12/4/2017 https://www.ppc.co.

za/resources-tools/concrete/how-tos/cracking-of-concrete-in-the-plastic-state/

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Cracking of Concrete in the Plastic State

Introduction Cement >>

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12/4/2017 https://www.ppc.co.za/resources-tools/concrete/how-tos/cracking-of-concrete-in-the-plastic-state/
 Mortar & Plaster >>
 
Floor Screeds >>
Two common types of concrete cracking are plastic shrinkage cracking and plastic settlement cracking.  Bricks >>
 Concrete >>
Both types of cracking are related to bleeding of the plastic concrete, but in different ways. This tip covers the causes
of plastic settlement cracking, prevention of cracking and remedial measures.  

PPC Builder's App >>

Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Concrete, or more correctly cement-water paste, shrinks as it

dries out. This is because the very ne pores present in the
paste contract as water is lost from the paste and expand again
if water is regained at a later stage.

If shrinkage occurs while the concrete is still workable and

plastic it is called plastic shrinkage. This type of shrinkage is
usually restrained by reinforcement, formwork and internal
friction, and concrete cracking results. The typical crack pattern
is one of random, non-continuous cracks, often parallel to each
other. Cracks usually form within an hour of nishing the
surface of the concrete.

This type of concrete cracking is often associated with concrete

slabs, but it can occur on strip footings and any other concrete
Typical plastic shrinkage cracking on a suspended where the top surface is exposed to rapid drying conditions.
slab

Causes of Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs on concrete surfaces exposed to high surface temperatures, strong wind or low
humidity. Any environmental factor which increases the rate of evaporation of bleed water from the surface of the
concrete increases the probability of concrete cracking. In essence, cracking is likely if the evaporation rate exceeds
the bleeding rate.

Concrete mix design also in uences the probability of cracking. Mixes designed to be cohesive with low bleeding
capacity are particularly prone to cracking if the environmental conditions are conducive. For example, cracking of
pump mixes is particularly prevalent in the Western Cape in summer, as is cracking of some mixes containing very
nely ground cements or extenders. Retardation of set, from whatever cause, also increases the probability of
concrete cracking.

Preventive Measures
The following preventive measures will help to reduce the occurrence of concrete cracking:

Pouring the concrete during a cooler part of the day

Protecting the surface of the concrete from wind and sun with shade cloth and wind breaks
Liberally applying a good quality curing compound
immediately after the surface is nished
Protecting the surface with damp sand, hessian or plastic sheet immediately after the surface is
nished
Using fog sprays to keep the surface of the concrete damp
Delaying the nishing of the surface in order to close up any cracks that may have occurred

Remedial Measures
Generally speaking, this type of cracking is not serious from a structural point of view but the durability of the
concrete can be affected if the cracks penetrate through the slab and the steel is exposed, in a potentially corrosive
environment.

Remedial measures for repairing cracked concrete are normally restricted to lling the cracks with ‘cementitious’
slurry or, in some cases, with a low viscosity epoxy resin.

Plastic Settlement Cracking

After concrete has been compacted, but before it sets, the

solid phase of the mix tends to settle and displace water
upwards. This is known as bleeding. The amount of bleeding
is a function of the cohesiveness or “stickiness” of the mix.
The use of single sized sands, such as dune sands, can cause
severe bleeding. The results of severe bleeding include bleed

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channels in the paste, voids under reinforcement and coarse
aggregate particles, sand streaking of off-shutter surfaces and
plastic settlement cracking.

Settlement cracks occur when the settlement of the concrete

is restrained, either by the formwork, the reinforcement or,
sometimes, void formers. The picture below is typical of
plastic settlement cracking in a column where the settlement
had been restrained by the stirrups.

When the cracks are caused by restraint by reinforcement, the

crack pattern invariably follows the underlying steel and the
cracks extend to the steel. In addition the concrete settles
away from the steel which impairs bond. This is obviously
undesirable, especially in severe environmental exposure
conditions.

Preventive Measures
Preventive measures include redesigning the concrete mix to increase cohesion and the use of re-vibration of the
concrete.

Cohesion can be increased by blending in ner sand, or sand containing more nes, or by using an air-entraining
agent, or by using a nely divided extender.

Alternatively it is often possible to re-vibrate the concrete before it sets in order to close up any cracks.

Remedial Measures
In cases where potential loss of durability is important, remedial measures consist of injecting cracks with low
viscosity epoxy resins.

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