Cracks in Buildings
Cracks result in applied forces greater than those which the building or its part can withstand. These
forces may have emerged externally to the building or internally within the building or have been
developed in the materials of the building as a result of Chemical changes. There may be a single force
or a combination of forces having a single cause or several causes.
Building at San Francisco
This is a residential building at San Francisco. Major cracks have developed on the external facade of
the building. The cracks running across the entire facade of the building are diagonally directed and
diagonal cracks are generally structural cracks. They occur due to structural problems in the buildings.
Structural cracks could be due to major or minor problem in the structural design. Intensity of
structural problem is determined on the basis of the intensity of cracks developed.
Most cracks occur due to drying of construction water.
• These are generally superficial
• Do not affect the serviceability of the building
• Can be easily repaired
If cracks are more significant, repair work may be repeated periodically.
Structural significance of the cracks tends to be exaggerated by a natural reaction of the owner.
Many cracks do not have any effect on the stability of structure, because of “high factor of safety”.
Cracking has adverse effects on appearance. Sometimes several cracks go unnoticed for years which
affect the performance of the structure.
Rain penetration through a crack depends on:
1. Construction of a building
2. Degree of exposure
3. Capillarity of fine cracks
4. Wind driven rain penetration through wide cracks
Major Causes of Cracks occurring in Buildings
1. Movements of the ground
2. Overloading
3. Effect of gases, liquids and solids
4. Effect of changes in the temperature
5. General (e.g., Vibrations)
In our next article, we will discuss in detail the major causes of cracks in Buildings.
Causes of cracks in Buildings
In the previous article, we discussed the occurrence of cracks in buildings due to climatic factors and
cracks occurred due to problem at the time of construction of the building. These fall under the
category of Minor causes of Cracks in Buildings.
Now we will go ahead with our discussion on “Major causes of Cracks in a Building”.
Major causes of cracks in a building
1. Movements of the ground
2. Over loading
3. Effect of gases, liquids and solids
4. Effect of changes of temperature
5. General causes such as vibrations etc
Unrestrained Movement of Building Materials
Movements of the ground
Mining subsidence, land slips, earthquakes, moisture changes due to clay shrinkable soils (for
example, Black cotton soil).
Cracks occur because a part of the building is displaced from the rest without any change in the actual
size of the material.
Overloading
• Overloading of the ground
• Overloading of the building itself
• Overloading of the building parts result in cracks
For example; Cracks under a floor due to overloading of slab.
Overloading forced may be due to
1. External (excessive wind/snow loads)
2. Internal (from heavy machinery etc.)
Effect of Gases, Liquids and Solids
Gases
• Only gas likely to produce cracks is carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Causes carbonation of porous cement products
• Leads into an overall shrinkage showing crazing cracks
Liquids
• Water is the most commonly used liquid when not taken care of can prove hazardous for the
structures.
• Construction water i.e., that is utilization of water during the construction process
• Water in the usage of the building
Effects of water
1. Physical (i.e. due to change in water content)
2. Chemical (directly or indirectly affecting other materials)
For example, Volumetric increase due to chemical changes or Steel corrosion, sulphate attack with
water.
Solids
Soluble sulphates are most common and are found in various materials and soil.
They are a great cause of concern. They attack the cement products which in turn result in the
deterioration of the structure.
Effect of changes in Temperature
Various building materials are used for the construction of a building and all the materials have
different coefficient of expansion. Due to changes in the temperature, the expansion and contraction
of the building components takes place which result in the changes in the size and shape of the
components.
Smaller buildings are less affected.
In larger buildings, the change in size of one part causes cracks although not in expanded part.
For example; Crack below the slab/beam in RCC frame Brick pin buildings. These cracks can close up
completely as a result of changes of temperature.
General Vibrations
Vibrations cause cracks in buildings only when their amplitude of vibrations is high.
Apart from vibrations caused due to earthquakes, the vibrations caused due to heavy machinery,
traffic, sonic booms are also responsible for the occurrence of cracks in buildings.