Utilising super absorbent polymers as alternative method to test plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete

Plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete is due to evaporation, which is aggravated by harsh environmental conditions. By controlling the conditions in a laboratory to cause high evaporation rates, plastic shrinkage cracks can be induced and then tested. However, in order to control these conditions (wind, temperature, humidity) a large and expensive climate controlled chamber is required. Super absorbent polymers (SAP) are designed to absorb water and could possibly be used to mimic evaporation and thus induce plastic shrinkage cracks. In this study, by testing varying amounts and types of SAP, as well as different concrete mixes, the validity of using SAP as a novel method for testing plastic shrinkage cracking is investigated. The test results indicated that by using the method proposed and placing SAP on the surface of the concrete, plastic settlement and shrinkage occurs in the concrete. The results showed that higher amounts of SAP placed on the surface of the concrete resulted in more plastic shrinkage and ultimately larger plastic shrinkage cracks. Larger plastic shrinkage cracks also formed when SAP with a higher and faster absorption was used. Based on the results of the tested proposition, the proposed method of placing SAP on the surface of the concrete can be utilised to induce plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete. If the same SAP is used internationally for this purpose, all tests could be compared using the same test procedure. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.