What Factors Causes Failure of

Concrete Structures?
Home » What Factors Causes Failure of Concrete Structures?

Different factors cause the failure of concrete structure such as

errors from design stage to construction stage and to occupancy.
The main causes of failure of concrete structures are discussed.

What Factors Causes Failure of Concrete Structures?

The main factors that affect the failure of concrete structures are:

o Incorrect selection of materials

o Errors in design calculation and detailing
o Improper construction techniques and insufficient quality control and
supervision
o Chemical attacks on concrete structures
o External mechanical factors

Fig.1: Failure of Concrete Structures Due to Various Factors

Incorrect Selection of Concrete Materials Causes Failure of Structure
To build a structure that meet safety and strength requirements, it
is necessary to execute construction process according to the
applicable codes and specifications.

Normally, the selection of materials required for given project

should be acceptable according to code specifications to use suitable
materials.

If materials are selected properly and meet code requirements, then

they will meet the conditions of the place where the material is
placed such as soil conditions.

Failure in the material selection is one of the major factors that

detrimentally affect the strength and safety of structure and
eventually could lead to failure.
Various detrimental factors such as presence of sulfide in soil or
ground water and the occurrence of freezing and thawing should be
carefully considered while materials are selected to prepare
concrete mixture.

Fig.2: Materials Used in Construction of Concrete Structure

Errors in Design Calculation and Detailing of Concrete Structures
It is considerably important to practice substantial care while design
calculation is conducted otherwise undesired events and costly
structural improvement would prevail.

That is why it is recommended to conduct an entire design check to

guarantee that reinforced concrete section sizes, thicknesses, and
reinforcement spacing and sizes are sufficient to support the most
critical load combinations.

Not only does the check need to involve entire stability of the
structure but also its serviceability and robustness. Regarding
detailing, it is the most well-known factor that leads to initiate
cracks and sometimes failure of the structure.

It is advised to use correct, robust and efficient arrangement for the

structure. The building should be constructed in such a way that
prevents water to remain on the structure and consequently
deteriorate the structure. Movement joints should be placed
properly to avoid crack development.

Code specifications regarding reinforced concrete elements shall be

followed correctly. For example, concrete cover which protects steel
bars from aggressive attacks and fire, maximum and minimum
reinforcement ratio, steel bar spacing which restricts cracks, lap
length and anchorages.

Improper Construction Techniques and Insufficient Quality Control

and Supervision Causes Failure
Improper construction methods, poor workmanship, low quality
material and insufficient supervision of construction process would
cause several problems that reduces the performance of concrete
structures substantially and subsequent failure. Table-1 provides
construction issues and their influence on the failure of the
structure.

Table-1: Construction Issues That Influence Failure of Concrete

Structure
Types of Construction
Effect of Construction Errors on Concrete Structure
Errors

This error makes concrete cover smaller which in turn leave the steel bars
Incorrect placement of
unprotected. Disposition of steel bars may lead the member to fail when it is l
steel
completely.

If required cover thickness is not provided, then aggressive elements can pene
Inadequate cover to
the member and eventually reinforcement bars will deteriorate and concrete sp
reinforcement
will occur.

Poor compaction and inadequate preparation are common problems of joint

Incorrectly made
construction. If such joints are not constructed properly, it would become a pa
construction joints
moisture to penetrate concrete.

When joints of formworks are not sealed properly, then grout and fine materia
Grout leakage would move out of concrete mixture. As a result, a considerably porous concr
will be produced.

This would create porous honeycombed concrete which should be tackled

Poor compaction
immediately by removing it and then recast that part of the element.

Segregation of
Segregation would distort concrete texture and sometimes increase porosity.
concrete mixture

The required strength of concrete cannot be attained if curing is not executed

Poor curing
properly.

High quantity water Excessive water content makes concrete permeable, porous and reduces its str
content So, this problem should be avoided.

Chemical Attacks on Concrete Structures

There are different types of chemical attacks that considerably
affect strength of the structure. Various types of chemical attacks
and their influence on the structure are discussed in Table-2.
Table-2: Types of Chemical Attacks and Their Effects on Concrete
Structures
Types of Chemical
Effect of Chemical Attacks on Concrete Structure
Attacks

Chloride ions penetrate concrete during and after construction. High concentrati
Chloride
chloride corrodes steel bars and deteriorates concrete.

It disintegrates concrete and create path for harmful substances to attack

Sulfate
reinforcements.

Carbonation Carbonation attack and deteriorate steel bars

Alkali silica reaction produces a gel which its volume increases and consequentl
Alkali silica reaction
disintegrates concrete.

Acids It strongly affect concrete and removes part of set cement

External Mechanical Factors Causing Concrete Structure Failure

There are various types of exterior or mechanical factors that
influence concrete failure for example restraints against movement,
abrasion, wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, overloading,
structural alteration, fire resistance and settlement.