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What, Why & How?
Cracking Concrete Surfaces
CONCRETE IN PRACTICE CIP 4
WHAT are Some Forms of Cracks?
Concrete, like other construction materials, contracts
and expands with changes in moisture and tempera-
ture, and deflects depending on load and support con-
ditions. Cracks can occur when provisions to accom- A B
modate these movements are not made in design and
construction. Some forms of common cracks are:
Figure A: Plastic shrinkage cracks (See CIP 5) C
Figure B: Cracks due to improper jointing (See CIP 6)
Figure C: Cracks due to continuous external restraint
(Example: Cast-in-place wall restrained
along bottom edge of footing)
Figure D: Cracks due to lack of an isolation joint (See
CIP 6)
Figure E: D-Cracks from freezing and thawing
Figure F: Craze Cracks (See CIP 3)
Figure G: Settlement cracks D E
Most random cracks that appear at an early age, al-
though unsightly, rarely affect the structural integrity
or the service life of concrete. Closely spaced pattern
cracks or D-cracks due to freezing and thawing, that
typically appear at later ages, are an exception and may
lead to ultimate deterioration.
F G
WHY Do Concrete Surfaces Crack?
The majority of concrete cracks usually occur due to HOW to Prevent or Minimize Cracking
improper design and construction practices, such as:
a. Omission of isolation and contraction joints and im- All concrete has a tendency to crack and it is not pos-
proper jointing practices. sible to produce completely crack-free concrete. How-
ever, cracking can be reduced and controlled if the fol-
b. Improper subgrade preparation.
lowing basic concreting practices are observed:
c. The use of high slump concrete or excessive addi-
a. Subgrade and Formwork. All topsoil and soft spots
tion of water on the job.
should be removed. The soil beneath the slab should
d. Improper finishing. be compacted soil or granular fill, well compacted
e. Inadequate or no curing. by rolling, vibrating or tamping. The slab, and there-
fore, the subgrade, should be sloped for proper curing compound or cover it with damp burlap and
drainage. In winter, remove snow and ice prior to keep it moist for at least 3 days. A second applica-
placing concrete and do not place concrete on a fro- tion of curing compound the next day is a good qual-
zen subgrade. Smooth, level subgrades help pre- ity assurance step.
vent cracking. All formwork must be constructed e. Joints. Anticipated volumetric changes due to tem-
and braced so that it can withstand the pressure of perature and/or moisture should be accommodated
the concrete without movement. Vapor retarders di- by the construction of contraction joints by sawing,
rectly under a concrete slab increase bleeding and forming or tooling a groove about 1/4 to 1/3 the thick-
greatly increase the potential for cracking, especially ness of the slab, with a spacing between 24 to 36
with high-slump concrete. When a vapor retarder times the thickness. Tooled and saw-cut joints should
is used, cover it with 3 to 4 inches of a compactible be run at the proper time (CIP 6). A maximum 15
granular fill, such as a crusher-run material to re- feet spacing for contraction joints is often recom-
duce bleeding. Immediately prior to concrete place- mended. Panels between joints should be square and
ment, lightly dampen the subgrade, formwork, and the length should not exceed about 1.5 times the
the reinforcement if severe drying conditions exist. width. Isolation joints should be provided whenever
b. Concrete. In general, use concrete with a moderate restriction to freedom of either vertical or horizon-
slump (not over 5 inches [125 mm]). Avoid tal movement is anticipated—such as where floors
retempering concrete to increase slump prior to meet walls, columns, or footings. These are full-
placement. Higher slump (up to 6 or 7 inches [150 depth joints and are constructed by inserting a bar-
to 175 mm]) can be used provided the mixture is rier of some type to prevent bond between the slab
designed to produce the required strength without and the other elements.
excessive bleeding and/or segregation. This is gen- f. Cover Over Reinforcement. Providing sufficient con-
erally accomplished by using water-reducing admix- crete cover (at least 2 inches [50 mm]) to keep salt
tures. Specify air-entrained concrete for outdoor and moisture from contacting the steel should pre-
slabs subjected to freezing weather. (See CIP 2) vent cracks in reinforced concrete caused by expan-
c. Finishing. Initial screeding must be promptly fol- sion of rust on reinforcing steel.
lowed by bull floating. DO NOT perform finishing
operations with water present on the surface or be-
fore the concrete has completed bleeding. Do not
References
overwork or over-finish the surface. For better trac-
1. Control of Cracking in Concrete Structures, ACI 224R, Ameri-
tion on exterior surfaces use a broom finish. When can Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
ambient conditions are conducive to a high evapo-
2. Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction, ACI 302.1R,
ration rate, use means to avoid rapid drying and
American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
associated plastic shrinkage cracking by using wind
3. Concrete Slab Surface Defects: Causes, Prevention, Repair,
breaks, fog sprays, and covering the concrete
IS177, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL.
with wet burlap or polyethylene sheets between
4. Grant T. Halvorson, Troubleshooting Concrete Cracking Dur-
finishing operations.
ing Construction, Concrete Construction, October 1993.
d. Curing. Curing is an important step to ensure du- 5. Cracks in Concrete: Causes, Prevention, Repair, A collection
rable crack-resistant concrete. Start curing as soon of articles from Concrete Construction Magazine, June 1973.
as possible. Spray the surface with liquid membrane
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 subgrade.
4. Place and finish according to recommended and established practices.
5. Protect and cure the concrete properly.
Technical information prepared by © National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
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National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
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