BUILDING CRACKS, CAUSES,

EFFECTS AND PREVENTIONS

GENERAL SUPERVISION SEMINAR , 2018

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Outline
• What are Cracks?
• What are the type of Cracks?
• Causes of Cracks
• Effects of Cracks
• Preventions/Remedies to Cracks

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What is a Crack?
• A crack is a complete or incomplete separation of
masonry/concrete into two or more parts ,produced by
breaking or fracture.

• Masonry/Concrete being a material having very low tensile

strength, readily cracks when such tensile stress exceeds the
tensile strength in a structure.

• Construction professionals should have sound knowledge of

all the facts of Masonry/Concrete technology.

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What are the types of Cracks?
• Cracks may be divided into two (2) categories:
a) Structural b) Non-Structural

1. Structural cracks are usually caused by the following:

 incorrect design or overloading
 faulty construction
 ground movement (landslide, earthquake etc.)
 Settlement of foundation

2. Non – Structural cracks are mainly due to the due to internal forces
developed in the buildings materials due to
 moisture variations
 temperature variations
 effects of gases, liquid and solid on the building parts.

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 Fig.1 Structural crack

Fig. 2 Non – Structural crack

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What are the types of Cracks?
• Cracks may also be classified by :
a) Width b) Pattern

1. Crack width ( size, number & location):

 Thin < 1 mm
 Medium 1 – 2mm
 Wide > 2 mm

2. Pattern
 Vertical, horizontal & diagonal
 Straight, toothed, stepped, random
 Uniform, varied

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Crack Pattern & Width

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Fig.3 Crack Patterns
What are the types of Cracks?

Characteristics of Cracks
1. Structural cracks :
 Distinct and continuous
 Usually Diagonal

2. Non – Structural cracks

 Usually Short
 Irregular

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Fig. 4 Structural ( Distinct & continuous, diagonal )

Fig. 5 Non – Structural ( Short & Irregular )

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Causes of Cracks
1. Improper / Poor Quality Material usage
a) masonry units( blocks, bricks, stones)
b) Mortar (Cement, sand, water)
c) Concrete ( Cement, aggregates, water)
d) Rebars

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Causes of Cracks
2. Bad Workmanship and Poor construction practice
a) No or poor bonding in masonry
b) Foundation on variable ground
c) Weak Concrete Mix
d) Poor detailing and rebar placement
e) Poor Curing
f) Bad formwork
g) Improper chiseling by Masons, Plumbers, Electricians etc.
h) Lack of appropriate Joints

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Causes of Cracks
3. General causes
a) Site location / ground conditions
b) Temperature and Shrinkage effect
c) Ground Settlement
d) earthquakes
e) Overloading
f) Thermal movement

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Effects of Cracks
1. Structural cracks may collapse buildings
2. Affects the aesthetics ( beauty) of buildings
3. Unhygienic conditions
4. Increase maintenance cost

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 Investigation/Diagnosis of cracks
• Whether the crack is old or new
• Pattern of the Cracks / width
• Soil Condition, type of foundation and movement on
the ground if any
• Observations of similar structures in the same
locality
• Study of specification, method of construction, used
text result at site if any
• Climatic Conditions during which the structure was
constructed

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 Preventions/Remedies to cracks
• Preventive measures
1. Use of good quality materials
2. Good workmanship & construction practice
3. Good Supervision

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• Remedial Measures
1. Epoxy injection
2. Stitching / Meshing Cracks
3. Grouting Cracks

Stitching of cracks Meshing

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Underpinning epoxy Injection

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THANK YOU

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