Basic creep of unsealed hardened cement paste at temperatures between 20°C and 725°C

A definition for basic creep at elevated temperatures is arrived at, based on the time at which load is applied. Experimental results are presented for the basic creep of hardened cement paste and comparisons are made with the behaviour of various concretes. The time function of basic creep is shown to follow a power law relationship, whereas the temperature function indicates that a rheological property, seated in the cement paste itself, would limit the structural usefulness of Portland cement-based concretes to below 600°C. Preheating to temperatures higher than the creep test temperature reduces the creep potential in general.