Evaluation of the Techniques to Mitigate Early Shrinkage Cracking through an Image Analysis Methodology

Abstract

Nowadays, new products are introduced in concrete mixes to reduce the effects of shrinkage, which are the main reason of most of early age cracking phenomena, especially when curing is not performed in accordance to best practices. The lack of a standardized methodology to quantify concrete cracking complicates the determination of the effectiveness of different solutions and comparison between them. This research presents an evaluation through images of the suitability of fibres and shrinkage‐reducing admixtures to control early shrinkage cracking in slab‐type concrete elements. The use of this technique has permitted quantifying the typical cracking parameters objectively and analyse probabilistically the average crack width. Results show a delay and reduction of cracking after adding shrinkage‐reducing admixtures and fibres in concrete, especially 1 kg m−3 of polymeric microfibres. The incorporation of these components directly into the mix modified the behaviour of concrete, reducing shrinkage cracking from the beginning of moisture losses.

Effect of geogrid reinforcement on the flexural behaviour of concrete pavements

“…This ratio is satisfied with the field dimensions of rigid pavements listed in Austroads (2004) for a thickness of concrete pavements ranging between to mm and a side dimension between 1875 to mm. Also, the ratio is in line with conducted studies achieved by Hammons (1998) and Ruiz-Ripoll et al (2016).…”