A SIMPLE TWO-STAGE MODEL FOR SIMULATING DRYING SHRINKAGE VS . MASS-LOSS EVOLUTION OF CONCRETE

This paper presents a simple model aiming at simulating the drying shrinkage vs. mass-loss evolution of a concrete sample. It is based on a two-stage drying process. In a first stage, an external layer dries, as the central part of the sample has a fixed moisture. In a second stage, the central part of the sample dries. This simple model gives a reliable description of the drying process. The numerical results are compared to experimental ones, and we show that the model is able to predict the size effect of drying for standard concrete.