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5 Methods To Avoid Concrete Cracking

By Noel Mades Posted on February 12, 2017 In Concrete, QA/QC Engineer Guide, Quality Control Tools
19 Comments

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Concrete is hard and stiff material which may crack due to several reasons. Cracking concrete might
result into a huge issue on site. So in every step of the way from batching to final casting on site or
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even the preparation of the area where the concrete to be poured must be thoroughly inspected.

Cracking in concrete is unavoidable, but there is certain limits define by codes for the crack width. In
order to take any preventive measure, first, it is necessary to understand the reasons of crack
development.

1. Prevent Permeability of Water in Concrete

Concrete is a porous material. Water can be entrained through capillary action into the tiny pores. In
cold region, this entrained water freeze inside the concrete and on freezing its volume increase. This
may cause cracking in concrete. For underground and water retaining structures, the pores, water will
seep and lead to corrosion of steel reinforcement and thus more cracks with develop.
In order to prevent this problem, impermeable layer on the surface can be provided. Surface Finishing,
Paints and Water Proofing agents can help resisting permeability. Coating the bars of water retaining
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structure avoid corrosion. Air Entrain and Sulphate Resisting Cement can also help to prevent
cracking. 100 Bestselling Courses-Project
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2. Adequate Reinforcement Detailing

Concrete itself is a brittle material. Addition of reinforcement makes it capable of resisting tensile
stresses. A properly detailed member prevents brittle failure even in the case of crack in the concrete.
Codes specify the criteria for maximum spacing of bars at different locations. Lesser spacing is
provided at joints and end of the span to avoid shear cracking.

Read also: The Duties and Responsibilities of a QA/QC Engineer

3.Proper Compaction
Here compaction is in two ways: ADVERTISEMENT
Compaction of concrete
Compaction of the surface.

A properly compacted concrete mix has lesser pores and ultimately more strength. Reinforcement
spacing should be provided in a way that concrete can reach all the corners. The concrete cover
should also be adequate. Compaction of concrete can be done either manually or using vibrators.
Choice of vibrator depends on the type of construction.
Compaction of the ground surface is necessary to avoid settlement. Removal of vegetation from site
and properly compacted backfill can avoid uneven foundation settlement which may ultimately lead to
cracking throughout the structure. Roller drum can be used to compact the soil surface.

4. Proper Curing
Curing significantly helps to prevent cracks. During hydration process, water in concrete evaporates
so quickly leaving pores on the surface. To avoid this situation, the concrete surface should be kept
moist. Wet bags should be wrapped around vertical concrete surfaces and water pond on horizontal POPULAR RECENT COMMENTS
smooth areas, so that crack will not form on concrete. Curing is critical in hot and dry weather when
the rate of evaporation is very high.
The Duties and Responsibilities of
a QA/QC Engineer
Read also: The 7 Roles and Responsibilities of a QAQC Engineer January 15, 2014

The QC Inspector Duties and

5. Proper Design Mix Responsibilities
The strength of concrete depends on proper design mix. Different design mix ratios are used for January 26, 2014
different items of construction. Such as we need more strength for columns and shear walls as
compare to beams, slabs, and foundation. Selection of concrete strength also depends on loading and
Understanding About Inspection
stresses applied to it. and Test Plan (ITP)

A proper design mix contains accurate water quantity. This percentage of water in mix decreases with January 21, 2014

the increase of strength requirement. The excess amount of water in the mix will not give correct
strength required. Top 6 Important Quality Tests Of
Concrete
Also, the excess water in concrete evaporates at a high rate, cause shrinkage in concrete. This
August 5, 2015
shrinkage may cause the development of crack. If the span of concrete surface is large enough, this
shrinkage force may break it to pieces. In order to avoid cracks due to shrinkage, span should be
provided as per code specification. Intended Control joints at regular spacing also help the Method Statement for Excavation
development of crack on the preferred location. This intended cracks can be made using grooving and Back filling Works
tools with specific thickness and depth. January 22, 2014

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About the Author

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 NOEL My Other Posts ∠
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Hi! Welcome to my blog. My name is Noel Mades and I’m the author of
qualityengineersguide.com. I am a Civil Engineer by profession but I’ve

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as a Quality Engineer in the well-known companies in the United Arab Emirates
for almost seven years.

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19 Comments
Mohamed Abdul Kadher July 3, 2017

Thanks for your sharing

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REPLY

ophiuchus1981 May 20, 2017

Ambient temperature, wind speed and relative humidity

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Arora May 9, 2017

It must be helpful, thank you for your sharing

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Shridharth Suthar March 7, 2017

Thanks, a lot

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REPLY

Randolf Liked February 17, 2017

Hello sir, kindly give me more information regarding the ratio of ice and water to be added
in batching plants. For example, I want to replace the amount of water into ice due to hot
weather condition and travel distance. Is it the same batch weight or weight of water that I
will use if I’m going to use ice. Thanks.

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REPLY

Author
Noel Mades February 17, 2017

Hi, You can just replace a percent amount of water into ICE. Yes, it should
be the same weight of water. See, the purpose here is to maintain the
allowable temperature during hot weather. I can’t remember the ratio but
you can make a trial mix of 1 cubic meter or half and see what will happen
after let say the distance of 40 minutes the concrete reached the site.

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REPLY

Alex February 16, 2017

Thanks for sharing your informative articles or blog about civil construction especially in
concreting, really appreciated…May god(ALLAH) bless you all the time!

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Noel February 15, 2017

During hot weather condition also can contribute cracking of concrete because of high
temperature that’s called thermal expansion. In order to prevent that there should be
temperature control in the aggregate bin in the batching plant like shading, aggregates
should be protected from the direct sunlight. And during hot season, there should be ice to
be included in the batching of concrete so that to maintain its allowable temperature.

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Alex February 16, 2017

Thanks sir for sharing your informative articles or blog about civil construction
especially in concreting, really appreciated…May God(ALLAH) bless you all the
time!

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REPLY

Noel February 16, 2017

Welcome Alex. My pleasure to help by sharing this information to our

fellow I may say “Construction worker in general.” God (ALLAH) bless
you too and your family. Thanks again.

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Mario Oligo February 14, 2017

Excellent and very informative site, Congratulations Engr Noel Mades, we the officers and
members of PICE-Western Region KSA are very proud of your accomplishment, rest
assured that we will promote your website to our membership for additional knowledge
and information.

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REPLY

Author
Noel Mades February 14, 2017

Thank you. I will continue to provide informative articles or blogs to our

fellow engineers and nonengineers who are exercising quality system in
construction. Thank you for the well-said kind of appreciation and wisdom.
Regards to all the PICE- Western Region KSA members. Have a great day.

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Shammy Fernandes February 13, 2017

Thanks Dear Noel for the Blog…

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Author
Noel Mades February 14, 2017

Welcome

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Tariq manzoor February 13, 2017

Nice study Noel really appreciated , but dear still it requires some more points to be
incorporated as a important notes such as. rate of pouring , height of pouring, control of
fresh concrete temperature (GGBS concrete), adiabatic curing system, thermal control
system (temperature monitoring) etc…

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Author
Noel Mades February 13, 2017

There are much more to write and share. I’m gonna write that later. Really
thanks.

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Conghung February 13, 2017

Thanks for your sharing.

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Ganga prabhu February 12, 2017

After cast and once the concrete has initially set before surface finishing should apply
water by sprinkler method. It will avoid the initial shrinkage cracks on concrete.
 View Comment

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Muhammad Arfan February 12, 2017

Nice post about Concrete.

Thanks sir for sharing.

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