Application limitation

Why it matters for the calculation method

How to account for it in design and control

No laboratory verification of a specific concrete mix

Calculated E values provide comparative assessment but do not replace specimen testing

Test watertightness, frost resistance and crack closure ability

Dependence of crystallization on moisture and curing conditions

Poor curing reduces the effect of capillary and crack sealing

Record curing regime, moisture care, admixture dosage and compaction quality

Limited width of effectively healable cracks

Large, through and moving cracks should not be considered self-removable

Introduce a crack-width threshold and provide waterstops, injection or repair compounds

Higher requirements for technological discipline

Non-uniform admixture distribution and concreting errors reduce the result

Include control operations in method statements, technological maps and construction control programs

Economic uncertainty when only initial costs are assessed

An integrated system may be more expensive initially but cheaper over the life cycle

Compare alternatives by life-cycle costs: installation, repair, downtime and indirect losses