Hi

I'm involved in a project where the concrete weight coating applied to a submarine pipeline has started to crack even before the pipeline has been installed. Steel reinforcement was installed in the concrete as a cracking control measure (0.23% each way). The cracks are up to 2-3mm wide. Does anyone have any advice regarding the cause of the cracking? I know the concrete will crack anyway but the assumption was that the steel reinforcement in the concrete was sufficient to keep the crack widths (<0.2mm) and crack spacing within allowable limits. The project is in the middle east (high temperatures) the formwork was steel, the cement used was PFA cement, the curing method was steam curing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

desm

Possibly try using nylon re-inforcement if the concrete is just a dead weight. Could be rapid corrosion of the steel was it coated.

Possibly try using nylon re-inforcement if the concrete is just a dead mass for holding down the pipe. Could be rapid corrosion of the steel. Was the re-inforcement coated.If not and you have large cracks its going to spall quickly.

 Was the concrete installed before the pipeline was laid
or after.

Possibly try using nylon re-inforcement if the concrete is just a dead mass for holding down the pipe. Could be rapid corrosion of the steel. Was the re-inforcement coated.If not and you have large cracks its going to spall quickly.

 Was the concrete installed before the pipeline was laid
or after.