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Reinforcing concrete to reduce cracking 
Concrete walks that are reinforced with steel as in the photo can resist cracking from soil settlement, soil heaving and root expansion underneath. As roots grow under the slab they are less able to lift the slab because it is very heavy. If the slab weighs enough roots will deform instead of lifting the slab.
We do not yet know what weight is needed to deform the root instead of lifting the slab but Dr. Grabosky from Rutgers University is working on that.
