Cold joints can reduce the overall strength and durability of concrete structures due to weaker bonding at the interface. Few defects pose a more immediate and insidious threat to the long-term performance and intended load-transfer characteristics of a structure than cold joints in concrete columns. While often dismissed as purely aesthetic blemishes, a cold joint is, fundamentally, a failure of integration—a plane. This review examined the effects of construction joints, particularly cold joints, on reinforced concrete beams' structural performance and integrity. These joints can compromise structural integrity by creating weak points prone to cracking, water infiltration, and reduced load-bearing. A cold joint in concrete construction is a plane of weakness that forms when new, wet concrete is poured against concrete that has already begun to harden. We'll explore its main causes and share some innovative strategies to tackle the problem.
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