Plastic shrinkage refers to the reduction in the volume of freshly placed concrete before it sets, primarily due to the loss of water through evaporation. This phenomenon is particularly significant in severe environmental conditions such as high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, which can accelerate the rate of evaporation from the concrete surface. The primary mechanism behind plastic shrinkage involves the rapid loss of water that is not yet chemically bound to the cement, which leads to tensile stresses within the still-plastic concrete. If these stresses exceed the concrete’s tensile strength, cracking occurs, compromising the structural integrity and surface appearance of the concrete. The effects of plastic shrinkage are not only aesthetic but also structural, as these cracks can provide pathways for the ingress of deleterious substances like chlorides and sulfates, accelerating degradation processes such as corrosion and sulfate attack.