---
title: "Define shrinkage, creep, segregation, bleeding"
subject: "Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure:shrinkage-creep-segregation-bleeding-define"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/shrinkage-creep-segregation-bleeding-define
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define shrinkage, creep, segregation, bleeding

Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure · Chapter 3: Mix design of concrete and property of green concrete

- Asked in: 2081 Baisakh, 4 marks
- Video: [What is Segregation and Bleeding of Concrete?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUkZFD6auKc) — Engineering Motive
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/shrinkage-creep-segregation-bleeding-define
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/chapter-3

## Question

What do you mean by shrinkage, creep, segregation and bleeding in concrete?

## Short answer

Shrinkage is time-dependent volume reduction without load due to moisture loss and hydration/carbonation. Creep is gradual strain increase under sustained stress beyond elastic strain, mainly from gel water seepage. Segregation is separation of fresh concrete constituents (coarse aggregate from mortar), while bleeding is the rise of mixing water to the surface as solids settle.

## Answer

#### Shrinkage
**Shrinkage** is the time-dependent reduction in volume of concrete, without any applied load, caused by loss of moisture and by chemical reaction (hydration and carbonation). Typical long-term values are 0.0003 to 0.0008 (300 to 800 microstrain).

#### Creep
**Creep** is the gradual increase in strain of concrete with time under a constant sustained stress, over and above the instantaneous elastic strain. It is caused mainly by seepage of gel water out of the C-S-H layers and by slip of gel particles. Creep continues for years, with about 50% occurring in the first 3 months and 75 to 80% in the first year.

#### Segregation
Separation of the ingredients of fresh concrete (coarse aggregate from mortar, or paste from aggregate) so that the mass is non-uniform. Causes: wet or harsh mix, poor grading, free fall over 1.5 m, over-vibration and rough handling. It produces honeycombing and weak spots.

#### Bleeding
Rise of mixing water to the surface of freshly placed concrete as solids settle. It happens with high W/C, lack of fines and coarse cement. It leaves a weak, porous layer (laitance), reduces bond with steel and aggregate, and lowers durability. Control by lowering W/C, adding fines and using air-entraining agents.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Creep is the increase in strain under
   A. constant sustained stress with time
   B. rising load
   C. no load
   D. temperature change only
   Answer: A. Beyond elastic strain, under constant stress. (Key point: Creep)

2. Shrinkage is volume reduction
   A. from load only
   B. without any applied load, from moisture loss and chemical reaction
   C. from freezing
   D. from bleeding only
   Answer: B. Typical long-term values 0.0003-0.0008. (Key point: Shrinkage)

3. How much creep occurs in the first year?
   A. 10%
   B. 100%
   C. 75-80%
   D. 25%
   Answer: C. About 50% in 3 months and 75-80% in a year. (Key point: Creep timing)

4. Bleeding leaves
   A. stronger steel bond
   B. denser top
   C. no effect
   D. weak porous laitance layer
   Answer: D. It reduces bond and durability. (Key point: Bleeding effect)

## Related in Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure

- [Shrinkage and creep of concrete](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Ashrinkage-and-creep) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 4, asked 6×
- [Segregation and bleeding; control during placing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Asegregation-bleeding-control) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 3
- [Segregation and bleeding with causes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Asegregation-bleeding-causes) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 3
- [Elastic deformation, shrinkage and creep](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Aelastic-deformation-shrinkage-creep) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 4, asked 2×
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- [Maturity; shrinkage and creep](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Amaturity-shrinkage-creep) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

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