CRACKS IN BUILDINGS.

AMAN DUBEY
1 8 G S O A 1 0 11 0 0 2
SEMESTER-VIth
GALGOTIAS UNIVERSITY(SOA)
INTRODUCTION.
• A crack is a complete or incomplete separation of concrete into two or more parts, produced by breaking or
fracturing.

• An Engineer should have a sound knowledge of all the facts of concrete technology i.e. of the behaviour of
construction material , construction techniques, and types of crack likely to occur, their causes and
respective remedies.

• Treatment of cracks involves detection, diagnosis and remedy.

 CAUSES.
Differential thermal expansion and
contraction and differential drying
shrinkage of R.C.C slab and brick
walls.

Due to thermal expansion and

arching of slab , if it is not free to
expand. This situation occurs in
case of non-projecting slab.

Cracks due to faulty workmanship

and poor construction practise.

Cracks due to settlement.

 REMEDIES.
Provide a groove in plaster at the junction of parapet wall and
slab so that crack forms in a groove and doesn’t look unsightly.

Put chicken wire mesh in the plaster at the junction of parapet

wall and slab.

Provide adequate insulation cover over roof slab so that its

thermal movements are minimized.

Make parapet wall a little inside(say 2”) of the edge of a slab so

that crack won’t be visible.
 TYPES OF CRACKS.
• STRUCTURAL CRACKS-

i. Arise due to various reasons such as incorrect design, overloading of the structural components,
overloading of the soil on which the building is constructed or other similar factors.

• NON-STRUCTURAL CRACKS-

i. Arise due to internal forces developed in the buildings on account of change in the size of buildings
components, due to moisture variation, temperature variations, the effect of gases, liquid and solids on
the building components.
 INVESTIGATION RELATING TO CRACKS.

The following information helps in diagnosing the cracks:

1. Whether the crack is old or new.

2. Pattern of the cracks.

3. Soil condition, type of foundation used, and the movement of ground if any.

4. Observations on the similar structures in the same locality.

5. Climatic condition during which the structure has been constructed.

 CRACKS DUE TO STRUCTURAL
DEFICIENCY.
 Due to design deficiency.

• Cracks due to shear, flexural and torsional steel deficiency.

• Improper anchorage.

• Cracks due to overloading of members.

o Figure shows a long crack in new wallboard with a width of about an inch at the
corner of the door frame.
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

• Adequate insulating or terracing treatment over roof slab and by introducing joint
between the slab and the supporting wall.

• Painting top of roof with reflective finish such as white wash can also minimize cracks.

• Chances of cracking due to temperature variation can be minimized by introducing

expansion, contraction joints at appropriate locations.
 CRACKS DUE TO FAULTY WORKMANSHIP
AND POOR CONSTRUCTION PRACTISE.
Every building process includes a sequence of necessary step-by-step operation from conceptual plan to
finished structure improper column from placement.

Causes-

• Improper bar detailing.

• Premature removal of forms.

• Cold joints.

• Segregation.

• Plastic shrinkage cracking.

• Improper reinforcing steel placement.

 PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

• By providing proper water cement ratio.

• Proper curing.

• Proper support for forms.

• Following proper design codes and recommendations.

 CRACKS DUE TO SETTLEMENT.

• Uneven settlement can be a major structural problem in small residential building.

• Loss of moisture.

• Soil consolidation under footing.

• Water table level.

• Occurs in early life of a building.

CONCLUSION.

As far as possible cracks should not develop in building and care should be
taken that for important and multi-storied buildings, designs, and execution
of building, cracks should not develop in any circumstances as cracks affects
aesthetics of buildings and cracks may cause leaking problem in building.
THANK YOU!!