Where Do Concrete Cracks Come From?
Concrete cracking is a phenomenon where the surface of concrete splits into lines or grooves. These cracks often lack uniformity in size, direction, or thickness. Over time, if not properly treated, these cracks may develop further and lead to unpredictable consequences.
This phenomenon is one of the main causes of reduced structural lifespan. Its impact may not be immediate, but it's difficult to determine the exact timeline. The consequence of concrete cracking is ultimately structural failure, causing not only property damage but also potentially threatening human lives. Therefore, treating concrete cracks is an extremely important issue that should be addressed as early as possible. However, before finding a solution, it is necessary to understand the reasons behind this phenomenon to propose the most reasonable approach.
What Causes Concrete Cracks?
Shrinkage Cracks: These cracks appear shortly after pouring concrete. They are narrow and resemble bird footprints. They occur because water evaporates too quickly from the surface, causing a deformation between the top and bottom of the slab. This often happens when concrete is poured during noon, in hot and dry weather.
Prevention: Avoid pouring concrete in intense heat. After pouring, properly finish the surface. Use wet sacks to cover and continuously moisten for 3 days.
Settlement Cracks: These occur when the foundation of a structure shifts. Settlement cracks are usually serious and may result from poor foundation treatment. Other causes include soil erosion or weak foundation soil. In shallow residential foundations surrounded by large trees, roots may cause cracking.
Structural Calculation Errors: These cracks are caused by design mistakes, where the load exceeds the concrete’s bearing capacity, leading to cracking or collapse. Although this issue is rare due to meticulous planning, it can happen when homeowners expand their houses without recalculating load capacity.
Material Issues: In modern construction, concrete is often sourced from mixing stations. From mixing to transportation and setting, concrete is affected by distance, method of transportation, mix ratio, heat of hydration, etc. These factors influence its quality. Additionally, variations in cement types, additives, cement strength, aggregate size, and flake content give concrete different material properties, contributing significantly to crack formation.
External Forces: These are forces acting on concrete from outside sources, such as earthquakes or human activities like drilling or geological surveys. Cracks from such forces are unpredictable and sudden, making them dangerous due to the lack of timely response. However, these cases are rare and not usually a major concern in practice0.
Time-Related Cracks (Corrosion): When reinforced concrete is exposed to moisture and oxygen, corrosion may occur. This happens through small cracks that allow water to reach the steel reinforcement, causing it to rust and expand, pushing the concrete out and creating larger cracks. Regular inspection and early treatment of small cracks can prevent serious damage.
What is the MICP Method?
Crack healing in concrete using MICP (Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation) is an advanced biotechnology that uses bacteria to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), sealing fine cracks in concrete. This is an environmentally friendly, self-healing method that is gaining attention in sustainable construction.
How Does the Crack-Healing Process Work?
Stage 1: Preparation
Select bacteria (Sporosarcina pasteurii)
Prepare a nutrient medium for the bacteria
Use aggregate capable of alkali-silica reaction
Stage 2: Bacterial Culture in Solution
Bacteria are cultured for strong growth
They produce urease – the enzyme that breaks urea into NH₄⁺ and CO₃²⁻
Stage 3: Biological Reaction
Bacteria hydrolyze urea
Generate NH₄⁺ and increase pH
Create CO₃²⁻ ions
Stage 4: CaCO₃ Precipitation
CaCO₃ precipitates on aggregate surfaces, forming a protective layer
Bibliography
[1] C. T. T. S. - X. T. P. KHÁNH, "Nguyên nhân của nứt bê tông," Chống Thấm Phú Khánh, [Online]. Available: https://chongthamphukhanh.com/tin-tuc/nguyen-nhan-cua-nut-be-tong-43.html
[2] C. T. T. T. K. V. X. D. SBS, "Nguyên nhân và biện pháp xử lý vết nứt sàn bê tông," SBS House, [Online]. Available: https://sbshouse.vn/nguyen-nhan-va-bien-phap-xu-ly-vet-nut-san-be-tong/
[3] G. Magtech, "Phân tích nguyên nhân gây ra vết nứt trong kết cấu bê tông," Precast Concrete Magnet, [Online]. Available: https://vn.precastconcretemagnet.com/news/analysis-on-the-causes-of-cracks-in-concrete
The News 01/08/2025
Hinoki wood (Japanese cypress – Chamaecyparis obtusa) is a precious type of wood native to Japan, known for its light color, fine grain, and pleasant natural aroma. Thanks to its antibacterial, moisture-resistant, and heat-resistant properties, Hinoki has long been used in traditional architecture, such as temples, onsen bathtubs, and especially saunas. With its calming fragrance and exceptional durability, Hinoki is increasingly favored in modern bathroom design, offering a luxurious and serene experience for users.
The News 22/07/2025
In the context of rapid urbanization, localized flooding and water pollution are becoming increasingly severe, particularly due to stormwater runoff on impermeable surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. Permeable pavers have emerged as an advanced, environmentally friendly construction material designed to reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants at the source. Not only do these pavers allow for rapid water drainage, but they also act as a primary filter that traps dust, heavy metals, and vehicle-related contaminants, thus improving urban environmental quality. This material is a part of the new wave of sustainable construction trends, widely adopted in developed countries but still relatively new in Vietnam.
The News 11/07/2025
In the era of digital technology and the explosive growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), architecture is no longer merely the art of construction—it has evolved into an intelligent ecosystem, where buildings can sense, analyze, and respond to their environment. One of the most advanced solutions driving breakthroughs in modern construction is the sensor-embedded brick with integrated circuits. This is no longer a passive traditional building material, but rather a “sensing brick,” equipped with internal sensors and processing microchips capable of measuring temperature, humidity, vibration, and impact forces, and wirelessly transmitting data in real-time. The application of this technology in construction not only enhances the ability to monitor structural safety but also unlocks the potential for smart, sustainable, and energy-efficient buildings. This topic aims to clarify the role of integrating sensors and microchips into building bricks, the manufacturing process, and notable practical applications.
The News 03/07/2025
The rapid growth of the construction industry has significantly contributed to global resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the search for environmentally friendly alternative materials has become a critical necessity. One promising direction is the use of mycelium bio bricks, a type of bio composite material that can self grow and bind organic substrates.
The News 30/06/2025
3D concrete tiles are a modern type of building and decorative material, made from concrete or geopolymer, with a raised three-dimensional surface featuring geometric, natural, or artistic patterns. Thanks to their strong visual effects, 3D concrete tiles not only provide high aesthetic value but also help improve sound insulation, thermal resistance, and waterproofing. With advantages in durability, ease of construction, and environmental friendliness, especially when combined with recycled materials such as ground brick waste, 3D concrete tiles are becoming an ideal material solution for both interior and exterior modern spaces.
The News 25/06/2025
Amid rapid urbanization and rising aesthetic demands in modern construction, smart and sustainable materials are gradually replacing traditional solutions. Among them, luminescent concrete has emerged as an innovative trend that combines lighting functionality with the mechanical durability of conventional concrete. Not only does it offer a distinctive visual appeal, but it also enhances safety, conserves energy, and improves spatial efficiency in low-light environments. With vast potential for applications in transportation infrastructure, landscape architecture, and smart urban design, this material is paving the way for new directions in the construction industry during the era of green technology.
Members