Fresh concrete may be susceptible to plastic
shrinkage cracking. Cracks that
develop at an early-age can significantly impact the
durability of concrete structures.
This study has developed a quantitative approach
to determine the efficiency of fiber reinforcement
for plastic shrinkage crack reduction.
A semi-automated image
analysis technique was used to process digital
images of surface crack widths. Statistical analysis
methods were used to determine the repeatability of
the test as a proposed standard plastic cracking
test method. Finally, the
impact of premature cracking on the corrosion of
steel reinforcement was quantitatively
assessed.
shrinkage cracking. Cracks that
develop at an early-age can significantly impact the
durability of concrete structures.
This study has developed a quantitative approach
to determine the efficiency of fiber reinforcement
for plastic shrinkage crack reduction.
A semi-automated image
analysis technique was used to process digital
images of surface crack widths. Statistical analysis
methods were used to determine the repeatability of
the test as a proposed standard plastic cracking
test method. Finally, the
impact of premature cracking on the corrosion of
steel reinforcement was quantitatively
assessed.