To ensure that concrete does not crack due to stress load, it is important to build the slab on a well-drained, evenly compacted subgrade and make sure it is thick enough for the type of use it will receive. In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for hallways and patios. However, in practice, this may not always be true. Concrete is designed to crack when used as a building material.
Not all cracks in concrete are severe enough to require repair. For example, the fine cracks in a floor can be air brushed with brown dye to create a beautiful crackle pattern. Curing is essential for protecting fresh concrete from evaporation. When laying a concrete slab on the ground or above ground for a two-story house, it is important to control the rate of moisture loss during cement hydration.
Curing is necessary to ensure that the concrete does not dry out too quickly and that the slab builds up strength, long-term durability, and wear resistance. The compressive strength of properly cured concrete can be twice that of uncured concrete. The concrete mix must meet compressive strength requirements (generally 3000 pounds per square inch), with no measures that cause excessive shrinkage. Water can increase shrinkage and cracking due to concrete moisture, so it is important to use a gravel base in the surrounding ground.
This will help prevent water or moisture from affecting the concrete slab. Most of the time, wire mesh is not necessary for a 4-inch slab. However, if you are putting a lot of weight on the slab or are worried that it will crack, it's a good idea to use wire reinforcement mesh to add additional tensile strength. In reinforced concrete design, steel is designed to withstand stress while concrete carries compression. Garages require strength to hold heavy equipment, heavy vehicles, or two smaller cars. The absolute minimum thickness for a concrete slab, as provided by the IRC, is only part of the information to be considered.
If your yard will support a lot of weight, increase thickness or use high-strength concrete with a rating of 5 to 6,000 PSI. Even if it's your first concrete project, you can ensure a professional and long-lasting finish by avoiding some pitfalls and using the right repair products. The ground below the slab can also have a big impact, especially if the concrete slab is too thin. The concrete should be evenly distributed around the area of the slab to be as close as possible to its final position in terms of width, length and depth. However, many concrete structures do not receive curing other than being left idle for several days after the concrete has been laid. Feel free to place joints closer together for greater protection against cracking and consider breaking large slabs with joints that are perpendicular.
There are situations that require concrete reinforcement but many are left up to personal opinion. The chemical reaction which causes concrete to move from a liquid or plastic state to a solid state requires water. The following information is useful for diagnosing cracked concrete but if you want expert input contact a nearby contractor for an in-person evaluation. For example, anchor bolts can offer more support for the legs of a concrete chair as shown in this video from Quikrete team. For smaller projects such as decorative items you can add wire mesh during pouring to improve strength and reduce cracking.
