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The influence of the rate of loading and weak or stiff test machine
is also decisive. The determination of the maximum tensile strain is
subjected to different factors, such as sensitivity of measuring
devices and the magnification power of the optical instrument used
for the cracks detection. Therefore, the definition of matrix failure in
not precise enough to exclude all ambiguity. In general, it is assumed
that Portland cement paste offers a maximum tensile strain of about
100-200.10-6 but smaller values of the order of 60.10-6 are also
observed.
The crystals are surrounded by the gel with low tensile strength,
cracks appear, which may be detected both by microscopical
observation and by increased permeability of the paste. It is
estimated that crack width varies between 0.125m and 1.0m.
Plastic shrinkage can be controlled by keeping the concrete
surface wet since the very beginning.
The direct cause is the evaporation and the crack may be
considerably reduced if the loss of water can be limited during at
least first eight hours after casting. Cracks also develop in the
cement based composites due to other kinds of shrinkage.
Thermal variations may cause cracks, because in these highly
heterogeneous materials the thermal expansion of various
components are slightly different and produce a system of tensile
and compressive stresses due to local restraints.
The overall deformations of the elements also produce stresses
and possible cracks if the displacements are restrained by
reinforcing bars, neighboring members and layers of old concrete
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