i) Concrete failure of Figure 2: Honeycomb

1) The human factors causing Figure 2 concrete failures

may be poor construction practice that leads to
honeycomb.
2) Honeycombs are hollow spaces and cavities left in
concrete mass on the surface or inside the mass where
concrete could not reach. These look like honey bees
nest. Improper vibration and workability of concrete
are main causes of honeycombs in concrete.
3) Honeycombs which are on sides are visible to naked
eyes and can be detected easily as soon shuttering is
removed.
4) Honeycombing is always an aesthetic problem, and
depending on the depth and extent may reduce both
the durability performance and the structural strength
of the member.
i) Concrete failure of Figure 3: Grout leakage

1) The human factors causing Figure 3 concrete

failures is also poor construction practice such as
faulty formwork construction that leads to grout
leakage.
2) The concrete cracks due to movement of forms
during setting of concrete as showed in the
diagram on the left corner.
3) All these malpractices can lead to a significant
departure from the specification and hence
considerable reduction in durability of an
otherwise well-designed structure.
i) Concrete failure of Figure 4: Segregation
1) Segregation of concrete is the separation of
cement paste and aggregates of concrete
from each other during handling and
placement. Segregation also occurs due to
over-vibration or compaction of concrete, in
which cement paste comes to the top and
aggregates settles at the bottom.
2) The main causes of segregation are due to
Use of high water-cement ratio in concrete,
Excessive vibration of concrete.
3) Segregation of concrete affects strength and
durability in structures. In a good concrete,
all concrete aggregates are evenly coated
with sand and cement paste and forms a
homogeneous mass.