One of the most common complaints about concrete
is cracking. Cracking of concrete is caused by any number of factors
including drying shrinkage, thermal contraction, sub grade settlement,
load on concrete and restraint (external or internal) to shortening.
Preventing problem cracking is your best option here. Truly, the age
old saying, "ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure" is true in
this case. You make cracking a lot less likely at the very start by
providing good design and installation of joints.
FIGURE B is a good example of cracking because of poor joint design
or installation. Cracks that occur before hardening usually result
because of settlement with in the concrete mass, or shrinkage of the
surface caused by rapid loss of water while the concrete is still
plastic.
V-SEAL 102V-4 retards rapid water loss in the critical curing
process and allows the concrete to mature as intended for greater
overall strength.
FIGURE A above shows an example of this (plastic-shrinkage)
cracking.