6/1/2019 Why Concrete Cracks - The Concrete Network

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Preventing Concrete Cracks Overview

Preventing cracks home (/concrete/concrete_cracks/)

Why concrete cracks: (/concrete/concrete_cracks/preventing_concrete_cracks.htm) Top 4 reasons

Acceptable Crack Widths (/concrete/concrete_cracks/allowable_crack_widths.htm)

Start with a Sound Subgrade

Make sure the subgrade is compacted (/concrete/slabs/subgrade.htm)

Subgrades and subbases for concrete slabs: (/concrete-subgrades-subbases/) Why having good support is
critical to success

Modify the Concrete Mix

Use a low water-to-cement ratio (/concrete/slabs/ratio.htm)

Concrete admixtures that control cracking (/concrete/concrete_admixtures/special-performance.html)

Install Joints

Be active in deciding where control joints will be placed (/concrete/slabs/controljoints.htm)

Joints in concrete slabs: (/concrete-joints/) Types and where to locate

Properly Cure the Concrete

Properly curing concrete slabs: (/concrete/slabs/curing.htm) Why and how to cure

Allow time to water cure (/concrete/slabs/watercure.htm)

Related Information:

How to build high-quality slabs on grade (/concrete/slabs/)

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WHY CONCRETE CRACKS

One of the most common questions received on ConcreteNetwork.Com is about cracks that
are developing in newly poured concrete. The homeowner will question why it is cracking and
did they receive a shoddy job.

When installed properly, concrete is one of the most durable and long lasting products you can
use around your home. But it is important that concrete contractors follow well-established
guidelines with respect to concrete placement. Durable, high strength, and crack resistant
concrete does not happen by accident.

Why Concrete Cracks

Reason #1 - Excess water in the mix

Concrete does not require much water to achieve maximum strength. But a wide majority of
concrete used in residential work has too much water added to the concrete on the job site.
This water is added to make the concrete easier to install. This excess water also greatly
reduces the strength of the concrete.

Shrinkage is a main cause of cracking. As concrete hardens and dries it shrinks. This is due
to the evaporation of excess mixing water. The wetter or soupier the concrete mix, the greater
the shrinkage will be. Concrete slabs can shrink as much as 1/2 inch per 100 feet. This
shrinkage causes forces in the concrete which literally pull the slab apart. Cracks are the end
result of these forces.

The bottom line is a low water to cement ratio is the number one issue effecting concrete
quality (/concrete/slabs/ratio.htm)- and excess water reduces this ratio.

What you can do about it:

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6/1/2019 Why Concrete Cracks - The Concrete Network
Know the allowable water for the mix the contractor is pouring- or be very sure you have
chosen a reputable contractor who will make sure the proper mix is poured. It is more
expensive to do it right- it simply takes more manpower to pour stiffer mixes.

Reason #2 - Rapid Drying of the concrete

Also, rapid drying of the slab will significantly increase the possibility of cracking. The
chemical reaction, which causes concrete to go from the liquid or plastic state to a solid state,
requires water. This chemical reaction, or hydration, continues to occur for days and weeks
after you pour the concrete.

You can make sure that the necessary water is available for this reaction by adequately
curing the slab.

What you can do about it:

Read here about the methods to cure concrete and understand how your contractor will cure
the concrete. (/concrete/slabs/curing.htm)

Reason #3- Improper strength concrete poured on the job

Concrete is available in many different strengths. Verify what strength the concrete you are
pouring should be poured at.

Talk to the ready mix supplier

Consult with the Ready Mix Concrete Association in your area. (/associations.htm)

Reason #4 - Lack of control joints.

Control joints help concrete crack where you want it to. The joints should be of the depth of
the slab and no more than 2-3 times (in feet) of the thickness of the concrete (in inches). So
4"concrete should have joints 8-12' apart.

Read more about control joints here. (/concrete/slabs/controljoints.htm)

Other reasons:

Never pour concrete on frozen ground.

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6/1/2019 Why Concrete Cracks - The Concrete Network
The ground upon which the concrete will be placed must be compacted.
(/concrete/slabs/subgrade.htm)

The sub grade must be prepared according to your soil conditions. Some flatwork can be
poured right on native grade. In other areas 6"of base fill is required along with steel rebar
installed in the slab.

Understand what you contractor is doing about each of the above listed items and you will get
a good concrete job.

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