Control of Early-Age Cracking in Watertight Concrete Structures

Considering the importance of leaking cracks in terms of serviceability and durability of watertight concrete structures, emphasis is placed on thermal movements and their effect on foundation slabs and walls. Both members are usually restrained to some degree externally and/or internally. The results indicate that restrained thermal stresses are the primary cause of early-age cracks in concrete members.

This paper offers a discussion of mitigation strategies to prevent the formation and propagation of early-age separating cracks. A FEM-based analysis was used to determine the development of stresses in walls on mat foundations in relation to the crack risk assessment.