Flexibility

To resist cement shrinkage cracking, several strategies can be employed. Firstly, using shrinkage-compensating cement or expansive cement can mitigate shrinkage by counteracting volume reduction. Additionally, incorporating fibers like polypropylene or steel into the mix enhances tensile strength, reducing crack formation. Proper curing methods, such as moist curing or curing compounds, maintain adequate moisture levels, crucial for minimizing shrinkage. Limiting the water-cement ratio also helps, as excess water contributes to higher shrinkage. Lastly, employing shrinkage-reducing admixtures or supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash or silica fume can improve overall durability by mitigating shrinkage stresses in the cement matrix.