Capillary shrinkage cracking and its prevention by controlled concrete curing

Authors: M. Schmidt, V. Slowik
Paper category: conference
Book title: Concrete Durability and Service Life Planning – ConcreteLife’09
Editor(s): K. Kovler
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-074-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-085-1
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2009
Pages: 23 – 30
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: The build-up of a negative pressure in the liquid phase of a drying suspension may lead to cracking. In concrete construction, this effect results in damage processes taking place already in the very early age, i.e. within the first few hours after casting when the concrete has not yet reached a significant strength. For avoiding this type of damage, a method of controlled concrete curing has been proposed. It is based on in situ capillary pressure measurement and closed-loop controlled rewetting of fresh concrete surfaces. The capillary pressure is kept below a critical value and an uncontrolled application of too much water to the concrete surface is prevented. The method has been tested under laboratory as well as under site conditions.

Online publication: 2012-05-16
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00