Microstudy on creep of concrete at early age under biaxial compression

An interesting phenomena of crack restoration and increasing strength of concrete under biaxial compression creep were described in this paper. A small loading apparatus was prepared and a long work distance optical microscope with variable focus was used for studying the cracks. It was found from the micrographs that these cracks diminished under biaxial compression creep. There were increases in the strength of the creep specimens under the sustained biaxial compression load compared with the free companion ones. Multiaxial compression caused by the early temperature rise inside the mass concrete may strengthen the concrete and reduce the tensile cracks during and after temperature drop.