Chapter 14: Dimensional stability and deformation

Being a brittle material, concrete is subject to cracking at relatively low tensile strains. Such strains can develop due to a number of different factors, all of which must be considered when designing concrete elements or structures, since cracking can significantly degrade both the mechanical behaviour and durability of concrete components. The main factors contributing to strain development in concrete include drying shrinkage, swelling, stress-induced deformation (nominal elastic and compressive creep), temperature effects and constituent material properties. Any of these factors can lead to volume change and cracking in a concrete element.