AS 3600 Shrinkage Calculator for Concrete
Use this free AS 3600 shrinkage calculator to estimate the design shrinkage strain of concrete. The calculator helps engineers, designers, researchers, and students calculate autogenous shrinkage, drying shrinkage, hypothetical thickness th, shrinkage coefficient k1, and the total design shrinkage strain according to the AS 3600 equations. It also provides the typical final design shrinkage strain after 30 years based on Table 3.1.7.2. According to the code extract, the design shrinkage strain is taken as the sum of autogenous shrinkage strain and drying shrinkage strain.
AS 3600 Shrinkage Calculator
This calculator estimates design shrinkage strain using the AS 3600 equations and also estimates the typical final design shrinkage strain after 30 years from Table 3.1.7.2.
Input Data
AS 3600 Shrinkage Calculator for Concrete is a useful engineering tool for estimating the long-term shrinkage strain of concrete based on the Australian Standard AS 3600. Concrete shrinkage is the gradual reduction in concrete volume caused mainly by moisture loss and cement hydration. Although shrinkage may look small, it can significantly affect the performance of concrete structures, especially slabs, beams, walls, columns, and prestressed concrete members. Excessive shrinkage can lead to cracking, increased deflection, restraint forces, joint movement, and long-term serviceability problems.
This calculator helps engineers, students, and designers estimate shrinkage strain by considering important parameters such as concrete strength, member size, exposed surface area, drying conditions, time, and environmental exposure. The result is usually expressed as strain or microstrain, which can then be used in further structural checks. By using an AS 3600-based shrinkage calculator, designers can better understand the expected time-dependent behaviour of concrete and make more informed decisions about reinforcement, crack control, movement joints, curing requirements, and long-term deflection. It is important to remember that the calculator provides a code-based design estimate, and actual shrinkage may vary depending on the concrete mix, curing quality, aggregate type, site conditions, and construction practice.