Abstract:The type and percentage of sand affect the gradation of coarsefine aggregate and the amount of spare mortar in concrete, which further affects the resistance of fresh concrete to initial plastic shrinkage. Taking into account the engineering characteristics of sand in the area of Chongqing, P. R. China, three fine aggregates composed of superfine, medium, mixed and manufactured sand, are used to prepare high performance concrete (HPC). The effects of these three fine aggregates on initial plastic shrinkage crack are investigated. The results show that the HPC prepared with superfine sand possesses a higher initial shrinkage value than HPC prepared with mixed or medium sand. An optimal sand percentage is necessary to reduce the initial shrinkage cracking of HPC prepared with mixed or medium sand.