Investigation Of Early Age Cracking In High Strength Concrete

Abstract

Early-age cracking in concrete is a penetrating issue impacting the structural integrity, durability and lifespan of concrete structures. This phenomenon typically occurs within the first few hours to weeks after placement, primarily due to plastic shrinkage, thermal changes during curing, drying shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage, and settlement. Addressing early-age cracking is essential for ensuring structural durability and longevity, and requires a comprehensive understanding of concrete properties, environmental influences, and construction practices. In this paper, appraisement of early age cracking in restrained concrete with ring specimens is focused. The experimental results of the assessment of strain are used for detecting cracks and crack width analysis is presented. It is seen that no cracking is observed in the normal concrete (M20, M40), while early-age cracking is observed in the high-strength concrete (M120, M100, M80, M60), respectively. The crack width assessment at the end of assessment duration reveals that the crack width is less in M120 and more in M60. With thoroughly checking for early cracks, engineers and contractors can significantly enhance the strength, safety and appearance of concrete structures by adopting the appropriate prevention methods.