3. Preventing cracking

3.1 Concrete composition

The influence of numerous parameters related to material composition (temperature, additions, specific surface area of cement grains, type of cement, W/C ratio) on the evolution of the various shrinkages has been highlighted in the first paragraphs, and taking these parameters into account provides an initial approach to limiting crack formation within the material.

• Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • endogenous shrinkage can be reduced by increasing the E/C ratio, but this leads to a reduction in compressive strength and has a major impact on other properties (permeability, diffusion) that are important for the durability of the material;

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