Why crack the concrete after pouring, and how to avoid it

Summer. On the construction site, one by one go with concrete mixers. I remember myself once poured foundations. Let's go on a business trip, all prepared under the fill arrives mixer, give, I think, the operator shall communicate "from the heart":

- Prompt, we are now concrete will take with him then something needs to be done?

- What for? Now fill it with, output level and that's all. Povibrirovat can, if there is anything.

- And what other concrete poured? Or it does nothing?

- Well, actually need to be watered. But you still did not earn.

That's usually what happens. Customers are trying to tell the builders that somewhere heard about curing. A master in order not to incur unnecessary worries, say that and so will descend.

How to

Optimal conditions for the curing of concrete: the temperature of 22 degrees and humidity 90%. In such circumstances the material gathering a week for about 60% of its grade strength.

What is going on without a care

If the temperature is below 22 degrees, the curing processes are slowed. Anything critical happens. Just slowly typed strength.

When the temperature rises, the concrete moisture evaporates quickly, which is involved in the process of hydration. As a result, it is impossible to achieve a grade strength. Often on the surface grid of small cracks appear (also called spiderweb).

Not so terrible cracks, as the fall of the strength of concrete. If it is an important structures (with the calculated mark material), for surface care is very important. In private construction, to sleep, sometimes enough to take concrete on one brand strength higher than required.

When it comes to the massive constructions and air temperature 30, mantle in shallow cracks problems do not end. Large concrete shrinkage unevenness in terms of temperature, it sudden changes and the lack of moisture can lead to large cracks disclosures.

How do we

Concrete work is not specialized for us, therefore tried podgadat so that was cloudy and even rainy weather after pouring. Then you can do not care.

When not fused with the weather and the temperature rose past 25 covered surface of the film. The first three days were watered twice a day (this period is especially important for curing). Then another week once a day. Unveiling the film liberally douse all the water, and then cover with again. I watered, of course, already a customer.

Once the weather is extremely unlucky. Poured foundation slab, and then hot sun and degrees on the thermometer creep to 35. It is clear that on the surface were all 50, maybe more. Had zamorochitsya.

Immediately after pouring the slab hid film. In the evening, back, lifted her and the entire area of ​​a layer of 10 centimeters of sand was laid. We watered it and hid again. The sand layer accumulates moisture, and yet reduces the temperature of the burning sun. So we did even our grandparents. Sheltered sand, sawdust, burlap or canvas. And our method is suitable.

Maybe now there are more advanced methods. I do not come across. If you know, write in comments. And if the article was helpful, subscribe to the channel. Best thanks to me - your Like and repost. Thank you for reading!