Preventing Cracks in Concrete

Why do cracks develop in concrete?

Cracking of concrete may be due to plastic shrinkage and plastic settlement of concrete in the unhardened state. Drying shrinkage or other environmental factors can cause cracking in hardened concrete. Cracking in concrete affects:

Water tightness
Durability
Look of the finished concrete

Using the right admixtures (or a synergistic combination) to prevent or reduce the affects of cracking will extend the service life of the concrete and lead to better performance. Using the filters below you can identify a type of crack, and gain a better understanding of solutions based on crack type.

Types of cracks and their causes:

Chloride-Induced Corrosion

Occurs when chlorides penetrate concrete and corrode reinforcing steel resulting in expansive products that cause cracking, spalling, and loss of structural integrity.

D-Cracking

Occurs when water, that has been absorbed into the fine pores in some coarse aggregates, expands during the freezing process causing internal stress and cracking - usually along joints, cracks, or free edges.

Drying Shrinkage

Cracking occurs after concrete has set and subsequent moisture loss results in a reduction in volume while the concrete is restrained.

Plastic Shrinkage

Occurs when the evaporation rate of water from a plastic concrete surface exceeds the bleeding rate.

Reactive Aggregates

Occurs when some aggregates in concrete react with alkalis and water resulting in an expansive gel that causes cracking and deterioration from within the concrete.

Sulfate Attack

Occurs when water containing dissolved sulfate penetrates into the concrete, reacts, expands and causes cracking and deterioration.

Solutions for Preventing Cracks & Shrinkage in Concrete

Choose one

Air-Entraining Admixtures

Corrosion Inhibitors

Macrofibers

Monofilament Microfibers

Shrinkage & Crack Reducers

Water Reducers, High-Range

Set Time Accelerating Admixtures

MasterKure ER 50

Water reducer | Reduces permeability | Moisture and chlorides cannot penetrate as easily

MasterLife ASR 30

Proven chemistry for mitigating ASR | Ready-to-use liquid admixture | Does not require low-alkali cement | Extended service life of concrete structures

MasterLife CI 222

A passive-active corrosion-inhibiting admixture | Forms a protective layer at the steel surface | Reduces chloride ion ingress

MasterLife SF 100

A passive corrosion-inhibiting admixture | Reduces chloride ingress | Reduces concrete conductivity