Title:
The Contractor’s Execution — Should Means and Methods Eliminate Cracking?
Author(s):
Antommattei
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_F23_Antommattei2.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/29/2023
Abstract:
This presentation will be focused on the contractors’ perspective on dealing with cracking, in different types of work such as buildings, bridges, dams, pavements and water retaining structures. From knowing the design details and specifications for construction to understanding the effect of the field operations and concrete materials properties, it is important to recognize the causes or contributing factors to the different types of cracking. Concrete cracking can occur for numerous reasons in different structures and under different construction conditions with different materials, but there also other non-technical factors that influence projects procurement, budget and schedule available from the client that is important to understand how cracking is dealt in a specific project. Even if the design meets the Code, the concrete producer uses good quality materials to optimize the mix for low shrinkage or low thermal, and the contractor builds the work in compliance to the industry standards and specified requirements, it is well known and recognized within the design professionals and concrete construction industry that concrete can and will crack – but, does the client knows that and what it takes to design/build a crack free structure? Or, what are the impacts of cracking? In summary, cracking can be managed, mitigated, reduced, and controlled by different parts of the work, but it is also expected and very likely not always eliminated within the client procurement, budget and schedule available for the project.