CIP 19 - Curling of Concrete Slabs

WHAT is Curling? Slab Surface is

Curling is the distortion of a slab into a curved shape Cooler and Drier than Base
by upward or downward bending of the edges. The
occurrence is primarily due to differences in moisture
and/or temperature between the top and bottom sur- A. Upward Curling Typical in Internal Slabs
faces of a concrete slab. The distortion can lift the
edges or the middle of the slab from the base, leaving
an unsupported portion. The slab section can crack
Slab Surface at a Higher Temperature
when loads exceeding its capacity are applied. Slab
and Moisture than Base
edges might chip off or spall due to traffic when the
slab section curls upwards at its edges. In most cases,
curling is evident at an early age. Slabs may, however,
curl over an extended period.
B. Downward Curling
WHY do Concrete Slabs Curl?
Changes in slab dimensions that lead to curling are Curling of Concrete Slabs
most often related to moisture and temperature gradi- age differences from top to bottom in these cases are
ents in the slab. When one surface of the slab changes larger than for slabs on an absorptive subgrade.
size relative to the other, the slab will warp at its edges
in the direction of relative shortening. This curling is Thin slabs and long joint spacing tend to increase curl-
most noticeable at the sides and corners. One pri- ing. For this reason, thin unbonded toppings need to
mary characteristic of concrete that affects curling is have a fairly close joint spacing.
drying shrinkage. Anything that increases drying shrink- In industrial floors, close joint spacing may be unde-
age of concrete will tend to increase curling. sirable because of the increased number of joints and
The most common occurrence of curling is when the increased joint maintenance problems. However, this
top surface of the slab dries and shrinks with respect must be balanced against the probability of interme-
to the bottom. This causes an upward curling of the diate random cracks and increased curling at the joints.
edges of a slab (Figure 1A). Curling of a slab soon The other factor that can cause curling is temperature
after placement is most likely related to poor curing differences between the top and bottom of the slab.
and rapid surface drying. In slabs, excessive bleeding The top part of the slab exposed to the sun will ex-
due to high water content in the concrete or water pand relative to the cooler bottom causing a down-
sprayed on the surface; or a lack of surface moisture ward curling of the edges (Figure 1B). Alternately,
due to poor or inadequate curing can create increased during a cold night when the top surface cools and
surface drying shrinkage relative to the bottom of the contracts relative to the bottom surface in contact with
slab. Bleeding is accentuated in slabs placed directly a warmer subgrade, the curling due to this tempera-
on a vapor retarder (polyethylene sheeting) or when ture differential will add to the upward curling caused
topping mixtures are placed on concrete slabs. Shrink- by moisture differentials.
 10.The use of properly designed and placed slab re-
HOW to Minimize Slab Curling?
inforcement may help reduce or eliminate curling.
The primary factors controlling dimensional changes Load transfer devices that minimize vertical move-
of concrete that lead to curling are drying shrinkage, ment should be used across construction joints.
construction practices, moist or wet subgrades, and
11.Certain types of breathable sealers or coatings on
day-night temperature cycles. The following practices
slabs can work to minimize moisture differentials
will help to minimize the potential for curling:
and reduce curling.
1. Use the lowest practical water content in the con-
When curling in a concrete slab application cannot be
crete.
tolerated alternate options include the use of shrink-
2. Use the largest practical maximum size aggregate age reducing admixtures, shrinkage-compensating
and/or the highest practical coarse aggregate con- concrete, post tensioned slab construction or vacuum
tent to minimize drying shrinkage. dewatering. These options should be decided before
3. Take precautions to avoid excessive bleeding. In the construction and could increase the initial cost of
dry conditions place concrete on a damp, but ab- the project.
sorptive, subgrade so that all the bleed water is Some methods of remedying slab curling include
not forced to the top of the slab. This may not be ponding the slab to reduce curl followed by sawing
appropiate for interior slabs on which a moisture additional contraction joints, grinding slab joints where
sensitive floor covering would be placed. curling has occurred to restore serviceability and in-
4. Avoid using polyethylene vapor retarders unless jecting a grout to fill voids under the slab to restore
covered with at least four inches (100 mm) of a support and prevent break-off of uplifted edges.
trimable, compactible granular fill (not sand). If a
moisture-sensitive floor covering will be placed
on interior slabs, the concrete will generally be References
1. Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction, ACI
placed directly on a vapor retarder (see CIP29) 302.1R American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills,
and other procedures may be necessary. MI www.concrete.org
5. Avoid a higher than necessary cement content. Use 2. Slabs on Grade, ACI Concrete Craftsman Series, CCS-
of pozzolan or slag is preferable to very high ce- 1 American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
3. Shrinkage and Curling of Slabs on Grade, Series in
ment content.
three parts, R. F. Ytterberg, ACI Concrete International,
6. Cure the concrete thoroughly, including joints and April, May and June 1987, American Concrete Insti-
edges. If membrane-curing compounds are used, tute.
apply at twice the recommended rate in two ap- 4. Concrete Slab Surface Defects: Causes, Prevention,
plications at right angles to each other. Repair, IS177, Portland Cement Association, Skokie,
IL, www.cement.org
7. When minimizing curling is critical, use a joint spac- 5. Pavement Design, Transportation Research Record
ing not exceeding 24 times the thickness of the 1207, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.,
slab. 1988, p. 44.
6. Controlling Curling and Cracking in Floors to Re-
8. For thin toppings, clean the base slab to ensure ceive Coverings, J. Holland and W. Walker, Concrete
bond and consider use of studs and wire around Construction, July 1998, www.worldofconcrete.com.
the edges and particularly in the slab corners. 7. Where to Place the Vapor Retarder, B. Suprenant and
9. Use a thicker slab, or increase the thickness of W. Malisch, Concrete Construction, May 1998.
the slab at edges. 8. Repairing Curled Slabs, B. Suprenant, Concrete Con-
struction, May 1999.
9. Residential Concrete, National Association of Home
Builders, Washington, DC, www.nahb.com.

1990, 2002, 2004