Title: When You Want Concrete without Cracks, Joints, Curling, and Reinforcing Bars

Author(s): D. Flax

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 268

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 45-54

Keywords: crack; curl; fiber; floor; joint; shrinkage-compensating; Type K.

DOI: 10.14359/51663707

Date: 3/1/2010

Abstract:
The common problems associated with concrete include drying shrinkage, cracking and curling. This paper will discuss how two time proven technologies, namely, Type K shrinkage-compensating concrete and synthetic fibers, have been combined to eliminate, or at the very least minimize, these problems. In the absence of drying shrinkage, concrete does not develop drying shrinkage cracks, control joints become unnecessary, curling is almost non-existent, spalling at joints is minimized since the only joints required are the construction joints, and required ongoing maintenance of the slab is minimal since there are so few joints. The Type K shrinkage-compensating concrete addresses the problem of concrete shrinkage and the synthetic fibers restrain the expansion of the Type K shrinkage-compensating concrete. Temperature steel for crack control can be eliminated and both the initial costs and the life-cycle costs are normally lowered. The combination of Type K shrinkage-compensating concrete and synthetic fibers has created a new future for concrete.