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 CONCRETE ADVICE No. 27

Autogenous shrinkage
John Clarke
Stuart Alexander
Licensed copy: atkins, Atkins Plc, 02/01/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Autogenous shrinkage is an important phenomenon in concrete with a water/cement ratio

less than about 0.42. In this context, cement means total cementitious material, i.e.
including any ground granulated blastfurnace slag (ggbs), fly ash or silica fume. Unless
the concrete is cured early and thoroughly with water, significant autogenous shrinkage
(sometimes called chemical shrinkage or self-desiccation) can occur during the first few
days after casting. This can lead to cracking which may negate the intended benefits of
using high performance concrete. This document discusses the phenomenon and how to
minimise the occurrence.

1 Mechanism of autogenous 2 Numerical evaluation

shrinkage
The process of water combining
chemically with cement is called
hydration. When the water/cement ratio
is less than about 0.42, all the water is
rapidly drawn into the hydration process
and demand for more water creates very
fine capillaries. The surface tension
within the capillaries causes autogenous
shrinkage.
If the surface of the concrete is kept
continuously wet, water is drawn into the
capillaries and the shrinkage does not
occur. Indeed, a small amount of
swelling has been observed in tests.
Shrinkage-reducing admixtures lessen
the surface tension thus reducing the
shrinkage, but should still be used with
thorough water curing. Another
suggestion is to use lightweight
aggregates thoroughly pre-soaked with
water; this supports the process called
‘internal curing’.
The only code of practice to mention
autogenous shrinkage is Eurocode 2, BS
(1)
EN 1992-1-1 . This includes a formula:
ε ca = 2.5 (f ck – 10) (microstrain)
where:
f ck = specified cylinder strength.
The assumption that it is directly related
to specified strength with no
consideration of mix proportions is
surprising. It is not clear whether this
prediction is for concrete which is
thoroughly water cured or for when water
curing is omitted.
The values are quite low (e.g. 55 × 10
-6
for strength class C32/40) compared to
(2)
those given by Altoubat and Lange ,
which suggests that they should be
taken even if water curing is applied. A
higher figure, perhaps double, should be
taken if only surface sealing is provided.

Note that autogenous shrinkage is

separate from and additional to
conventional drying shrinkage, which will
start when water curing ceases.
 Page 2 of 2 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 27

BS EN 1992-1-1 states that autogenous
shrinkage ‘should be considered specifically
when new concrete is cast against hardened
concrete’. This suggests another explanation, i.e.
BS EN 1992-1-1 assumes autogenous shrinkage
only matters if it is restrained, so that the figure
includes a 50% reduction for creep.
3 Curing
For all high-performance concretes, defined by a
Licensed copy: atkins, Atkins Plc, 02/01/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society
The requirements for water curing are quite
onerous. The surface of the concrete must be
prevented from drying from the moment at which
the concrete has been finished. As soon as
possible thereafter water must be applied to the
surface and this must then be kept continuously
wet for several days. Side forms of deep
members should be released so that water can
be fed to these surfaces also.
The preferred method of applying water is by mist
spray; reports mention equipment used for
bowling greens or plant nurseries. Failing this,

water/cement ratio less than about 0.42, hessian can be used but should be continuously
conventional curing by sealing the surface to watered with hoses and covered with polythene.
prevent evaporation is not enough and water
curing is essential.

References
1. BSI. BS EN 1992-1-1: 2004 +A1: 2014, Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete structures, Part 1-1, General
rules and rules for buildings, BSI, London
2. ALTOUBAT, S. A. and LANGE, D. A. Creep, shrinkage and cracking of restrained concrete at early
age, ACI Materials Journal, July–August 2001, pp. 323–331.

Further reading
TAZAWA, E. (Editor) Autogenous shrinkage of concrete, E & FN Spon, 1999, 411 pp.

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Issued Dec 2006

Reviewed Oct 2016

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