GOVERNMENT

POLYTECHNIC
JAMNAGAR
GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY

BRANCH - CIVIL ENGINEERING

SEMESTER - 6TH
YEAR - 2014
SUB. – CONRETE TECHNOLOGY
SEMINAR– CRACKS IN CONCRETE

GUIDE BY.
J.H.KOTADIYA
S.N.VADSOLA
GOVT. POLYTECHNIC JAMNAGAR
CIVIL DEPARTMENT

GROUP NO:.8
SR NAME EN NO.
NO
1 VYAS A.H. 106250306538
2 GOHIL S.J. 106250306547
3 JOSHI M.R. 116250306502
4 PARMAR A. D. 116250306510
5 SOJITRA M.B. 116250306521
6 ADITRAVADA A.A. 116250306526
 INTRODUCTION

Modern structures are comparatively tall and slender, have thin walls, are
designed for higher stresses and are built at a fast pace. These structures are, therefore, more
crack-prone as compared with old structures which used to be low, had thick walls, were lightly
stressed and were built at a slow pace. Moreover, moisture from rain can easily reach the
inside and spoil the finish of a modern building which has thin walls. Thus measures for control
of cracks in buildings have assumed much greater importance on account of the present trends
in construction.

The component exceeds its strength. Stress in a building component could be caused by
externally applied forces, such as dead, live, wind or seismic loads, or foundation settlement or it could
be induced internally due to thermal variations, moisture changes, chemical action, etc.

Cracks could be broadly classified as structural or non-structural. Structural cracks are those
which are due to incorrect design, faulty construction or overloading and these may endanger the
safety of a building. Extensive cracking of an RCC beam is an instance of structural cracking.
Non-structural cracks are mostly due to internally induced stresses in building materials and these
generally do not directly result in structural weakening. In course of time, however,
sometime non- structural cracks may, because of penetration of moisture through cracks or
weathering action, result in corrosion of reinforcement and thus may render the structure unsafe.
Vertical cracks in a long compound wall due to shrinkage or thermal variation is an instance of non-
structural .cracking. Non-structural cracks, normally do not endanger the safety of a building, but may
look unsightly, or may create an impression of faulty work or may give a feeling of instability.

 CRACKS IN BUILDING
Types of cracks
• Structural cracks.
• Non Structural Cracks.

Structural Cracks:
Structural cracks are those which result from incorrect design, faulty construction or overloading and
these may endanger the safety of a building and their inmates.

Non Structural Cracks:

Non Structural cracks occur mostly due to internally induced stresses in building materials. These
cracks normally do not endanger the safety but may look unsightly, create an impression of faulty work
or give a feeling of instability.
Cracks reappear over repaired surface as rust scales were not removed
TYPES OF CRACKS IN CONCRETE BEAMS

1. Cracks in concrete beams due to increased shear stress

2. Cracks in concrete beams due to corrosion or insufficient concrete cover

3. Cracks parallel to main steel in case of corrosion in beams

4. Cracks due to increased bending stress in beams

5. Cracks due to compression failure in beams

Depending on certain properties of building materials, shrinkage cracks may be wider

but further apart, or may be thin but more closely spaced. As a general rule, thin cracks, even though
closely spaced and greater in number, are less damaging to the structure and are not so objectionable
from aesthetic and other considerations as a fewer number of wide cracks. Aesthetic and other
considerations as a fewer number of wide cracks.

 Classification on cracks in base width

(1) Thin - less then 1mm

(2) Medium - 1mm to 2mm
(3) Wide - more than 2 mm

Cracks are straight, toothed, stepped, map pattern or random

Cracks are horizontal and vertical

Cracks are surface or deep.

 Principal Causes of cracks and Remedial Measures

The important causes responsible for occurrence in building, are as under:

1. Cracks due to moisture changes

2. Cracks due to temperature variation
3. Cracks due to elastic deformation and creep
4. Cracks due to effect of chemical reaction
5. Cracks due to movements of ground
6. Cracks due to vegetation

The various causes of formation of cracks and measures adopted them are described below
1. Cracks due to moisture changes :
We know that most of the building materials like; bricks, concrete, mortar, stone,
timber etc have pores. Hence these materials increase in size or expand on absorbing moisture and
decrease in size or shrink on drying.

Shrinkage on account of drying out of moisture contents in building materials is one of

the main factors responsible for cracks in the buildings.
Shrinkage cracks normally appear in weak –sections of the masonry such as door
window openings, staircase walls etc. the cracks are uniformly and regularly placed. The formation of
shrinkage cracks in masonry depends upon the type of materials used in the masonry and strength of
the mortar. Compared to clay bricks, concrete blocks and sand lime bricks are more prone to shrinkage
cracks.
Similarly in case of concrete the drying shrinkage results in decreasing the volume and
if the component is restrained against free measurement stresses are developed which may causes
cracks. Cracks due to moisture or changes can be prevented by adopting by following measure

2. Cracks due to temperature:

We know that almost all materials expand heating and contract on cooling. In some
materials the changes in temperature can cause appreciable change in their size. The extent of
movement due to temperature variation in the building components depends upon a number of factors
such as: dimensions of the materials, its coefficient of expansion, the magnitude of variation in the
internal walls and intermediate floors is very small and do not result in cracks. On the other hand the
effect is appreciable on the external walls and roof which is very directly exposed to sun.
A typical case of occurrence of cracks due to temperature variation is that of roof slab
supported on load bearing walls. The roof slab supported on subjected to alternate expansion and
contraction. This movement of the slab may result in pushing out top course of masonry and develop
horizontal cracks in the supporting walls.
This type of cracks can be prevented by providing adequate insulation or terracing
treatment over roof slab and by introducing slip joint between the slab and the supporting walls as
shown in fig.
Chances of cracking due to temperature variation can be minimized by introducing
expansion, contraction and slip joints at appropriate locations. In case of structures like, shell roof
where it is difficult to provide joints, it is necessary to take the effect of thermal stresses in the
structural design of roof to prevent cracks. Details regarding provision of joints in structures.

3. Cracks due to elastic deformation

The different components of the building viz. wall, column, beam, and slab are undergoing
elastic deformation when loaded. The magnitude of such deformation depends upon the type of
building materials used in the construction viz. brick, cement concrete blocks etc. as well as the spans
of the structural members and the loading conditions .it is therefore obvious that in case the brick
panel walls in a frame structure are constructed too tightly between column and beams, it is likely to
be subjected to cracks due to shortening and beams of the RCC frame on account of shrinkage and
creep. The situations where cracks due to elastic deformation creep arise are summarized below:
1. Cracks in masonry when a wall in unevenly loaded. Fig. shows elevation of a load bearing
wall. The building has large openings in the external walls. It can be seen that portion of wall
immediately below the sill is subjected to much lesser loads as compared to the portion of the wall on
either side of the window opening. This results in uneven loading if the wall which may cause vertical
cracks as shown in the figure.
This can be prevented by so selecting the size and location of openings as to avoid as to unequal
loading conditions in the same wall.

2. Cracks in masonry due to deflection of RCC beam or slab. It is observed that when a beam or
slabs having large spans undergo and there is insufficient downward loads above the supporting wall,
horizontal cracks appear in the masonry at supports. Cracks of this type can be prevented by designing
the slab or beam in such a way that the depth provided is adequate to restrict the deflection within
permissible limits.

3. Cracks at junction of brick masonry with RCC columns in load bearing walls. Many a times it
becomes necessary to in traduce RCC columns in a load bearing wall, for supporting heavier loads.
With the passage of time, RCC columns undergo some shortening due to elastic deformation and creep
resulting in vertical cracks appearing at the junction of column with masonry.

This type of cracks can be prevented by ensuring adequate curing of the RCC columns and
providing air gap between the masonry and the column. Besides this a groove in the plaster at the
joints between column and masonry also helps in restricting crack within the groove.
4. Cracks due to effect chemical reaction
The carbon dioxide present in the air reacts with cement based products resulting in
appreciable increase in volume of these materials which ultimately leads to cracking. In case of RCC
work, the chemical reaction due to carbonation can lead to spelling of concrete which may Expose the
reinforcements. The reinforcement may in course of time be subjected to corrosion due to rusting
which may finally endanger the stability of the structure. Similarly soluble sulphates which may be
present in soil, ground water or clay bricks, react chemically with Portland cement in the presence of
water and causes the concrete or mortar joint or brick it self to expand considerably leading to
formation of cracks. The sulphate attack besides cracking can also result in weakling of the building
components which may affect the stability of the structure. The crack due to chemical reaction can be
prevented by adopting the following measures:
1. Use dense and good quality concrete and provide increased cover for RCC members to prevent
carbonation.
2. For preventing sulphate attack, avoid use of bricks containing high percentage of soluble salts.
In case the sub soil contains high proportion of sulphate salts, use rich cement mortar of concrete or
sulphate resist n the presence of moisture, ant cement in executing the work.
3. Since sulphate attack can take place only in the presence of moisture, provide adequate damp
proofing treatment to ensure dry conditions.

5. Cracks due to movement of ground:

In case where a building is erected on or near an area is likely to be subjected to mining
substance, landslides, earthquake etc. the movement of ground due to these factors can causes cracks in
building.
 Similarly building constructed on made up ground, or on shrinkage soils are liable to cracks due to
volumetric change in moisture contents. Unless special measures are taken, buildjings in such soils are

liable to crack.

If the nature of soil and loading conditions are uniform over the entire site, the
distribution of pressure can be uniform. In case however some portion of the building is higher, the soil
below the higher portion will be subjected to greater pressure than the soil below the lower portion.
Similarly there may be a situation when a portion of the building rests on rock and a portion rests on
soil. In both the situations, the building is liable to the soil below the higher portion will be subjected to
greater pressure than the soil below the lower portion. Similarly there may be a situation when a portion
of the building rests on rock and a portion rests on soil. In both the situations, the building is liable to
crack due to unequal settlement.

‘’ The cracks can also occur if the loading on the building is such that the bearing pressure on the
soil exceeds the safe bearing capacity.’’

This type of cracks can be prevented by adopting following measures:

1. In cracks of shrinkage soils, adopting under reamed pile foundation.

2. The structural design of the foundation should be carried out in such a manner as to achieve
uniform distribution of pressure on the ground to avoid differential settlement.
3. The foundation should be so proportioned that the safe bearing capacity soil is not exceeded.

6. Cracks due to vegetation:

Cracksman a times occur due to the existence of fast growing trees in the
vicinity of the building .The roots of a tree in the vicinity of the building on all sides to the
extent to the height of the tree above ground. The effect of the existence of height near the
building becomes more damaging when the soil at site of shrinkage type. The roots of the
growing tree causes drying and shrinkage of the sub soil and this can result in unequal
settlement of the foundation leading to cracks.
  REPAIRS OF CRACKED CONCRETE
Mainly two step are used in repair of cracked concrete are the follows
• Preparation of surface
• Application of repair materials

Preparation of surface
The follows procedure are used for preparation of surface by concert repair

i.Cracks loosed concrete mortar and sand are removed from surface
ii.To prepared shape edge and under cots
iii.To prepare the cavity for required ship
iv.Removed dust and mud crack b wire bracing
v.To clean the surface by chemical when oil and grebes are available in surface
 Application of repair materials
A various procedure of application of repair material by surface is the follows

i. Dry packing
ii. Concrete replacement
iii. Mortar replacement
iv. Grouting
v. Guniting or shortcreting
(1) Dry packing
In this method are used for portion are compact for less water mortar .a W\C ratio of mortar
will be less so strength and durable repair are procedure a cement : sand proportion are 1:2:5 to 1:3 for
mortar

When repaired portion are more deep so, mortar are coated in 10mm thick layer

(2) Concrete replacement

This method are used for maintenance in big and deep portion and mostly
used for wall pear parapet curb canal, lining etc.

In R.C.C work a loose concrete are removed and protective coating are steel
bar and fill the ordinary greed concrete in portion.

(3) Mortar replacement

A portion are more deep in dry packing and less deep in concrete replacement
so, it’s portion are fill in mortar replacement method.

A mortar fill up by pressure gun so, cement sand content are 1:4 and 4 mortar
fill up hand so content are some for structure concrete content.

(4) Grouting

A cracks are more depend thick so, cracks are fill up cement grout a cement
grout are (cement + sand) or (cement +sand +water) a w\c ratio of cement grout are
minimum so, given for more strength .This method are mainly used for concrete gravity
dam and concrete wall.

(5) Guniting or shortcreting

Gunite is defined as mortar consisting of cement and damp sand conveyer

from the delivery equipment known as “gun” through a and pneumatic force through a
nozzle There are new editing out guniting the small coarse aggregate are used
informance mortar they are known as shotcreting .
Main two type of Guniting are follows

a) DRY MIX PROCESS

b) WET MIX PROCESS
THANK YOU