Numerical modeling of alkali-activated slag concrete beams subjected to restrained shrinkage

Drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) is higher than that of ordinary portland cement concrete (OPCC). AASC, however, has lower elastic modulus, higher creep, and higher tensile strength than OPCC, and the combined effects of these can reduce the cracking tendency. This paper describes the development of a numerical modeling of the behavior of restrained beams as a method toward understanding the relative contributions of parameters towards the risk of cracking. A stress-based model was developed, with a numerical solution obtained using a step-by-step method with small time increments. The numerical model results are compared with experimental results obtained from restrained beams. Reasonable estimation of time to cracking was achieved with the numerical model. The cracking tendency of different concrete types was ranked.