Method and Apparatus For Reducing Propagation of Cracks in Concrete

Abstract

A method of reducing propagation of cracks in concrete includes placing at least one curved panel in an area into which concrete is to be poured such that a bottom surface of the at least one curved panel directly contacts a first surface of the area. The method further includes pouring the concrete onto the first surface of the area such that the concrete directly contacts a concave surface and a convex surface of the at least one curved panel. The concave surface and the convex surface project in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The method further includes ceasing to pour the concrete when substantially an entirety of the convex surface and substantially an entirety of the concave surface of the at least one curved panel are in direct contact with the concrete.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing propagation of cracks in concrete, the method comprising:
 placing at least one curved panel in an area into which concrete is to be poured such that a bottom surface of the at least one curved panel directly contacts a first surface of the area;   pouring the concrete onto the first surface of the area such that the concrete directly contacts a concave surface and a convex surface of the at least one curved panel, the concave surface and the convex surface projecting in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface; and   ceasing to pour the concrete when substantially an entirety of the convex surface and substantially an entirety of the concave surface of the at least one curved panel are in direct contact with the concrete.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area includes placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel directly contacts a second surface and a third surface of the area, the second surface and the third surface arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first surface.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area includes placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel forms a circular arc.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel forms a circular arc includes placing the at least one curved panel such that the circular arc subtends an angle of approximately 252°.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area includes placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel forms a closed curve.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel forms a closed curve includes placing the at least one curved panel such that the at least one curved panel forms a closed circle.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area includes:
 placing a first curved panel and a second curved panel in the area; and 
 engaging a first end of the first curved panel with a second end of the second curved panel such that the first curved panel and the second curved panel form a continuous curve. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area further includes:
 placing a third curved panel in the area; and 
 engaging a first end of the third curved panel with a second end of the first curved panel such that the first curved panel, the second curved panel, and the third curved panel form a continuous curve. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area further includes placing the first curved panel, the second curved panel, and the third curved panel such that a first end of the second panel directly contacts a second surface of the area and a second end of the third panel directly contacts a third surface of the area, the second surface and the third surface arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 placing the at least one curved panel in the area further includes:
 placing a fourth curved panel in the area; and 
 engaging a first end of the fourth curved panel with a second end of the third curved panel and engaging a second end of the fourth curved panel with a first end of the second curved panel such that the first curved panel, the second curved panel, the third curved panel, and the fourth curved panel form a continuous curve. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 ceasing to pour the concrete includes ceasing to pour the concrete when the concrete is flush with a top surface of the at least one curved panel, the top surface arranged substantially parallel with the bottom surface.