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CIP 4 - Cracking Concrete Surfaces
WHAT are Some Forms of Cracks?

Concrete, like other construction materials, contracts
and expands with changes in moisture and
temperature, and deflects depending on load and
support conditions. Cracks can occur when provisions
to accommodate these movements are not made in A B
design and construction. Some forms of common C
cracks are:
Fig. A: Plastic shrinkage cracks (CIP 5)
Fig. B: Cracks due to improper jointing (CIP 6)
Fig. C: Cracks due to continuous external restraint
Example: Cast-in-place wall restrained along
bottom edge of footing
Fig. D: Cracks due to lack of isolation joints(CIP6 )
Fig. E: D-Cracks from freezing and thawing
Fig, F: Craze Cracks (See CIP 3)
Fig. G: Settlement cracks
Most random cracks that appear at an early age,
although unsightly, rarely affect the structural D E
integrity or the service life of concrete. Two
exceptions are:
x D-cracks, which occur due to freeze-thaw
deterioration of some types of porous aggregate in
concrete. These cracks initiate at joints at the
bottom of exterior slabs and typically appear at later
ages. F G
x Cracking due to alkali aggregate reactions will lead
to long term structural damage (CIP 43). HOW to Prevent or Minimize Cracking?
WHY Do Concrete Surfaces Crack ? All concrete has a tendency to crack and it is not
possible to produce completely crack-free concrete.
The majority of concrete cracks occur due to However, cracking can be reduced and controlled if
improper design and construction practices, such as: the following basic concreting practices are
a. Omission of isolation and contraction joints and followed:
improper jointing practices. a. Subgrade and Formwork. All topsoil and soft
b. Improper subgrade preparation. spots should be removed. The soil beneath the
c. The use of high slump concrete or excessive slab should be compacted soil or granular fill,
addition of water on the job. well compacted by rolling, vibrating or tamping.
The slab, and therefore, the subgrade, should be
d. Improper finishing.
sloped for proper drainage. In winter, remove
e. Rapid loss of moisture from newly placed concrete snow and ice prior to placing concrete and do
in dry conditions not place concrete on a frozen subgrade.
f. Inadequate or no curing. Smooth, level and uniformly compacted
subgrades help prevent cracking. All formwork days. A second application of curing compound
must be constructed and braced so that it can the next day is a good quality assurance step.
withstand the pressure of the concrete without e. Joints. Anticipated volume changes due to
movement. Vapor retarders directly under a temperature and/or moisture should be
concrete slab increase bleeding and greatly accommodated by contraction joints saw cut or
increase the potential for cracking, especially tooled at the proper time with a depth of about ¼
with high-slump concrete. When it is required to to ⅓ the thickness of the slab, and with a spacing
place concrete directly on polyethylene vapor between 24 to 36 times the slab thickness. A
retarders (CIP 29) take special care to ensure maximum 15 feet spacing for contraction joints is
that finishing operations are performed after all often recommended. Panels between joints should
bleed water has dissipated from the surface. In be square and the length should not exceed about
dry conditions lightly dampen subgrade, 1.5 times the width. Isolation joints to the full
formwork and reinforcement immediately prior thickness of the slab should be provided whenever
to concrete placement. restriction to freedom of either vertical or
b. Concrete. In general, use concrete with a horizontal movement is anticipated—such as
moderate slump (not to exceed 5 inches [125 where floors meet walls, columns, or footings. See
mm]). Higher slump can be used provided the CIP 6 for information on joints.
mixture is designed to produce the required f. Reinforcement. Wire mesh and reinforcement in
strength without excessive bleeding and/or slabs cannot prevent cracking. When placed at the
segregation. This is generally accomplished by proper location, reinforcement can reduce crack
using water-reducing admixtures. Use air- width. Providing sufficient concrete cover (at least
entrained concrete for outdoor slabs exposed to 2 inches [50 mm]) to keep salt and moisture from
freezing weather (See CIP 2). Concrete mixtures contacting the steel should prevent cracks in
can be designed for reduced shrinkage to reinforced concrete caused by expansion of rust on
minimize cracking. reinforcing steel.
c. Finishing. Initial screeding must be promptly
followed by bull floating. DO NOT perform
subsequent finishing operations with water
present on the surface or before the concrete has
completed bleeding. Do not overwork or over-
finish the surface. For better traction on exterior
surfaces use a broom finish. When ambient
References
conditions are conducive to a high evaporation 1. Control of Cracking in Concrete Structures, ACI 224R,
rate, use means to avoid rapid drying and American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
associated plastic shrinkage cracking by using 2. Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction, ACI
wind breaks, fog sprays, and covering the 302.1R, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
concrete with wet burlap or polyethylene sheets 3. Concrete Slab Surface Defects: Causes, Prevention, Repair,
between finishing operations. IS177, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL.
d. Curing. Curing is an important step to ensure 4. Grant T. Halvorson, Troubleshooting Concrete Cracking
durable crack-resistant concrete. Start curing as During Construction, Concrete Construction, October 1993.
soon as possible. Spray the surface with liquid 5. Cracks in Concrete: Causes, Prevention, Repair, A collection
membrane curing compound or cover it with of articles from Concrete Construction Magazine, June 1973.
damp burlap and keep it moist for at least 3
Follow These Rules to Minimize Cracking

1. Design the members to handle all anticipated loads.
2. Provide proper contraction and isolation joints.
3. In slab on grade work, prepare a stable uniformly compacted subgrade.
4. Place and finish according to recommended and established practices.
5. Protect and cure the concrete properly.
1978,1989, 1998, 2014

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CIP 4 - Cracking Concrete Surfaces

WHAT are Some Forms of Cracks?

Follow These Rules to Minimize Cracking

1978,1989, 1998, 2014

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