Prestress loss due to creep and shrinkage of high-strength calcium silicate element masonry with thin-layer mortar

Data on creep and shrinkage of high-strength calcium silicate element masonry with thin-layer mortar (CASIEL-TLM masonry) is not currently available in international literature. A novel application of this material in unbonded post-tensioned shear walls requires creep and shrinkage data to predict prestress loss. Therefore, creep and shrinkage were measured on 38 large-scale high-strength CASIEL-TLM specimens, including a TLM bed joint or a wall-floor connection, for a period of 300 days. Initial moisture content of the specimens and temperature and relative humidity of the environment were carefully controlled. Creep and shrinkage data were used to predict prestress loss by means of visco-elastic finite element simulations as well as a simple analytical expression. These predictions were validated by prestress loss experiments, conducted simultaneously with the creep and shrinkage experiments. Predictions for final prestress loss due to creep and shrinkage are below 16 or 24 % for CASIEL-TLM masonry with prestressing strands or prestressing bars respectively.