Preventing Mass Concrete Cracks: Essential Tips for Construction Professionals
Mass concrete refers to large-scale concrete structures that require careful attention to heat generation and temperature control during curing due to the significant volume of material involved. Mass concrete is commonly used in infrastructure projects such as high-rise buildings, dams, bridges, and power plants. It takes advantage of its wide availability of raw materials, excellent mechanical properties, durability, low cost, and ease of construction. However, due to the large size of mass concrete elements, managing temperature-related issues becomes crucial. What Causes Concrete Cracks? Before addressing the cracking issue in mass concrete, it’s essential to understand the underlying causes and factors contributing to these cracks. Understanding heat generation and dissipation is crucial for ensuring structural integrity, as the exothermic hydration reaction of cement produces heat that can create significant temperature differentials within the structure. Key factors influencing heat generation include cement…