2.2 Plastic Shrinkage Cracks
2.2.1 Mechanisms
Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs due to loss of water by evaporation from the exposed concrete surfaces to the surrounding environment during the plastic state of the concrete if the exposed concrete surfaces are not cured or protected from being dried out after placing.
-The causes and mechanisms of the plastic shrinkage are somehow similar to those of the drying shrinkage except that drying shrinkage means the shrinkage that happen in the hardened state of concrete (drying shrinkage is possible to happen in the early age state too).
-Plastic shrinkage becomes more serious in hotter weather, less humid air and stronger wind.
-Cracks due to plastic shrinkage are usually formed in the location of cement paste (not through the aggregate). The pattern of cracks is frequently in parallel direction to each other. Cracks length is usually about 0.1 to 1.0 meter and depth of the cracks is about 25 to 50 millimeter.
2.2.2 Possible Location of Plastic Shrinkage Cracks
Locations where plastic shrinkage is frequently found are the surfaces exposed to dry air such as top surface of road pavements and top surfaces of floor slabs or footings, etc.
2.2.3 Time of Occurrence of Plastic Shrinkage Cracks
Time of first occurrence usually is in between a few ten minutes after finish placing the concrete before the concrete achieves its final set. Concrete with bleeding will not have plastic shrinkage cracking unless the bleeding water on the concrete surface has been totally evaporated.
2.2.4 Recommended Prevention Methods
1) Prevent the evaporation of water from the exposed concrete surfaces by curing, covering with plastic sheets or wet gunny bags right after the placing of concrete is finished.
2) Mix proportion of concrete should not be designed to have excessive paste content or water content.
3) Concrete with a little bleeding may be beneficial to prevent plastic shrinkage cracking. However, too much bleeding must be avoided since bleeding is considered a type of segregation which will lead to non-uniformity of the concrete. Too much bleeding may also result in excessive settlement and then settlement cracks. Therefore, if the evaporation prevention can be practiced, the mixture of concrete with bleeding should be avoided.
4) If the plastic shrinkage cracks are observed before the concrete achieves its final set, refinishing of the concrete surface can be done to get rid of the cracks before the concrete becomes hardened.