Measures to Mitigate Cracks in Reinforced Concrete

Structures
•Planning the layout of restraining members

•Structural separation

•Closure strips, joints, and favorable pouring sequences

•Released connections; Wall/ slab release, slab-column release, wall joints,

•Addition improved layout of mild reinforcement

•Addition or improved layout of tendons

Planning the Layout of Restraining Members

Selecting good position for columns and walls during building architectural
planning is the substantially effective technique of restraint-cracks prevention.
Equal number of walls with the same length, could be placed to decrease
tendency of crack development by permitting the slab to move freely in the
direction of planned point of zero movement, such arrangements can be seen in
Figure-1.

Fig.1: Favorable Arrangement of Restraining Cracks

However, if the walls and layouts are arranged in such a way that prevents the free movement
of walls, then it would make situations which cause to initiate cracks as shown in Figure-2

Fig.2: Unfavorable Arrangement of Restraining Walls

Structural Separation to Mitigate Cracks in Reinforced
Concrete Structures
Slabs with irregular geometry in are especially susceptible to cracking. An
example of such slab is provided in Figure-3. The figure shows a structural
separation between larger post-tensioned rectangular slab and smaller square
slab. The width of structural separation usually ranges from 13 to 26 mm.

function of the latter is for limited time which might be two or three months, whereas the
former, which its function is to make rooms for temperature produced movements, should work
and continue its function for the entire life span of the structure.

Fig.3: Separation between Large and Small Slabs that Create

Irregularities

Closure Strips, Joints and Favorable Pouring Sequences

A closure strip is a temporary space between two regions of a slab which are constructed and
post tensioned differently. These two-separated post tensioned slab parts are permitted to
experience shortening independent to each other.
The width of the closure strips as shown in Figure-4 is based on the distance needed to install
stressing jack between two slabs, and is commonly between 76- 91 cm.

The space between two regions of the slab is filled and consolidated with non-shrink concrete,
commonly after a period of one to two months. The time required to keep the closure strip open
is dictated by the extent of shortening deemed needed before the two slabs are jointed together.
The continuity between the two slab portions is provided by reinforcement that extended on
each concrete slab side into the closure strips.

The amount of steel reinforcement embedded in the closure strip is computed based on the
bending moment and shear forces at the position of the closure strip; when the whole slab is
considered in continuum.

It is recommended that, stressing ends of tendons, which are stopped in the closure strip, must
be cut, sealed, and grouted and this is applied for corrosion protection purposes. Based on
experience, closure concrete is poured after calculating shortening on each side of the closure
strip which is around 6.35 mm.

Fig.4: Closure Strip Width Between Two Regions of a Slab

Construction joints as illustrated in Figure-5 are introduced in the slab between two concrete
placements and their positions are specified in advance.

The construction joints provide separation for short time between two regions of the slab for
crack control purposes in addition to divide large size slabs into smaller ones to manage
construction easily.
Fig.5: Construction Joint; (A) Without Stressing, (B) With Intermediate Stressing

The construction joints provided in Figure-5 is different from cold joints because not only does
the position of construction joint is specified by designer but also it is employed to control
cracks.

However, cold joints are formed when concrete batch is finished and time interval of three to
seven days usually occurs between first and second concrete placement. Intermediate stressing
is used for long tendons where large stress loss occurs.

Based on performance experience of post tensioned slabs, numbers of guidelines for

introducing closure strips are provided. For example, closure strips or structural separation are
not required if slab length is smaller than 76 m and supporting wall is located favorably.

One centrally positioned closure strip is provided when slab length is greater than 76 m and
less than 114 m, and for slab length larger than 114 m it is recommended to provide structural
separation.

Released Connections: Wall/ Slab Release, Slab-Column

Release, Wall Joints
Released joints are detailed and constructed to allow restricted movement of the slab relative to
its support. When structural separation, favorable layout of supporting structural members,
construction separation and closure strips are not applied adequately then using released
connections are substantially influential for tackling cracks.
It can be classified into three types namely:

•Wall / slab release,

•Slab-column release, and

•Wall joints:

Wall / Slab Release

There are various types of this joint which are shown in and slippage material is applied in all
kind to ease slips. Joint releases with ties are most efficient type but its utilization is limited
because walls are commonly required to transfer shears force and gravity loads at wall-slab
interface.

Figure-6 shows various types of wall-slab release for exterior walls and terminating slabs,
nonetheless all types can be used for intermediate slabs and interior walls with some
modifications.

Fig.6: Wall-Slab Release Types

Slab-Column Release
It is possible to design columns to resist lateral forces conducive to lateral displacement
between their ends with no distress indications or might be released to make rooms for relative
displacements at slab-column joint. Figure-7 illustrates hinged construction at base ends of
column and detailing of the joints.

WALL JOINTS
These are vertical joints between adjacent walls by which displacements of slabs and beams
supported by the wall are accommodated.

They are considerably influential in mitigating cracks in beams, slabs, and supported walls as
well. Figure-8 illustrates plan of rectangular slab supported by interior columns and perimeter
walls.
Fig.8: Wall Joints; (A) Plan Showing All Joints and Closure Strips, (B) Plan Showing
Arrangements of Different Wall-Slab Joints

Addition or Improved Layout of Mild Reinforcement

Despite all crack mitigation measures provided in the above sections, it is required to install
extra mild reinforcement at potential distress positions to tackle crack developments.

For example, at slab and its supporting walls in which proper release joints to mitigate cracks
cannot be provided because of shear transfer requirements which are specified in the design, as
shown in Figure-9.

Fig.9: Crack Mitigating Reinforcement next to Shear Walls; (A) Interior Shear
Wall. (B) Exterior Shear Wall
It is demonstrated that, placing reinforcement as shown in Figure 10 in slabs parallel to shear
walls over distance of nearly 3m vertical to the wall is substantially effective.

The reinforcement ratio is 0.0015 multiply by slab cross sectional area over one third of the
transverse span. The spacing between bars is 1.5 times the thickness and installed alternately at
the top and bottom.
Fig.10: Reinforcements at the Corner of the Slab