, the concrete shrinks, which creates cracks and therefore reduces durability of the concrete elements.\ud In this bachelors thesis we analyzed the impacts of internal water reservoirs on high strength concrete shrinkage. Lightwight aggregate of fractions from 0 to 2 millimeters was pre-soaked and used for internal water reservoir. We used 12% of the pre-soaked lightweight aggregate in our analyzed concrete mix.\ud Shrinkage of our experimental concrete mix was then analyzed and compared to shrinkage of concrete HSC 1600 which was analyzed in Assist. Prof. Drago Saje's PhD thesis. Compressive strength of concrete was also measured in the process.\ud We found out that we can partially reduce concrete shrinkage process with the use of lightweight aggregate with fractions from 0 to 2 millimeters and also improve its compressive strength