ANJUMAN POLYTECHNIC

SADAR, NAGPUR
2021-22

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTEMENT

SUBJECT: MAINTANANCE AND REPAIR OF STRUCTURE
TOPIC: COLLECT THE INFORMATION OF VARIOUS
MATERIALS USED IN ACTUAL PRACTICE FOR REPAIRS OF
CRACKS.
YEAR: 3RD SEMESTER: 6TH

GUIDED BY: SUBMITTED BY :

MRS. SUREKHA MAM ADNAN SHEIKH (04)
 *INTRODUCTION ABOUT CRACKS IN
STRUCTURES*

Cracks result in applied forces greater than those which the building or its part can
withstand. These forces may have emerged externally to the building or internally within
the building or have been developed in the materials of the building as a result of
Chemical changes. There may be a single force or a combination of forces having a
single cause or several causes.

This is a residential building at San Francisco. Major cracks have developed on the
external facade of the building. The cracks running across the entire facade of the
building are diagonally directed and diagonal cracks are generally structural cracks. They
occur due to structural problems in the buildings. Structural cracks could be due to major
or minor problem in the structural design. Intensity of structural problem is determined
on the basis of the intensity of cracks developed.

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Most cracks occur due to drying of construction water.

 These are generally superficial

 Do not affect the serviceability of the building
 Can be easily repaired
If cracks are more significant, repair work may be repeated periodically.

Structural significance of the cracks tends to be exaggerated by a natural reaction of the

owner.

Many cracks do not have any effect on the stability of structure, because of “high factor
of safety”.
Cracking has adverse effects on appearance. Sometimes several cracks go unnoticed for
years which affect the performance of the structure.

Rain penetration through a crack depends on:

1. Construction of a building
2. Degree of exposure
3. Capillarity of fine cracks
4. Wind driven rain penetration through wide cracks

Major Causes of Cracks occurring in Buildings

1. Movements of the ground
2. Overloading
3. Effect of gases, liquids and solids
4. Effect of changes in the temperature
5. General (e.g., Vibrations)

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 *VARIOUS MATERIALS FOR REPARING A
CRACKS*

1. Non-Shrink Grouts

This is a very suitable material for filling up cracks in masonry structures. Their
speciality is that their volume does not decrease upon setting. These days, ready-
mix non-shrink grouts are available in the market which comprise non-shrink
cement, special sands and polymer. The role of the polymer in such mixes is to
improve the adhesive and tensile strength of the grout.

2. Shotcrete

Shotcrete is a type of mortar or concrete mix with coarse aggregates which are not
more than 10 mm in size. This type of cement mortar or concrete is sprayed
directly to a concrete or masonry surface using compressed air. This mix is sprayed

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at high velocity through a jet nozzle which helps the shotcrete to produce a
compact homogeneous mass on the surface. The process of manufacturing
shotcrete is called ‘shotcreting’ and there are two techniques of shotcreting.
 Wet mix process
 Dry mix process

The wet mix process involves water being added to all the ingredients of the mix
before it enters the delivery hose. Whereas, the dry mix process requires the damp
mixture of cement and aggregates to be passed through the delivery hose to the
nozzle and water is added to the mix in the nozzle. Dry mix shotcrete is most
applicable in the repair of concrete elements. In such applications, an appropriate
epoxy adhesive is also used..
assure proper strength between the surface of the damaged structure and the
shotcrete mix. Apart from that, the use of shear keys can further ensure proper
shear transfer between the existing layer and the new layer of concrete.

3. Epoxy Resins

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Epoxy resins are chemical mixtures with high tensile strength which serve as
exceptional adhesive agents. Their composition can be changed as per requirement
and the ingredients required to produce a suitable epoxy resin are mixed just before
they are applied. The viscosity of some epoxy resins is so low that they can be
injected into fine cracks as well. On the other hand, epoxy resins which have high
viscosity are generally used for surface coating purposes and for filling large
cracks or holes. These binding agents can also be effectively used in applications
that require attaching steel plates to damaged structures.

4. Epoxy Mortar

This special material is formed by mixing either high or low viscosity epoxy resins
with fine aggregates/sand and is used to fill voids or gaps which are very big in
size. The compressive strength and tensile strength of epoxy mortar are higher
whereas its modulus of elasticity is lower than that of cement concrete. Sand is
added while producing epoxy mortar to enhance its modulus of elasticity.

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5. Quick-Setting Cement Mortar

This is basically non-hydrous magnesium phosphate cement comprising a liquid and a

dry powder. Quick-setting cement mortar is formed by mixing the liquid with the dry
powder just like cement and aggregates are mixed to produce cement-concrete.

6. Mechanical Anchors

These are anchors or fasteners which provide anchorage to concrete or masonry

structures by using wedging action. Mechanical anchors are used to provide to
provide sufficient strength to a structure and some anchors provide shear as well as
tension resistance. For applications where mechanical anchors cannot be used, the
use of chemical anchors which are attached to drilled pilot holes using polymer
adhesives has been advised.

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7. Ferrocement - Fibre Concrete

This building material is applied as a comparatively thin layer of cement mortar

over reinforcing materials such as mild steel rods having a diameter of 4.5 to 6 mm
spaced at an interval of 75 mm from each other both ways and covered with 19
gauge, 11 mm opening square mesh on each side. The building technique used
with this material is simple and can be executed by masons and unskilled labour. In
the case of retrofitting applications, ferrocement plates are positioned at an
appropriate location on the surface of the masonry structure and directly attached
to it. The thickness of the plates can vary in the range of 30 to 180 mm.

8. Fibre Reinforced Plastics or Polymers (FRP)

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This recently developed material can be used for the strengthening of reinforced
concrete (RC) or masonry structures or as a replacement of steel plate bonding.
The strength to weight ratio as well as corrosion resistance of FRP is high. Further,
the weight of an FRP plate can be as low as 20% that of a steel plate while it can
be 2 to 10 times stronger than an FRP plate. These plates need to be attached to the
affected structure using epoxy mortar and it is advised to refer to the
manufacturer’s specifications and conduct proper tests before finalizing the design
of any retrofitting project.

..

CONCLUSIONS

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Cracks might also occur due to several reasons as discussed above. The formation of
cracks can't be completely removed nor absolutely stopped but several measures can be
undertaken to save you their results. Several prevention factors should be looked after at
some point of real construction system itself. Lack of cautious observations and lack of
attentiveness can result in a cause for deterioration within the constructing in the lengthy-
run, which in the long run ends in the failure of shape. Through this studies work we
came to a end that it's miles not possible to find approaches against cracking but tries can
be made to reduce the formation and development of cracks in the structure. By looking
at numerous cracks and tendency of cracking we also concluded that not all type of
cracks require same degree of attention. Taking into attention proper restore and
renovation, adequate construction materials, right techniques, the ability causes of crack
may be minimized to a huge extent. Out of the several preventive and remedial measures
of cracking discussed above the most appropriate method should be followed for
distinctive kinds of cracks for gaining the handiest and efficient structure as a whole.

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