Basic creep of hardened cement paste - A re-examination of the role of water

A re-examination of the role which water plays in the creep process of hard ened cement paste (hcp) was made using a differential thermogravimetric tec hnique. Prior to creep experiments in a controlled humidity chamber, very t hin specimens of cement paste (<1 mm) were subjected to various drying regi mes including exchange of water with organic solvents for 48 h followed by a gentle drying procedure. Cement paste specimens with or without evaporabl e water will exhibit significant creep suggesting a mechanism involving mic rosliding between C-S-H sheets. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All. rights reserved.