Technical Knowledge
How to strengthen the concrete soil floorto to control the cracking
Reinforced rebar and welding mesh control the crack width on non-structural soil flooring.

Most of the earthen floors do not do enhanced treatment, or simply do nominal enhancement measures to control the width of the cracks. When reinforced rebar is placed in the upper or top position of the floor thickness, it can limit the width of random cracks caused by concrete shrinkage, temperature stress, foundation subsidence, external loads, and other problems.
This type of enhancement is often referred to as a shrinkage and temperature enhancement device.
Most soil layers do not be reinforced, or simply do nominal enhancement measures to control the width of the cracks.
When the rebar is placed in the upper or top position of the floor thickness, the width of random cracks caused by concrete shrinkage, temperature stress, foundation subsidence, external loads, and other problems can be limited. This type of enhancement is often referred to as a shrinkage and temperature enhancement device.
Basic principle
Since there are many optional enhancements to non-structural soil flooring, this article will focus on controlling the crack width through reinforcement and mesh enhancement.
Reinforced rebar and welding mesh do not prevent cracking. Before the concrete cracking, the function of the enhancement device is basically dormant.
Once cracking occurs, the function is activated and its width is controlled by limiting the development of the crack. If the concrete slab is paved on a high-quality base and ensures good support, while using low-shrink concrete material, seam spacing is set at 4.5 meters or less and installed correctly, there is generally no need to take enhancement measures. In general, there is little random or non-seam cracking. If random cracks do occur, the crack width should also be kept smaller due to the relationship between smaller seam spacing and low shrink ingress to concrete materials, thus avoiding the problem of subsequent repairs or maintenance.
Once this happens, the edge of the crack is exposed and the edge is likely to burst, especially when the concrete slab is crushed by wheels, especially high-level forklifts with hard wheels.
Once the phenomenon of bursting occurs, the crack width of the surface will increase and the damage of the concrete slab along the crack site will deteriorate rapidly. Shrinking and temperature enhancement methods are required when shrink seams are not allowed in the field and are not installed. Sometimes this method is also known as continuously enhanced or seamless flooring, which allows for a large number of tightly distributed (90 to 180 cm) small cracks.
Methods of crack control

In general, there are 2 ways to control cracks:
(1) to control the position of the crack by installing a shrink seam (no control over the width of the crack), or
(2) to control the crack width by installing an enhancement device (uncontrollable of the crack position). Method 1, we can control the cracking position of the concrete slab, the width of the shrink seam or the cracking in the seam is largely controlled by seam spacing and concrete shrinkage. As seam spacing and concrete shrinkage increase, so does the seam width. Similar to cracks, if the seam width is close to about 0.9 mm, the efficiency of locking and conducting loads between the aggregates and avoiding vertical displacement between seams is greatly reduced.
With this in mind, many designers use load conduction designs such as force levers, force transfer sheets, or continuity reinforcements in the shrink seam position to ensure good load transfer and limit vertical displacement between seams. Method 2, we allow the concrete slab to crack randomly, but use reinforced steel or welded mesh to control the crack width. In general, this method is not used when setting the shrink seam. Cracking occurs randomly, forming numerous small, interlaced cracks. Due to appearance considerations, this type of crack control method needs to be communicated with the owner in advance.
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About the Author: Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech manufacturer specializing in concrete construction machinery, including laser screeds and related equipment. The company integrates R&D, production, and global sales, with products exported to over 60 countries and widely used in infrastructure projects worldwide.
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