True or False: Craze cracking is likely if concrete dries too soon after finishing.

True or False: Craze cracking is likely if concrete dries too soon after finishing.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Craze cracking happens when the surface of concrete dries out too quickly after finishing. When the outer layer loses moisture fast, it shrinks more than the interior, which is still curing and holds more moisture. That differential shrinkage puts tensile stress near the surface and shows up as a network of fine, map-like cracks. Keeping the surface moist during the early curing period helps the paste gain strength more uniformly and reduces the tendency for this surface cracking. To prevent it, use appropriate curing methods—fogging, wet burlap, plastic sheeting, or curing compounds—and avoid conditions that promote rapid evaporation, such as hot, windy environments. This makes craze cracking a likelihood when drying is too rapid after finishing.

Craze cracking happens when the surface of concrete dries out too quickly after finishing. When the outer layer loses moisture fast, it shrinks more than the interior, which is still curing and holds more moisture. That differential shrinkage puts tensile stress near the surface and shows up as a network of fine, map-like cracks. Keeping the surface moist during the early curing period helps the paste gain strength more uniformly and reduces the tendency for this surface cracking. To prevent it, use appropriate curing methods—fogging, wet burlap, plastic sheeting, or curing compounds—and avoid conditions that promote rapid evaporation, such as hot, windy environments. This makes craze cracking a likelihood when drying is too rapid after finishing.