Causes of Early-Age Thermal Cracking of Concrete Foundation Slabs and their Reinforcement to Control the Cracking

Abstract

This paper focuses on the causes and consequences of early-age

Influence of the incorporation of phase change materials on temperature development in mortar at early ages: Experiments and numerical simulation

“…In concrete, the stress developed at early ages, which can lead to cracking (normally up to 7-14 days after mortar placement), is due to the restrained volume changes, originally associated with different factors [1]: (i) autogenous shrinkage which is induced by water consumption by the hydration process; (ii) drying shrinkage which is induced by evaporation of water during curing period; (iii) thermal expansion/contraction that is due to poor heat dissipation produced by the cement hydration and processes of temperature rise and cooling down of mortar. Early age cracking of mortar [2] may reduce the serviceability and durability [3].…”

Insight into Thermal Stress Distribution and Required Reinforcement Reducing Early-Age Cracking in Mass Foundation Slabs

“…[34] and CIRIA C766 [35]. 1.0 for h < 300 mm 0.75 for h > 800 mm [31] 0.65 for h > 800 mm [32] The thickness of the tensile area − 0.2 h at each surface h * The area of the area in tension (for a length of 1 m of the slab)…”

“…The available works discuss mainly early-age cracking in reinforced concrete walls on slab [27,28] or general requirements for shrinkage and temperature reinforcement in concrete structures [29,30]. Issues concerning early thermal cracks and minimum reinforcement in mass foundation slabs are outlined in [31,32], but not all aspects of the discussed complex issue are covered.…”

A Critical Review on Early-Age Cracking in Concrete

“…Temperature changes are the essential editor@iaeme.com clarification of why enormous slabs break early. This cracking is bound to spread from the focal point of the transverse segment where the temperature differs quickly [24].…”

“…Several techniques for moisture-related cracking have been established including internal healing and the use of admixtures that minimize cement or shrinkage and other thermal cracking mitigation solutions [41,42]. Temperature control has also been demonstrated to be an effective means of preventing or reducing the risk of formation of concrete crack [24].…”