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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
LOPEZ BRANCH
LOPEZ, QUEZON
BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE AND

STEEL STRUCTURES
COMMON DEFECTS OF CONCRETE

ALYANA MARSHA F. ENGGAO
DCVET 3-1
PROF: ENGR. JOMAR ALCANTARA

1. Cracking
- Cracks in concrete can occur for a variety of reasons, but when they are
very large, it is dangerous to use the concrete framework.
- Numerous causes of cracking include inadequate curing, the absence of
expansion and contraction joints, the use of a high slump concrete mix,
and an unsuitable sub-grade.
- To stop cracking, use a low water-cement ratio and a high proportion of
coarse aggregate in the concrete mix. Calcium chloride-containing
admixtures must be avoided. The surface should be protected from
excessive evaporation of moisture. Loads can be applied to the surface of
the concrete only after it has reached its full strength.
TYPES OF CRACKING
1. Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks

When concrete is still in its plastic state (before hardening), it is full of water.
When that water eventually leaves the slab, it leaves behind large voids
between the solid particles. These empty spaces make the concrete weaker
and more prone to cracking. This type of cracking happens frequently and is
referred to as “plastic shrinkage cracking”.
While plastic shrinkage cracks can happen anywhere in a slab or wall, they
almost always happen at reentrant corners (corners that point into the slab) or
with circular objects in the middle of a slab (pipes, plumbing fixtures, drains,
and manholes). Since concrete cannot shrink around a corner, stress will
cause the concrete to crack from the point of that corner.
2. Expansion concrete cracks
Just like a balloon, heat causes concrete to expand. When concrete
expands, it pushes against anything in its way (a brick wall or adjacent
slab for example). When neither has the ability to flex, the expanding force
can be enough to cause concrete to crack.
Expansion joints are used as a point of separation (or isolation), between

other static surfaces. Typically made of a compressible material like
asphalt, rubber, or lumber, expansion joints must act as shock absorbers
to relieve the stress that expansion puts on concrete and prevent cracking.
3. Heaving concrete cracks

When the ground freezes, it can sometimes lift many inches before
thawing and settling back down. This ground movement brought on by the
freezing and thawing cycle is a huge factor contributing to concrete
cracking. If the slab is not free to move with the ground, the slab will crack.
Large tree roots can have the same effect on a slab. If a tree is located too
close to a slab, the growing roots can lift and crack the concrete surface.
Always consider this when laying a slab.
4. Settling concrete cracks
On the other hand, ground settling below a concrete slab can also cause
cracking.
Settling cracks typically occur in situations where a void is created in the

ground below the concrete surface. Think about when a large tree is
removed from nearby and the roots begin to decompose or when a utility
company digs a trench for their lines, pipes, etc. and don’t compact the soil
when they refill it–these are examples of instances where settling cracks
are likely to happen.
5. Concrete cracks caused by overloading the slab

Although concrete is a very strong building material, it does have its limits.
Placing excessive amounts of weight on top of a concrete slab can cause
cracking. When you hear a concrete mix has a strength of 2000, 3000,
4000, or 5000+ PSI, it is referring to the pounds per square inch it would
take to crush that concrete slab.
When it comes to residential concrete slabs, overload of the actual slab

isn’t all that common. Instead, what is more likely to occur is excess
overload on the ground below the slab.
After a heavy rain or snowmelt when the ground below is soft and wet,
excessive weight on the slab can press the concrete down and result in
cracks. Residential homeowners who place large recreational vehicles or
dumpsters on their driveways are more likely to see this type of cracking.
6. Concrete cracks caused by premature drying
There are two common types of cracks brought on by premature drying.
Crazing cracks are very fine, surface cracks that resemble spider webs or
shattered glass. When the top of a concrete slab loses moisture too
quickly, crazing cracks will likely appear. While unsightly, crazing cracks
are not a structural concern.
Crusting cracks typically happen during the concrete stamping process,

which is a way of adding texture or pattern to concrete surfaces. On sunny
or windy days where the top of the slab dries out quicker than the bottom,
the top of the concrete surface can become crusty. When the stamp is
embedded, it pulls the surface apart near the stamped joints and causes
small cracks around the outside edges of the “stones”. Again, while they
don’t look great, crusting cracks are not a structural issue to be considered
about.
2. Crazing
Crazing, alternatively referred to as pattern cracking or map cracking, is the
uneven formation of closely spaced shallow cracks.
Crazing occurs as a result of the top surface of concrete rapidly hardening

due to high temperatures, an excess of water in the mix, or inadequate curing.
Avoiding pattern cracking requires careful curing, dampening the sub-grade to
prevent water absorption from the concrete, and protecting the surface from
sudden temperature changes.
3. Blistering
Blistering is the development of hollow bumps of varying sizes on the surface
of finished concrete as a result of trapped air under the finished concrete
surface.
It may occur as a result of excessive vibration in the concrete mix, excessive

entrapped air in the mix, or improper finishing.
Blistering can also occur as a result of excessive water evaporation on the top
surface of concrete.
It can be avoided by using a proper proportion of additives in the concrete

mix, by covering the top surface to prevent evaporation, and by using proper
placement and finishing techniques.
4. Delamination
Delamination is also a condition that resembles blistering. Additionally, in this
situation, the top surface of concrete separates from the underlying concrete.
Delamination occurs when the top layer of concrete hardens before the
underlying concrete does. This is because the water and air evaporating from
the underlying concrete collide between these two surfaces, resulting in the
formation of space.
As with blistering, delamination can be avoided through the use of proper

finishing techniques. It is preferable to begin finishing after the bleeding
process has ended.
5. Dusting
Dusting, alternatively referred to as chalking, is the disintegration of fine and
loose powdered concrete onto hardened concrete.
This occurs as a result of an accumulation of water in concrete. It results in

water bleeding from the concrete; as a result, fine particles such as cement or
sand rise to the top, resulting in dust at the top level.
To prevent dusting, use a low slump concrete mix to achieve a hard, wear-
resistant concrete surface. Utilize water-reducing admixtures to achieve the
desired slump. Additionally, it is recommended to use superior finishing
techniques, which should begin immediately after extracting the bleed water
from the concrete surface.
6. Curling
Curling occurs when a concrete slab is distorted into a curved form by upward
or downward displacement of the edges or corners.
It is caused primarily by variations in the moisture content or temperature of

the slab surface (top) and the slab base (bottom).
Curling of a concrete slab may be either upward or downward. When the top
surface is dry and cooled prior to the bottom surface, the top surface starts to
contract and upward curling occurs. When the bottom surface is dried and
cooled as a result of the high temperature and high moisture content, it
shrinks ahead of the top surface, resulting in downward curling.
To avoid curling, use a low shrinkage concrete mix, provide control joints,
strengthen the edges with strong reinforcement, or provide thick edges.
7. Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the deposition of salt deposits on the surface of concrete.
Generally, formed salts are white in color.
This is because the water used to make the concrete mix contains soluble
salts. As concrete hardens, these soluble salts are raised to the top surface
by hydrostatic pressure, and salt deposits form on the surface after full drying.
It can be avoided by combining with clean, pure water and using chemically
ineffective aggregates. Additionally, cement does not contain more than 1%
alkalis by weight.
8. Scaling and Spalling

Scaling and spalling both result in deterioration of the concrete surface and
flaking of the concrete. The primary cause of these types of cases is water
penetration through the concrete surface. Steel becomes corroded as a result,
and spalling or scaling can occur .
Other possible factors include the use of a non-air entrained concrete mix,
insufficient curing, and the use of low strength concrete. This form of defect
can be avoided by using well-designed concrete mixes, applying air
entrainment admixtures, properly finishing and curing the concrete, and
having a good slope to drain surface water.
Scaling Spalling

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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE AND

COMMON DEFECTS OF CONCRETE

PROF: ENGR. JOMAR ALCANTARA

1. Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks

Expansion joints are used as a point of separation (or isolation), between

3. Heaving concrete cracks

Settling cracks typically occur in situations where a void is created in the

5. Concrete cracks caused by overloading the slab

When it comes to residential concrete slabs, overload of the actual slab

Crusting cracks typically happen during the concrete stamping process,

Crazing occurs as a result of the top surface of concrete rapidly hardening

It may occur as a result of excessive vibration in the concrete mix, excessive

It can be avoided by using a proper proportion of additives in the concrete

As with blistering, delamination can be avoided through the use of proper

This occurs as a result of an accumulation of water in concrete. It results in

It is caused primarily by variations in the moisture content or temperature of

8. Scaling and Spalling

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