Simplified testing methods for material parameters for early cracking

In civil engineering and infrastructure projects, structures often face a high risk of early-age cracking. According to the Civil Engineering AMA, assessing this cracking risk is essential and forms the foundation for implementing preventive measures. To enable reliable assessments for concrete incorporating new types of binders, there is a need for simplified and efficient testing methods. These methods must deliver key parameters for cracking risk evaluation in a time- and cost-effective manner, while maintaining sufficient accuracy.
The project goals are to develop and validate simplified test methods for determining early-age material properties in a more accurate and reproducible way. Additionally, the project will investigate how critical parameters — including those outlined in Annex D of the new Eurocode (EN 1992-1-1:2023)—are influenced by temperature conditions during the early curing phase, across various binder types.