CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE NO.

1.Introduction

2.Types of cracks
3.Cause And Prevention
4.Repairs techniques
5.Conclusion
6.Reference
 INTRODUCTION
A Crack is a complete or incomplete separation of
concrete in two or more than two parts, produced
by breaking and fracturing. The crack in concrete is
an inherent feature, which cannot be completely
prevented but can be controlled and minimized.
Concrete being a material having very low tensile
strength, readily cracks when such tensile stress is
beyond the tensile strength of concrete occur in
structure. Crack in the building is a universal
problem faced through the world. Building
components develops whenever stress in the
components exceeds its strength. Stress in the
building components could be caused by externally
applied forces such as dead, live, wind, seismic loads
or foundation settlements or could it be induced by
internally due to temperature variations, moisture
change and chemical actions. Cracks affects the
building’s artistic look and it destroy the wall
integrity, affects the safety of structure and even
reduces the durability of structure.
 TYPES OF CRACKS
Cracks may be divided into two categories viz
1. Structural cracks
2. Non structural cracks

Structural cracks:
Structural cracks may arise due to various reasons
such as incorrect design, overloading of the
structural components overloading of the soil on
which the building is constructed or other similar
factors. Structural cracks endanger the stability of
the building and may be difficult to be rectified.
Extensive cracks of foundations walls, beams,
columns or slabs etc, are example of structural
cracks.
Non-structural cracks:
Non –structural cracks are generally due to internal
forces developed in the building on account of
change in the size of building components, due to
moisture variation, temperature, variations, the
effect of gases, liquid and solids on the building
components. The non – structural cracks can be
repaired provided the reasons for cracks are
identified and suitable remedial measures are taken
to prevent their reoccurrence.
 CAUSES AND ITS PREVENTION
A).THERMAL MOVEMENT:
Most materials expand when they are heated, and
contract when they are cooled. The expansion and
contraction with changes in temperature occur
regardless of the structure’s cross-sectional area. It is
one of the most potent causes of cracking in building
which need attention.
Prevention Measure: joints should be constructed
like construction joints, control joints and slip joints,
expansion joints. The joints should be planned at the
time of design and be constructed carefully.

B) CHEMICAL REACTION:
Chemical reaction may occur due to the material
used to make the concrete or materials that come into
the concrete after it has hardened. Concrete may crack
with time as the result of slowly developing expansive
reactions between aggregate containing activities
silica and alkalis derived from cement hydration,
admixtures or external sources.

Prevention: If sulphate content in soil exceeds

0.2percent or in ground water exceeds 300ppm, use
very dense concrete and either increase richness of
mix to 1:1/1.5:3 and to prevent cracking due to
corrosion in reinforcement it is desirable to specify
concrete of richer mix for thin sections in exposed
location.

C .Shrinkage:
Most of the building materials expand when they
absorb moisture from atmosphere and shrink when they
are dry. Shrinkage can be of plastic or dry. The factors
causing shrinkage in cement concrete and cement
mortar and their preventions are as following.
1.Excesive water : The quantity of water used in the
mortar mix can cause shrinkage .Vibrated concrete has
less quantity of water and lesser shrinkage than
manually compacted concrete.
Prevention measure: use minimum quantity of
water required for mixing cement concrete or cement
mortar according to water cement ratio .Cement
concrete is never allowed to work without mechanical
mix and vibrator.

D .Quantity of Cement:
As a general rule, the richer the mix is the greater the
shrinkage/drying will be.

PREVENTION MEASURE: Do not use excessive

cement in the mortar mix.

EARTHQUAKE :
Cracks may be caused due to sudden shift in the lower
layer of the earth. The voids in the earth might have
suddenly collapsed and be filled with soil from the
above. Many geological events can trigger earth
movements but is continuous movement.
PREVENTION MEASURES:
Do not grow trees too close to the building. Remove any
sapling of trees as soon as possible if they stat growing
in or near of walls.
POOR CONSTRUCTION:
There is general lack of good construction
practices either due to ignorance, carelessness, greed or
negligence. For a healthy building it is absolutely
necessary for the construction agency and the owner to
ensure good quality material selection and good
construction practices.

PREVENTION MEASURE:
Proper monitoring and use of good quality of materials is
required at the time of construction.
 Repairs techniques
A) Epoxy injections:
Epoxy injection is an economical method of
repairing non – moving cracks in concrete walls, a
sit slabs, columns and piers is capable of restoring the
concrete to its pre –cracked strength. The technique
generally consists of establishing entry and venting
ports at close intervals along the cracks on expos
surfaces, and injecting the epoxy under pressure
B) Gravity Filling:
Low viscosity monomers and resigns can be used to
seal cracks with surface widths of 0.001 to 0.08 in by
gravity filling High molecular weight methacrylates
Urethanes and some low viscosity epoxies has been
used successfully.
C) Routing and Sealing:
In this method, the cracks are made wider at the
surface with a saw or grinder, and then the groove is
filled with a flexible sealant. This is commonly
technique for cracks treatments and it is relatively
 simple in comparison to the procedures and the
training required for epoxy injection. Initially clean the
surface should be free from paint, dirt, efflorescence
or any bond inhibiting agents then apply epoxy.
To prevent the epoxy flowing out insert foam breaker
or rod of suitable diameter and sealant is applied to it.

D) . STITCHING:
This method is done for permanent structure repair.
In this method with the help of drilling holes are made
on both side of crack and staple of metal are used
stitch the hole.

E). Drilling and plugging:

This consists of drilling down the length of the crack
and grouting it from a key. This technique is only
applicable when cracks run in reasonable straight
length and accessible at one ends. This is used for
vertical repairs of cracks.

CONCLUSION
 Though it is impossible to guarantee against the
cracking yet attempts can be made to minimize
development of cracks.
In case of a existing cracks, after detail study and
analysis of cracks parameters, most appropriate
method of correction should be adopted for effective
and efficient repair of cracks.

REFERENCES
 Concrete technology book.
Google
Google book of cracks in building surfaces,
and injecting the epoxy under pressure