Crack Reduction

What causes Shrinkage Cracking?

Plastic Shrinkage Cracking is the shrinkage that occurs in the surface of fresh concrete within the first few hours after it has been placed. While concrete is still plastic and before it has attained any significant strength.

All concrete undergoes volumetric changes after placement. This volume change is caused by the loss of moisture as the concrete begins to dry. Approximately 80% of all water loss will occur within the first 24 hours. As the concrete hardens, and due to restraint, it is unable to transfer the tensile stresses. When the tensile stress is greater than the tensile strength - first microscopic cracks, then large cracks will form.

Other factors that affect cracking:

• Weather conditions, such as humidity, ambient temperature and wind velocity, a 40% drop in relative humidity can increase the evaporation rate by five times.
• Concrete temperature, mix proportions and aggregate type will also have an influence on the shrinkage.

The PGI Advantage

PGI's Performance Concrete Fibers were specifically designed to extend the performance and life of concrete by helping to prevent the formation of Plastic Shrinkage Cracks while under stress.

PGI's Performance Concrete Fibers intersect microscopic cracks when they first attempt to form and minimize the length and width of those cracks as they appear, while allowing uniform distribution of the shrinkage stresses that develop.

Shrinkage Cracking Reduction Products

SPECTER® Monofilament Concrete Fibers are manufactured from 100% homopolymer, polypropylene resin, containing no reprocessed olefin materials, and in compliance with ASTM C-1116 "Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete." 

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GENESIS® XF Fibrillated Concrete Fibers are manufactured in compliance with ASTM C-1116 "Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete.GENESIS® XF Concrete Fibers are specifically engineered for use in concrete as secondary reinforcement and for the purpose of controlling plastic shrinkage and settlement tracking.

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PGI's NY-LOK™ Concrete Fibers are designed to control early cracking in concrete caused by plastic shrinkage, thermal expansion and contraction. NY-LOK™ fibers offer excellent finishability that will save time and reduce labor costs.

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SPECTER® Monofilament Concrete Fibers are manufactured from 100% homopolymer, polypropylene resin, containing no reprocessed olefin materials, and in compliance with ASTM C-1116 "Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete." 

[more information]

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