Plastic Shrinkage Cracking-When Moisture Evaporates From The Surface of Freshly

CRACKS IN CONCRETE
Cracks in concrete have many causes. They may affect appearance only, or they may
indicate significant structural distress or a lack of durability. Cracks may represent the
total extent of the damage, or they may point to problems of greater magnitude. Their
significance depends on the type of structure, as well as the nature of the cracking. For
example, cracks that are acceptable for buildings may not be acceptable in waterRetaining structures.
Good crack repair techniques depend on knowing the causes and selecting appropriate
repair procedures that take these causes into account; otherwise, the repair may only be
temporary. Successful long-term repair procedures must address the causes of the cracks
as well as the cracks themselves.
CAUSES AND CONTROL OF CRACKING
Cracking of plastic concrete
Plastic shrinkage crackingWhen moisture evaporates from the surface of freshly

placed concrete faster than it is replaced by bleed water, the surface concrete shrinks. Due
to the restraint provided by the concrete below the drying surface layer, tensile stresses
develop in the weak, stiffening plastic concrete. This results in shallow cracks of varying
depths that may form a random, polygonal pattern, or be essentially parallel to one
another (Fig. 1.1). These cracks may be fairly wide (as much as 1/8 in. [3 mm]) at the
surface. They range from a few inches to many feet in length, and are spaced from a few
inches (millimeters) to as much as 10 ft (3 m) apart. Plastic shrinkage cracks begin as
shallow cracks, but can become full-depth cracks later in the life of the concrete.
Fig. 1.1Typical plastic shrinkage cracking (Price 1982).

Plastic shrinkage cracking is usually associated with the rapid loss of moisture caused by
a combination of factors that include high air and concrete temperatures, low relative
humidity, and high wind velocity at the surface of the concrete. Concrete with lower
amounts of bleed water, such as those containing mineral admixtures (especially silica
fume) have a greater tendency to undergo plastic shrinkage cracking than concrete with a
greater tendency to bleed. Because plastic shrinkage cracking is due to a differential
volume change in the plastic concrete, successful control measures require a reduction in
the relative volume change between the surface and other portions of the concrete. Steps
can be taken to prevent rapid moisture loss due to hot weather and dry winds. These
measures include the use of fog nozzles to saturate the air above the surface and the use
of plastic sheeting to cover the surface between finishing operations. Windbreaks to
reduce the wind velocity and sunshades to reduce the surface temperature are also
helpful. It is good practice to schedule flatwork after the windbreaks have been erected.
During hot, windy weather with low humidity, it is sometimes advisable to reschedule the
concrete placement or to initiate concrete operations at night.
Settlement crackingConcrete has a tendency to continue to consolidate after initial
placement, vibration, and finishing. During this period, the plastic concrete may be
locally restrained by reinforcing steel, a previous concrete placement, or formwork. This
local restraint may result in voids, cracks, or both, adjacent to the restraining element
(Fig. 1.2). When associated with reinforcing steel, settlement cracking increases with
increasing bar size, increasing slump, and decreasing cover; this is shown in Fig. 1.3 for a
limited range of these variables. The degree of settlement cracking may be intensified by
insufficient vibration or by the use of leaking or highly flexible forms.
The following items will reduce settlement cracking:

Form design
Concrete vibration and revibration
Provision of a time interval between the placement of concrete in columns or deep
beams and the placement of concrete in slabs and beams;
Use of the lowest possible slump;
An increase in concrete cover; and
Addition of fibers.

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CRACKS IN CONCRETE

Plastic shrinkage crackingWhen moisture evaporates from the surface of freshly

Fig. 1.1Typical plastic shrinkage cracking (Price 1982).

The following items will reduce settlement cracking:

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