This paper focuses on the effect of creep on the critical compressive strain (CCS) of concrete. The strain of concrete corresponding to the peak compressive stress is crucial in the selection of the ultimate yield strength of the reinforcing bar used in reinforced concrete columns. Among the various influencing factors, such as the creep, shrinkage, loading rate and confinement, the effect of creep and shrinkage is the most significant. So far, investigations into how these factors can affect the CCS of concrete have been rare. Therefore, to investigate the effect of creep and shrinkage on CCS, an experimental (part I) and a parametric study (part II) were conducted, as presented in these papers (part I considers creep effect, part II considers effect of creep and shrinkage). In part I, experiments pertaining to the loading age, loading rate, loading duration and loading and creep levels were conducted to study the effect of these variables on the CCS of concrete. It was found that the effects of the loading rate, loading age, and level and duration on the CCS of concrete were negligible. However, it is very important to consider the effect of creep.