Control of early thermal cracking of raft foundation by using slagcrete portland blast-furnace cement (PBFC)

Abstract

The ability of a building to sustain the applied loads depends on the building's foundation system. Foundation is an important part of every building, which interfaces the superstructures to the adjacent soil or rock below it. Therefore, early thermal cracks have to be well controlled to have a durable foundation. Thermal movement occurs when the temperature of concrete changes due to environment changes or heat generated when the cement first hydrates. Thermal movements due to changes in the ambient temperature are normally not a problem in concrete structures. It can be controlled by number of movement joints or isolation membrane. However, the temperature differential between the center and the surface of the concrete is hard to be controlled by workmanship.