1.2.2 How Cement Content Affects Shrinkage

When low slumps, created in conjunction with minimum water requirements, are used with correct placement procedures, the shrinkage of concrete will be held to a minimum. Conversely, high water content and high slumps will increase shrinkage. A study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as reported by the Portland Cement Association, indicated that for every 1% increase in mixing water, shrinkage of concrete increased by 2%. This study produced the following char, showing the correlation of water and cement content to shrinkage.