Cracking in reinforced concrete structures is inevitable. Cracks occur wherever and whenever the tensile stress in the concrete exceeds the tensile strength of the concrete.This can occur as a result of design, supply, construction, and project management processes. For example, if care is not taken during construction, cracking can occur in the wet concrete before the concrete sets due to plastic shrinkage or plastic settlement. After the concrete sets and hardens, tensile stress at any location in the structure may be caused by many different factors, including early-age, heat of hydration, applied loads, restrained shrinkage, temperature changes, settlement of the supports and so on.This can have dramatic impacts on the concrete, the structure, and the stakeholders involved.
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