Tool for controlling plastic shrinkage in concrete

Purpose and goal

The project aimed at examine conditions of developing a tool for risk prognoses of early plastic concrete cracks together with guidelines and concrete to prevent the cracking. The tool is based on evaporation rate of concrete surfaces, autogenous shrinkage and physical properties of the concrete The benefits was thus estimated as well as technical potentials and risks when developing a crack-avoiding method. Among other things a diploma work was initiated making pre-testing in laboratory with promising test results. It was concluded that the aims were fulfilled

Results and expected effects

The results show that the benefits for the industry and society are evident: reduced costs, increased functional quality, prolonged life time and a more efficient building process. Concrete surfaces where such a cracking can occur is estimated to as high as 800 000 m2 in Sweden, and every reduction of cost/m2 is important. Based on the pre-study the following impact can be extracted: - Technically it is possible to develop a tool for avoiding cracks - Economical analysis shows good prognosis of investing in a developing project and further implement a product on market. .

Approach and implementation

In the pre-study market and economic analyses were performed to study customer needs (contractor and client) and to examine investment input and profit for developer. Technical analysis were performed studying phenomenon of cracking and how this could be documented in laboratory. This consist the basis for the development of the tool Possible partners of developing the tools were contacted for a commercialisation plans.