Concrete already shows distinct time-dependent behavior under normal service conditions. In particular, the time-dependent strains can be a multiple of the elastic strain.
Therefore, this chapter deals with the time-dependent effects of creep and shrinkage.
Creep describes the time-dependent deformation of concrete under constant loading over a particular period of time. The essential influence values are similar to those of shrinkage. In addition, what is known as "creep-producing stress" exerts a significant influence on the creep deformations.
Shrinkage describes a load-independent, time-dependent change of volume. This manual will not go into details regarding shrinkage problems and their individual types (drying shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage, plastic shrinkage, and carbonation shrinkage).
The following subchapter describes in detail the determination of the creep coefficient φ (t,t0) and the shrinkage strain εc,s (t,ts) according to EN 1992-1-1, Annex B, and their consideration in the program.