Controlling Cracks in Cementitious Materials

Abstract

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention involves means 1 for controlling cracking in a body of cementitious material, for example concrete, having an elongate base 2 , elongate side wall portions 3 and 4 extending from the base and angling towards one another, and an aperture of apertures in the side wall portions. When the means for controlling cracking is in use it can be positioned base down so that a cementitious substance prone to cracking can be poured around and at least partially through it such that cracks which form in the cementitious substance occur at or in the vicinity of the means for controlling cracking.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A crack controlling system for a cementitious substance, said crack controlling system comprising:
 an elongated base adapted to be positioned such that a cementitious substance is poured thereon; and   at least one elongated side wall portion extending from said base, wherein said side wall portion defining at least one aperture therethrough adapted to receive said cementitious substance.   
   
   
       22 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said cementitious substance is concrete. 
   
   
       23 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said side wall portion is at least two elongated side wall portions extending from said base and angling towards one another. 
   
   
       24 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said side wall portion, together with a portion of said base between them, form a triangular shape when viewed in transverse cross section. 
   
   
       25 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 24  further comprising an extension extending upwards from an apex of said triangular shape. 
   
   
       26 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 25  further comprising a joint adapted to connect a plurality of said crack controlling systems, said joint having at least one sleeve adapted to be inserted into said triangular shape, a lip for restricting the insertion of said sleeve into said triangular shape, and at least one defined aperture. 
   
   
       27 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said side wall aperture makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion. 
   
   
       28 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said side wall portion extends upwards from said base such that said base and said side wall portion are substantially in an inverted “T” shape when viewed in transverse cross section. 
   
   
       29 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said aperture makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion. 
   
   
       30 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said side wall portion extends upwards from said base such that said base and said side wall portion substantially form a right angle, and wherein said aperture makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion. 
   
   
       31 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said base is a substantially V-shaped portion, and wherein said side wall portion extends out from the interior of the apex said V-shaped base 
   
   
       32 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 31  further comprising an additional V-shape portion, wherein said free end of said side wall portion extends to the apex of said additional V-shaped portion. 
   
   
       33 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said V-shaped portions have their apexes oriented in substantially the same direction. 
   
   
       34 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein said V-shaped portions have their apexes oriented in substantially the opposite directions. 
   
   
       35 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein one of said V-shaped portions is substantially larger than said other V-shaped portion. 
   
   
       36 . The crack controlling system as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said aperture makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion. 
   
   
       37 . A crack controlling system for a cementitious substance, said crack controlling system comprising:
 an elongated base adapted to be positioned such that a cementitious substance is poured thereon;   at least one elongated side wall portion extending from said base, wherein said side wall portion defining at least one aperture therethrough adapted to receive said cementitious substance, said aperture of said crack controlling system makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion; and   an extension extending upwards from said side wall portion;   a joint adapted to connect a plurality of said crack controlling systems.   
   
   
       38 . A method of controlling cracks in a cementitious substance, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a crack controlling system comprising an elongated base adapted to be positioned such that a cementitious substance is poured thereon; and at least one elongated side wall portion extending from said base, wherein said side wall portion defining at least one aperture therethrough adapted to receive said cementitious substance;   arranging said cracking controlling system in a position where it is desired that cracks form in said cementitious substance;   arranging a volume of the cementitious substance so that it extends around and at least partially through said side wall portion; and   allowing cracks to form in said cementitious substance in the vicinity of said crack controlling system.   
   
   
       39 . The method as set forth in  claim 38 , wherein said cementitious substance is concrete. 
   
   
       40 . The method as set forth in  claim 38 , wherein said aperture of said crack controlling system makes up at least 50% of said side wall portion.