Concrete is one of the most durable and long-lasting product it is installed properly and if all the ingredients mixed properly. If the contractor follows the the guidelines which are required to attaining strength it will became more durable ,strength will be high and crack resistance will be more.
WHY CONCRETE CRACKS?
The following information is useful for to understand the causes of concrete crack
1. Excess water in the mix
In the majority of residential sites the water is added more then the required but concrete does not require that much of water to attend the the maximum strength the extra water which is added in the mix reduces the strength of concrete and may cause sometime the crack in the concrete.
Shrinkage of the prime causes of cracking when the concrete gets hard and dries generally its shrinks. The reason behind that is is the excess of water evaporates in the concrete. Shrinkage is generally greater in in soupier type of concrete.
What you can do about it:
Understand the optimum amount of water which is required for the concrete mix which needs to be pulled. Or hire the contractor who have sound knowledge about the concrete mix.
2. Quick drying of the concrete
The possibility of concrete cracks will be increased if the the slab will be dried rapidly. The water is required for chemical reaction to occur for concrete to change its state from liquid or plastic to solid.
Adequate water should be poured so that chemical reaction takes place.
3. Concrete strength is improper on site
Strength of concrete can be differ as per the use. Understand the proper strength of concrete which needs to be poured at.
Conversation between ready mix supplier and contractor needs to be clear.
4. Lack of control joints:
Concrete crack can be controlled by concrete joints and control joints where were the contractor wants. Control joint is called as control joint because it can control the joints in the concrete. For control joints the depth of floor slab or should not be more than two to three times of the thickness of concrete.
Other reasons:
- Concrete should not be poured on Frozen ground.
- The concrete should be place on compacted ground
- Subgrade can also have a significant impact on strength of concrete so it needs to be prepared properly and according to the soil condition.
- Have a constant chat with the contractor about durability and strength of concrete so you will get good quality of concrete.
4 WAYS TO PREVENT CRACKED CONCRETE
For a fresh concrete cracking can be prevented by following:
- Start with a sound subgrade
- Make sure the subgrade is compacted
- Subgrade and subbase of the concrete slab is important for the the stability of the concrete.
- Modify the concrete mix
- Use a low water-to-cement ratio
- Concrete admixtures that control cracking
- Fiber reinforcement (like Re-Bind)
- Install joints
- Control placing of control joints for the concrete.
- Joints in concrete slabs needs to be used for properly curing the concrete.
- Properly curing concrete slabs used for allow time to water cure.
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