9.

Cracks in buildings
At the sight of a crack in concrete, most of people panic .Most cracks occur as a result of shrinkage of concrete. Shrinkage is simply a reduction in the volume of concrete as it hardens. If this reduction in volume were unrestricted, then a crack would not occur. However, in reality, ground friction and a number of things such as structural connections inhibit free shrinkage and thus cause cracks. A 100-foot-long regular-weight concrete slab normally would shrink by about 3/4 inch. In other words, one should expect cracks totaling in widths up to 3/4 inch in every 100 feet of concrete. Lightweight concrete shrinks more. It is important to note that concrete does crack and that this is normal. 9.1 Non-structural Cracks Not every crack threatens the structural safety of a building. In fact, in many instances, cracks are merely cosmetic in nature. These cracks are typically seen in flat work such as driveways, patio, walkways and curbs. Typical causes of these cracks are 1. Poor workmanship 2. Inappropriate joint detailing 3. Higher shrinkage of concrete. Sometimes such nonstructural cracks in driveways and sidewalks become more than just an eyesore. Tree roots and impact from vehicles can cause raveling as well as vertical and horizontal offsets at the cracks. When these offsets become trip hazards, repairs are necessary. 4. Moisture changes 5. Thermal movement 6. Elastic deformation 7. Creep 8. Chemical reaction 9. Foundation movement and settlement of soil 10. Vegetation 9.2 Structural Cracks A majority of structural cracks occur as a result of the following conditions: 1. Design deficiency 2. Construction deficiency

3. Settlement or heaving of soil 4. Reinforcement corrosion 5. Sometimes structural cracks manifest themselves with some side effects. Doors and windows do not open and close easily. Floors feel uneven. Vinyl flooring tears as a result of crack movement. Stucco (plaster applied while soft to cover exterior walls or surface) begins to show new cracks and even interior corners may develop new cracks. Longitudinal cracks can develop along the length of the foundation as a result of corrosion of reinforcement. 9.3 Differences between structural and non-structural cracks 1. Structural crack refers to crack that developed at the core or frame that form the foundation of the building itself. Normally, any types of crack occurred in this case is very dangerous and must be dealt immediately. 2. Non-structural as the name itself implies, refers to any parts of the building that doesnt belong to the core or frame of the building, for example wall (except load bearing wall), driveway, patio, and walkway. Cracks occurred in this case are not that threatening, if compared to structural crack. Still, this doesnt mean that it wont harm the occupants living inside, as no matter what structure if left not properly cared will cause catastrophe eventually 9.4 Horizontal cracking It is typically caused by lateral pressures on the structure which exceed the flexural capacity of the Structure. 9.5 Plastic shrinkage crack When water evaporates from the surface of freshly placed concrete faster than it is replaced by bleed water, the surface concrete shrinks. Due to the restraint provided by the concrete below the drying surface layer, tensile stresses develop in the weak, stiffening plastic concrete, resulting in shallow cracks of varying depth. These cracks are often fairly wide at the surface. 9.6 Drying shrinkage crack Because almost all concrete is mixed with more water than is needed to hydrate the cement, much of the remaining water evaporates, causing the concrete to shrink. Restraint to shrinkage, provided by the sub grade,

reinforcement, or another part of the structure, causes tensile stresses to develop in the hardened concrete. Restraint to drying shrinkage is the most common cause of concrete cracking. In many applications, drying shrinkage cracking is inevitable. Therefore, contraction (control) joints are placed in concrete to predetermine the location of drying shrinkage cracks. 9.7 Thermal crack Temperature rise (especially significant in mass concrete) results from the Heat of hydration of cementitious materials. As the interior concrete increases in temperature and expands, the surface concrete may be cooling and contracting. This causes tensile stresses that may result in thermal cracks at the surface if the temperature differential between the surface and center is too great. The width and depth of cracks depends upon the temperature differential, physical properties of the concrete, and the reinforcing steel. 9.8 PREVENT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE! 9.8.1 Optimum water ratio Shrinkage is a primary cause of cracking. As concrete hardens and dries it shrinks. This is due to the loss, thru evaporation, of excess mixing water. Thus, in most cases, the wetter the concrete mix, the greater the shrinkage will be. Concrete slabs can shrink as much as 1/2 inch per 100 feet. The actual amount is 1/16th inch for every ten feet of horizontal distance. This shrinkage causes forces in the concrete which literally pull the slab apart. Cracks are the end result of these forces. Concrete does not require much water to achieve maximum strength. In fact, a wide majority of concrete used in residential work, in many cases, has too much water. This water is added to make the concrete easier to install. It is a labor saving device. This excess water not only promotes cracking, but it can severely weaken the concrete. 9.8.2 Curing method Rapid drying of the slab will significantly increase the possibility of cracking. The chemical reaction which causes concrete to go from the liquid or plastic state to a solid state requires water. This chemical reaction, or hydration, continues to occur for days and weeks after concrete was poured. Engineers

must make sure that the necessary water is available for this reaction by adequately curing the slab. The use of liquid curing compounds, covering the slab with plastic, wet burlap, and other methods can be used to cure concrete. 9.8.3 Proper usage of material Many people had wondered why ancient structures are so strong and still standing till now. Engineers had found that these buildings were overdesigned or in other words, maximum usage of construction material. Lets take an example of a driveway concrete slab. A 5-inch thick slab is definitely better in sustaining heavy vehicles than a 4-inch thick slab which is more likely to crack under loading. Some contractors might suggest that 4-inch is just enough when cost comes into consideration but a 5-inch thick is even safer in reality. Thicker concrete is a good idea for better load bearing structure Shrinkage in plastering can be reduced by ensuring proper adhesion. The plastered should not be stronger than the back ground. Shrinkage cracks in masonry can be minimized by avoiding use of rich cement mortar and by delaying plastering till masonry has dried after proper curing and has undergone most of its initial shrinkage. In concrete basement walls, some cracking is normal. Most builders or thirdparty providers offer limited warranties for basements. A typical warranty will require repair only when cracks leak or exceed the following:

Crack Width

Vertical Displacement

Basement Walls ............................." (3mm)................N/A Basement Floors ............................3/16" (12mm).............." (12mm) Garage Slabs ................................." (12mm)..............." (12mm)

Figure 9.1 a Shear Cracks

Figure 9.1 b Torsion Cracks

Figure 9.2 a Bond cracks

Figure 9.2 b Shrinkage Cracks

Figure 9.3 a Sliding cracks

Figure 9.3 b Sliding cracks

Figure 9.4 Cracking in columns

Figure 9.5 Cracks in columns

Figure 9.6 Restrenthening of Canopy Slab

9.8.4 Some Measures for controlling shrinkage 9.8.4.1 Initial Expansion

Figure 9.7 Cracking due to Expansion of Brickwork

9.8.4.2 Thermal Movement

Figure 9.8 Cracking in Top Most storey of a Load Bearing Structure

Figure 9.9 Horizontal crack at the base of brick masonry parapet (or Masonrycum-Iron Railing) supported on a Projecting RCC slab
9.8.4.3 Elastic Deformation

Figure 9.10 Diagonal Cracks in Cross Walls of Multi-Storied Load Bearing Structures

Figure 9.11 Horizontal Cracks in a Wall at Supports due to Excessive Deflection of a Slab of Large Span
9.8.5 General measures for avoidance reduction of cracks due to elastic strain, creep and shrinkage Water cement ratio is to be controlled. Reasonable pace of construction adopted. Brick work over load bearing RCC members should be done after removal of shutting giving a time gap. Brick walls between columns should be deferred as much as possible. Plastering of areas having RCC and brick members should be done after sufficient time gap say one month or suitable groves provided in junction. Shutting should be allowed stay for a larger period say 30 days or so for cantilevers which are bound to defect appreciably. 9.8.5.1 Movement due to chemical reaction Certain chemical reaction in building materials result is appreciable change in volume of resulting products and internal stresses are set up which may result in outward thrust and formation of cracks. Soluble sulphate reacts with tricalcuium aluminate in cement and hydraulic lime and form products which occupy larger volume and ends in developing cracks. An example of cracking of a floor due to coming in contact of the sub

base made of brick khoa with heavy sulphate content and water can be seen in fig

Figure 9.12 Cracking and Upheaving of a Tile Floor due to Sulphur Action in Base Concrete
9.8.5.2 Prevention If sulphate content in soil is more that 0.2 % or in ground water more than 300 ppm use rich mix of concrete ant mortar has to be adopted. Avoid bricks containing too much soluble sulphates (more than 5 %) and use rich mortar in such cases. Use expansion and control joint at closure intervals 9.8.5.3 Corrosion of Reinforcement Corroded reinforcement expands and cracks the concrete cover. To avoid this phenomenon rich mix of concrete using proper quality of water and adequate cover should adopted. 9.8.5.4 Foundation movement and settlement of soil

Figure 9.13 Diagramatic Sketch of Thermo-Osmotic Heaving of Buildings on Desiccated Clay Soils
9.8.5.5 Cracking due to vegetation Large trees growing in the vicinity of buildings cause damage in all type of soil conditions. If the soil is shrinkable clay cracking is severe

Figure 9.14 Trees Growing close to a building on shrinkable soil may cause cracks in the walls
9.8.6 Repair The repair for cracks may be undertaken after ascertaining the reasons for the appearance of the crack. A few basic principles if followed will be more effective 1. Rendering of minor crack less that 1m wide may be done after observing the crack for some time and then sealing it with weak mortar of cement, lime and sand. 2. 3. Cracks where width change with season should be filled up with elastic fillers Where sheer crack are observed shear keys made of RCC concrete with at least like silicon or polyurethane compound. 1.5 percent steel reinforcemeat may be provided at 1 to 1.5m intervals. 4. If cracks are due to movement of soil in black cotton once, prevention of moisture penetration in the surrounding areas has to be ensured by providing a waterproof blanket around the plinth. The masonry wall below ground level should also be separated from the adjoining soil by replacing the existing soil with coarse grain material.