Autogenous Deformation and Change of the Relative Humidity in Silica Fume-Modified Cement Paste

Even during sealed curing and at a constant temperature a hardening cement paste will deform and the relative humidity within its pores will lower. This autogenous deformation and autogenous relative humidity change may be so significant that the cement paste cracks if the deformation is restrained.

This article focuses on the influence of silica fume addition on autogenous deformation and autogenous relative humidity change. Continuous measurement of autogenous deformation and autogenous relative humidity change for more than 1 year and 1« years, respectively, was performed. The investigations show thatsilica fume addition markedly increases the autogenous shrinkage as well as the autogenous relative humidity change.