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What is D-cracking?

Q. What is D-cracking?

 

A. Deterioration due to freezing and thawing of properly proportioned, air-entrained concrete made with aggregate susceptible to freezing-and-thawing damage is often referred to as D-cracking. Many types of coarse aggregate have been identified as susceptible to D-cracking, while other sources of the same kind of rock have not been found susceptible. The pore structure of the coarse aggregate is thought to be the primary contributing factor to susceptibility to D-cracking.

The primary factor in a concrete mixture that contributes to the development of D-cracking is the susceptibility of the coarse aggregate, whereas the air-void system and the w/cm have little or no effect. Most coarse aggregates identified as susceptible to D-cracking are sedimentary rocks, although many sedimentary rocks have not been found to be susceptible to D-cracking. Igneous rocks are generally not considered to be susceptible to D-cracking unless the rocks are weathered.

 

References: ACI 201.2R-16; ACI 224.1R-07

Topics in Concrete: Aggregate; Cracking; Durability