Abstract
The structure and the development degree of a cracking pattern has a key impact on the durability of cement composites. This literature review focuses on the four most important aspects related to the evaluation of the surface cracking patterns, i.e., the process of formation, propagation and evolution of cracks into a branched system of cracks from the point of view of the fracture mechanics; the detection techniques of the cracking patterns on the surface of cement composites, where the tools of computer image analysis are the most used; parameters which can quantify the development degree and morphology of the cracks system; and also the influence of a cracking pattern on the functional features of cement composites. The studies described so far indicate the necessity of continuous development of this research area, because the knowledge of key relationships between the cracking patterns and functional properties of a cement composite is necessary to estimate the degree of material degradation. Researchers agree that the works carried out in the field of evaluation of the cracking patterns, to a large extent, contributes to the development of non-destructive testing methods in the field of cement composites technology.
Highlights
A cement composite is a conglomerate of aggregate grains combined into an artificial stone as a result of hardening of cement paste
The authors of the works, which have been included in the literature review, stress the universality of individual methods, as they can be applied to virtually any engineering problem aimed at identifying surface linear structures
The presented crack identification techniques have been developed mainly to apply to the surface of cement composites, practically in every application, i.e., bridge structures, reinforced concrete tanks, floor and wall structures, structures in nuclear power plants, dams, etc
Summary
A cement composite is a conglomerate of aggregate grains combined into an artificial stone as a result of hardening of cement paste. No work has been recorded in which this subject has been discussed in a collective way, i.e., starting from the presentation of the mechanism that causes cracks and their transformation into a cracking pattern, through the techniques used for analysis, as well as quantitative parameters that can characterize the cracking patterns, to the most important thing from the point of view of the cement composites technology—i.e., how the cracking patterns affect the functional properties of this group of materials
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