Assessing the shrinkage and creep of alkali-activated concrete binders

Shrinkage and creep are important long-term properties of concrete especially as a structural material. In order to be used as a structural material in applications, alkali-activated concrete should also possess good shrinkage and creep properties. An understanding of the importance of shrinkage and creep in concrete is presented first. The chapter then focuses more on those properties in alkali-activated concrete (AAC). Although the discussion concerns chiefly concrete, complete understanding is also developed based on studies of shrinkage and creep in mortars or pastes. Discussions on factors affecting shrinkage and creep are also introduced, followed by laboratory work and standard tests related to these long-term properties. An example of predicting shrinkage and creep of AAC using available prediction methods for OPC concrete is also presented.