A crack is a complete or incomplete separation of
concrete into two or more parts, produced by breaking or fracturing
An engineer should have a sound knowledge of all
the facts of concrete technology
Treatment of cracks involves detection, diagnosis
and remedy TYPES OF CRACKS Structural cracks -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
Non structural cracks
-Arise due to internal forces developed in the buildings 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. INVESTIGATION RELATING TO CRACKS Whether the crack is old or new. Whether it appears on the opposite face of the member also. Pattern of the cracks. Soil condition, type of foundation used, and movement of ground if any. Observations on the similar structures in the same locality. Study of specification, method of construction, used and the test result at the site. Climatic condition during which the structure has been constructed . LIMITATION OF CRACK WIDTH (IS 456: 2000)
Depending on the exposure conditions limitations on crack
width are imposed as follows 1. For members in water storage units, sewage treatment plants, structures in chemically hazardous atmosphere, etc. Cracks are not permitted in R.C. members. 2. In severe atmosphere up to 0.1mm crack width is permitted. 3. Moderate atmosphere up to 0.2mm crack width is permitted 4. In mild atmosphere the surface width of cracks should not exceed 0.3mm PERMISSIBLE CRACK WIDTH IN REINFORCED SRTUCTURE AS PER ACI Exposure Condition Maximum allowable crack width in mm
Dry air, protective membrane 0.41
Humidity, moist air 0.30
Sea water & seawater spray 0.15
Water retaining structure 0.10
CAUSES FOR THE OCCURRANCE OF CRACKS Structural deficiency resulting from design deficiency or construction deficiency and overloading. Temperature and shrinkage effects. Cracks due to faulty workman ship and poor construction practice. Cracks due to settlement. CRACKS DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCY DUE TO DESIGN DEFICIENCY Cracks occur due to shear, flexural and torsional steel deficiency.
Cracks occur due to abrupt curtailment of
reinforcing bars, construction joints etc.
Improper anchorage.
Cracks due to overloading of members
FLEXURAL CRACKS IN BEAM
Fig. Flexural crack
SHEAR-FLEXURE CRACKS IN BEAM
Fig. shear crack
DIAGONAL TENSION CRACKS IN BEAM
Fig. Diagonal crack
TORSIONAL CRACKS IN BEAM
Fig. Torsional crack
CRACKS DUE TO ABRUPT CURTAILMENT OF BARS IN BEAM
Fig. Crack due to abrupt curtailment of bars
CRACKS DUE TO FAULTY WORKMAN SHIP AND POOR CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE Causes: 1. Improper bar detailing 2. Premature removal of forms 3. Improper column form placement 4. Cold joints 5. Segregation 6. Plastic shrinkage cracking 7. Improper reinforcing steel placement PREVENTIVE MEASURES
By providing proper water cement ratio.
Proper curing.
Proper support for forms.
Following proper design codes and
recommendations CRACK DUE TO SETTLEMENT
Uneven settlement can be a major structural
problem in small residential building
Vertical distortion or cracking of masonry walls,
wrapped interiors and exterior opening
Occurs early in life of building
SETTLEMENTS ARE CAUSED DUE TO soil consolidation under footing
loss of moisture
water table level
faulty drains, leaking water mains
soil compaction or movement due to vibration
Building settlement due to cut and fill Differential settlement caused due to variable soil type PREVENTIVE MEASURES under reamed pile foundation
foundation design for uniform distribution of pressure
sbc is not exceeded
soil should be well compacted
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING CRACKS IN A STRUCTURE Measuring Magnifier Crack scope Digital Crack Gauge Lamaro Microscope MEASURING MAGNIFIER CRACKSCOPE
DIGITAL CRACK GAUGE LOMARO MICROSCOPE
CONCLUSION
As for as possible cracks should not develop in building .
And care should be taken for important & multistoried buildings, design & execution of building
Cracks should not develop in any circumstances as cracks
affects aesthetics’ of building & cracks may cause leaking problems in building. REFERENCES Charles .C.Roberts , Roberts Consulting Engineers.Inc Evaluating Cracks In Building ,Email : CCR@Croberts.Com (Internet) Grishma thagunna, Department of Civil Engineering, Western Region Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal M.S. Shetty-“ concrete technology” P.C.Varghese-“Limit State Design Of Reinforced concrete” Simon Wiltshier For The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Of The Heritage Council Of NSW May 2004 “Cracking Of Buildings Due To Shrink/Swell In Clay Soils” Thank You