Crack Mapping

Project Name
NDT and other Health Checking activities
of Niva Ananda Vidyalaya, Bramhapur, Kolkata

Client
Niva Ananda Vidyalaya Trustee,
Battala Bazar, Niva Park Phase 3, Bramhapur,
Kolkata 700096, West Bengal India

Structural Health Checking Agency

Flat 10A, Tower 2, Diamond City West,

18 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Near Behala Bakultala
Kolkata 700061, West Bengal, India
LLP ID: ABZ-8055, MSME ID: UDYAM-WB-18-0036987

July 2023
 Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1
Crack Mapping ........................................................................................................................ 2
Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 2
Visual Inspection ............................................................................................................... 2
Crack Measurement......................................................................................................... 2
Crack Classification .......................................................................................................... 2
Crack Analysis ................................................................................................................... 2
Findings .................................................................................................................................. 3
Crack Types and Locations .............................................................................................. 3
Crack Severity ................................................................................................................... 3
Potential Causes ............................................................................................................... 3
Pictures of Typical Crack Mapping ..................................................................................... 4
Typical Crack Width Measurement Pictures .................................................................... 12
Crack in the Staircase Landings .................................................................................... 12
Hairline Cracks................................................................................................................. 13
Cracks around Door and Window Frames ................................................................... 14
Recommendations............................................................................................................. 15
Non-Structural Crack Maintenance .............................................................................. 15
Structural Assessment...................................................................................................... 15
Remedial Measures ........................................................................................................ 15
Preventive Measures: ...................................................................................................... 15
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 15

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 Crack Mapping

Introduction
The purpose of this report is to present a comprehensive crack mapping assessment
conducted on two four-storied school buildings of Niva Ananda School located at
Battala Bazar, Niva Park Phase 3, Bramhapur, Kolkata, WB 700096.

Figure 1 Location Map with Block A and B Marked

The assessment aimed to identify, evaluate and document any existing cracks in the
building's structure. This report outlines the methodology, findings and
recommendations resulting from the crack mapping analysis.

For ease of understanding the report is presented in two sections. First section is for
Crack Mapping and second section is for Dampness Mapping.

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 Crack Mapping

Crack Mapping
Methodology
The crack mapping assessment followed a systematic procedure involving visual
inspection, data collection and analysis. The following steps were undertaken:

Visual Inspection
A team of qualified professionals examined the interior and exterior surfaces of the
school building, including door and window frames, walls, columns, beams, slabs and
other structural elements.

Visual inspection aimed to identify visible cracks, their locations, orientations, lengths,
widths and any associated distress signs.

Crack Measurement
Cracks were measured using appropriate measuring tools, such as crack gauges,
callipers or rulers. The measurements included crack width, length and direction.

Detailed notes and photographs were taken to document the findings accurately.

Crack Classification
Cracks were classified based on their characteristics, such as width, orientation, and
location. Common classifications include hairline cracks, structural cracks, settlement
cracks, shrinkage cracks and others. This classification aided in understanding the
nature and severity of each crack.

Crack Analysis
The collected data was analysed to determine the potential causes of the cracks.

Factors such as structural movement, foundation settlement, material properties,

design deficiencies, environmental influences and loading conditions were
considered during the analysis.

Preparation of Crack for Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test by removing the plaster,
cleaning the surface and grinding the surface as suggested by the testing agency
and the technicians.

UPV test helped to understand the depth and severity of the cracks which were not
feasible to estimate during visual check.

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 Crack Mapping

Findings
Based on the crack mapping assessment, the following findings were observed:

Crack Types and Locations

The building exhibited various types of cracks, including vertical cracks, diagonal
cracks, horizontal cracks, and localized surface cracks. The cracks were primarily
observed in load-bearing walls, beams, and columns. Common areas prone to
cracking were identified, such as corners, intersections, and areas of high stress
concentration. Cracks are also prominent around most of the Door frames and some
of the Window frames.

Crack Severity
The cracks were classified into different severity levels based on their dimensions and
characteristics. Most cracks were classified as non-structural or minor, with hairline
cracks and small surface cracks being predominant. However, a few cracks showed
signs of structural distress, required further investigation.

Potential Causes
The analysis indicated that the cracks could be attributed to a combination of factors,
including foundation settling, shrinkage due to concrete curing, temperature
fluctuations and construction deficiencies. Environmental factors, such as moisture
ingress or seismic activity, may have contributed to certain cracks.

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 Crack Mapping

Pictures of Typical Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate
Description Measurement
Exterior of Block A Non-structural 3.5 meters
Horizontal Crack cracks between scattered
Concrete Beam
and Brick Wall
junctions

Exterior of Block A Non-structural 2 meters

Horizontal Crack cracks between
Concrete Beam
and Brick Wall
junctions

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Exterior of Block A Non-structural 1.5 meters
Horizontal Crack cracks between
Concrete Beam
and Brick Wall
junctions

Exterior of Block A Non-structural 2.5 meters

Horizontal Crack cracks between
over the Window Concrete Beam
and Brick Wall
junctions

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Exterior of Block B Non-structural 10 meters
between two cracks between
Window throughout Concrete Beam
the lintel and Brick Wall
junctions

Exterior of Block A Non-structural 4.5 meter

towards the cracks between
playground Concrete Beam
and Brick Wall
junctions

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Block A, 4th Floor Non-structural 950 mm
beside Column 4E wide cracks
at half landing of between
the staircase Concrete
Column and
Brick Wall
junctions

Block A, 4th Floor Non-structural 950 mm

beside Column 3E wide cracks
at half landing of between
the staircase Concrete
Column and
Brick Wall
junctions

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Block A, 2nd to 3rd Non-structural 950 mm
Floor, beside Pillars wide cracks
4E at half landing of between
the staircase Concrete
Column and
Brick Wall
junctions

Block A, 2nd to 3rd Non-structural

Floor, beside Pillars wide cracks
3E at half landing of between
the staircase Concrete
Column and
Brick Wall
junctions

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Block A staircase Non-structural 3.2 meters
slab touching wide cracks in
ground floor is Concrete
separated with the Column and
brick wall below Brick Wall
the concrete slab. junctions
Crack is inclined at
30 with horizontal

Block B staircase Non-structural 3.2 meters

slab touching wide cracks in
ground floor is Concrete
separated with the Column and
brick wall below Brick Wall
the concrete slab. junctions
Crack is inclined at
30 with horizontal

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Many hairline Structural crack For one room in
cracks in the roof of in the roof Block B it is
the roof top rooms measured 12
square meters.
Total would be
around 120
square meters
including both
blocks

Cracks on the Non-structural Some areas

Ground Floor floor cracks already sealed.
including some Approximated
area swelled up or length is around
settled down 700 feet.
unevenly

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 Crack Mapping

Picture Sketch Location with Type Approximate

Description Measurement
Straight crack Structural crack 22.0 meters
along East West of less than 0.01
direction at roof of mm at roof
Block B. Some more
hairline cracks are
also visible.

There are several other cracks in different places which are not significant. However those are recorded for repair and rectification.

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 Crack Mapping

Typical Crack Width Measurement Pictures

Crack in the Staircase Landings
Most of the cracks in staircase landings touching the ground floor there are long inclined separation (around 10 feet) of the landing
slab and the brick wall below it in both the blocks. Also at all the half-landings brick walls in the outer side are separated from the
columns. The crack widths are around 3.0 mm.

Figure 2 Stair Landing Crack Measurements (2.9 mm and 3.2 mm)

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 Crack Mapping

Hairline Cracks
Most of the outside and inside cracks fall in this category having crack width around
1.0 mm.

Figure 3 Hairline Crack Measurements (1.1 mm)

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 Crack Mapping

Cracks around Door and Window Frames

Around almost all doors and few windows we noticed the crack width is around 2.0 mm.

Figure 4 Crack Width Measurement around a Door Frame (1.9 mm)

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 Crack Mapping

Recommendations
Based on the findings of the crack mapping assessment, the following
recommendations are proposed:

Non-Structural Crack Maintenance

Minor cracks, such as hairline cracks and small surface cracks, should be monitored
periodically and repaired using appropriate sealants or epoxy injections to prevent
water penetration and further deterioration.

Structural Assessment
Cracks exhibiting signs of structural distress should be further evaluated by structural
engineers. Detailed investigations, including non-destructive testing methods, may be
necessary to assess the integrity and load-bearing capacity of affected elements.

Remedial Measures
If significant structural issues are identified, appropriate remedial measures should be
undertaken to restore the building's structural stability. This may involve reinforcement
retrofitting, structural strengthening, or localized repairs, depending on the severity of
the cracks and the underlying causes.

Preventive Measures:
To mitigate future cracking issues, the following preventive measures are
recommended: improving construction practices, ensuring proper curing of concrete,
incorporating expansion joints, optimizing reinforcement detailing, addressing design
deficiencies, and implementing regular building maintenance programs.

Conclusion
The crack mapping assessment revealed the presence of various cracks, both non-
structural and potentially structural in nature. It is crucial to address these cracks
promptly to maintain the building's safety and longevity.

The recommendations provided in this report should serve as a guide for further
investigation, remedial actions and preventive measures to ensure the structural
integrity and safety of the school building.

Some typical cracks may be referred for Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test.

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