Concrete cracks. Does it have to?

Typical concrete floors are designed with control joints to manage cracking and cold joints to facilitate concrete placement. It is at these joints that problems like widening cracks, bacterial growth and slab curling can lead to a continuous need for cleaning, grinding and caulking—not to mention the wear and tear on equipment and potential for premature slab failure.

So what is the solution? Since concrete has high compressive strength but is weak in tension and shrinks as it cures, the traditional design solution has been to regulate or control the inherent cracking by pairing rebar with the concrete to overcome the weakness in tension. While testing on a polished floor, unanticipated flaws occurred. Though rebar prevents natural concrete shrinkage, invisible hairline cracks are accentuated every few inches when stain and polish are applied. 

MagicSlab was developed as a result of extensive research and testing and approximately 100,000 square feet of poured test slabs. The end result eliminates more than 95% of typical cracks, saw-cuts and cold joints. This patented process produces slabs that are seamless, durable and easy to maintain and are suitable for upscale office buildings as well as industrial shop and warehouse spaces.  

Maintenance costs of MagicSlab are expected to be a small fraction of the cost of maintaining traditional floor coverings. The joint-free technology creates a stunning visual impact through the continuous, smooth appearance of unbroken concrete.