This monograph is written based on the author's research on the assessment, control, and repair of cracking of early-age concrete in the recent decade. The technique of internal curing for increasing cracking resistance of early-age concrete is further developed through experimental and theoretical research. It establishes models for predicting the internal relative humidity and autogenous shrinkage of internally cured concrete at early age; reveals the variation law and mechanism of early-age tensile creep of internally cured concrete; and explores the variation law and mechanism of early-age cracking resistance of internally cured concrete under continuous restrained condition or uniaxial restrained condition. It is designed as a reference work for professionals or practitioners and a textbook for undergraduates or postgraduates. As such, this book provides valuable knowledge, useful methods, and practical experience that can be considered in the field of concrete cracking control.

This volume gathers the latest advances, innovations and applications in the field of crack control in concrete, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the International RILEM Conference on Early-age and Long-term Cracking in RC Structures (CRC 2021), held in Paris, France on April 9, 2021. It covers early-age and long-term imposed deformations in concrete, analytical formulations for calculating crack widths in concrete, numerical simulations of early-age and long-term restrained behaviour of concrete elements, experimental investigations on cracking, on-site monitoring of imposed deformations and cracking, crack control and repair, and sustainability of design and remediation. The conference demonstrated that a comprehensive approach to this problem requires the design of robust experimental techniques, the development of multiscale models and the evaluation of code-based and other analytical approaches relevant to crack control in concrete. The contributions, which were selected through a rigorous international peer-review process, share exciting ideas that will spur novel research directions and foster new multidisciplinary collaborations.

This guide provides a method for estimating the magnitude of crack inducing strain and the risk of cracking; and where cracking will occur guidance is provided on the design of reinforcement to control crack widths.

Restraint and intrinsic stresses in concrete at early ages are vitally important for concrete structures which must remain free of water-permeable cracks, such as water-retaining structures, tunnel linings, locks and dams. The development of hydration heat, stiffness and strength, also the degree of restraint and, especially for high-strength concr

This text brings together knowledge on early-age thermal cracking, which occurs when the restrained thermal contraction strain exceeds the tensile strain capacity of the concrete. It aims to help both the designer and contractor to understand the significance of cracking, the mechanisms and factors influencing early-age thermal cracking, and its methods of control. Thermal expansion, temperature fall from a peak during hydration of the cement and restraint factors are all discussed. The book shows how early-age thermal strains can be reduced by taking appropriate measures during the design and construction of concrete elements, and develops equations for the control of crack width.