Long-Term Experimental Campaign on RC Shrinkage Cracking: Conceptualization, Planning and Experimental Procedures

Numerical and analytical simulation of cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) structures requires laboratory testing for validation of assumptions and calibration of modelling strategies. The scale, complexity and innovation of these experiments can present a challenge, even for experienced professionals, and a significant amount of time, effort and money might be inadequately invested on unsuitable test setups, or poorly planned experimental campaigns. This paper deals with the lessons learned from a complex long-term experimental campaign on RC slabs subjected to flexural cracking and restrained shrinkage. It intends to serve as a steppingstone for future works of the same nature. The final version of the restraining device is described and decisions on tested specimens, test conditions, sensing and material characterization are explained based on the available resources. The most relevant tasks during preparation of the long-term experimental campaign are described in detail. Finally, the hard-ships and problems faced during implementation of the experimental program, and the way they were overcome, are addressed. The application of concepts in line with Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies, such as object-oriented modelling and process maps, for design of the test setup and task scheduling, was of crucial importance for the success of the experimental campaign.