Shrink Resistant Concrete

There are two different kinds of water in concrete, water of hydration and water of convenience, of which both are necessary. When concrete hardens, the water of hydration is consumed by the cement and becomes permanent. The water of convenience is used to place and finish the concrete but it does not become part of the hardened concrete. The water eventually evaporates out of the concrete. This gradual evaporation results in volume loss and causes concrete to crack as it dries because the tensile strength is less than the forces of the shrinking.

We recognize this volume loss and take steps to reduce the elements that shrink in the concrete. While we cannot eliminate cracks, we can greatly reduce the crack potential by using larger aggregate and chemical water reducers.