Concrete in tension : problems and improvements

Abstract

The hydration of cement and the development of the microstructure of concrete are reviewed. The relationship between the weakness of concrete in tension and the inherent deficiencies in the microstructure of concrete is discussed. Different methods of altering the concrete microstructure are presented. Five distinct developments are considered in the following chapters, namely fibre-reinforced concrete, latex-modified concrete, dense particle-packed concrete, shrinknge-compcnsated concrete and superplasticized concrete. These systems are assessed in terms of performance and cost. The tensile/compressive ratio is used as a comparative index.