Effect of Curing Methods on Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Early-age cracking during the plastic stage is unsightly and a cause of future durability problems. This paper investigates effects various simple curing methods used in practice to enhance early-age concrete performance, including covering with sheet wet hessian fabric, surface power floating use cold water mix. The benefits offered by three standard admixtures (Safecure Super concrete, Safecure 90W-10%, superplasticizer), as well recycled tire steel fibres at 40 kg/m3, are also examined. A digital image processing (DIP) technique measure crack widths, whilst temperature measured via thermocouple. results show that all successful restraining micro shrinkage cracks, although fibre (RTSFC40) most effective eliminating cracks. All examined compared terms speed cost application, quality finish environmental credentials. study will inform best on enhancing sustainability structures, particularly for slab-on-grade applications.