Effects of Anhydrite and Hydration Heat on Strength Development and Drying Shrinkage of High-Strength Concrete With Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag

Key Points

• This research aims to investigate how anhydrite and hydration heat affect the strength and drying shrinkage of high-strength concrete containing ground granulated blast-furnace slag.
• Examined various proportions of anhydrite and slag in concrete mixtures.
• Used a water-to-binder ratio of 30% and slag replacement rates of 0% and 40%.
• Conducted curing at 20°C and with simplified insulation.
• Measured compressive strength and drying shrinkage across different conditions.
• Compressive strength decreased with increased slag content, showing minor strength differences with anhydrite addition at 20°C.
• Long-term strength development during simplified insulation curing stagnated.
• Drying shrinkage at 20°C decreased with slag addition and further decreased with anhydrite.
• Drying shrinkage in simplified insulation was lower than at 20°C, showing similar levels across all cases.