Title: 4.10/ P/ 1
1Cracks and Repairs R.C.C. Structures
2Cracks in building
- Structural cracks
- due to incorrect design
- faulty construction
- Overloading
- Non Structural cracks
- Moisture changes
- Thermal movement
- Elastic deformation
- Creep
- Chemical reaction
- Foundation movement and settlement of soil
- Vegetation
3Non Structural cracksMoisture Changes
- Building materials expand on absorbing moisture
and shrink on drying. These are generally
reversible. Shrinkage in concrete or mortar
depends on a number of factors - Cement concrete Richer the mix greater is the
drying shrinkage. - Water content More water in mix induces greater
shrinkage - Aggregates Large aggregates with good grading
has less shrinkage for same workability as less
water is used
4- Curing If proper curing starts as soon as
initial set has taken place and continued for 7
to 10 days shrinkage is comparatively less - Excessive fines More fines in aggregate requires
more water for same workability and hence more
shrinkage. - Temperature Concrete made in hot weather needs
more water for same workability see Fig 8 and
hence results in more shrinkage. - Temperature Concrete made in hot weather needs
more water for same workability hence results in
more shrinkage.
5Initial Expansion
- An example of cracks of wall due to initial
expansion of bricks is given in fig
6Some Measures for controlling shrinkage
- Shrinkage in plastering can be reduced by
ensuring proper adhesion. The plastered should
not be stronger than the back ground. - Shrinkage cracks in masonry can be minimized by
avoiding use of rich cement mortar and by
delaying plastering till masonry has dried after
proper curing and has undergone most of its
initial shrinkage.
7Thermal Movement
- . The cracking of a typical structure due to
thermal movement is given in fig
8In case of framed buildings due to thermal
movement frames are distorted and cracks may
appear as shown in fig
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10Prevention of Thermal Cracks
- To prevent thermal cracks expansion joints,
control joints and joints in case of change of
shape and direction of wing in a structure are to
be provided
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12General guide lines to provide movement joints
13Elastic Deformation
14Creep
- Building items such as concrete and brick work
when subjected to a sustained load not only
undergo elastic strain but also develop gradual
and slow time dependent deformation known as
creep or plastic strain. The creep in brick work
may stop after 4 months but the same in concrete
continue upto a year or so. The creep in concrete
may be 2 to 3 times of the elastic deformation
and hence has to be fully care fully considered.
15 General measures for avoidance reduction of
cracks due to elastic strain, creep and shrinkage
- Water cement ratio is to be controlled.
- Reasonable pace of construction adopted.
- Brick work over load bearing RCC members should
be done after removal of shutting giving a time
gap. - Brick walls between columns should be deferred as
much as possible. - Plastering of areas having RCC and brick members
should be done after sufficient time gap say one
month or suitable groves provided in junction. - Shutting should be allowed stay for a larger
period say 30 days or so for cantilevers which
are bound to defect appreciably.
16 Movement due to chemical reaction
- Certain chemical reaction in building materials
result is appreciable change in volume of
resulting products and internal stresses are set
up which may result in outward thrust and
formation of cracks. - Soluble sulphate reacts with tricalcuium
aluminate in cement and hydraulic lime and form
products which occupy larger volume and ends in
developing cracks. An example of cracking of a
floor due to coming in contact of the sub base
made of brick khoa with heavy sulphate content
and water can be seen in fig
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18Prevention
- If sulphate content in soil is more that 0.2 or
in ground water more than 300 ppm use rich mix of
concrete ant mortar has to be adopted. - Avoid bricks containing too much soluble
sulphates (more than 5 ) and use rich mortar in
such cases. - Use expansion and control joint at closure
intervals
19Corrosion of Reinforcement
-
- Corroded reinforcement expands and cracks the
concrete cover. To avoid this phenomenon rich mix
of concrete using proper quality of water and
adequate cover should adopted.
20Foundation movement and settlement of soil
- Building on expansion clays are extremely crack
prone. The soil movement in such clay is more
appreciable upto a depth of 1.5 to 2M and this
cause swelling and shrinkage and results in crack
in the structure. The cracks due to settlement
are usually diagonal in shape. Crack appearing
due to swelling is vertical Fig
21Cracking due to vegetation
- Large trees growing in the vicinity of buildings
cause damage in all type of soil conditions. If
the soil is shrinkable clay cracking is severe
22Repair
- The repair for cracks may be undertaken after
ascertaining the reasons for the appearance of
the crack. A few basic principles if followed
will be more effective - 1. Rendering of minor crack less that 1m wide
may be done after observing the crack for some
time and then sealing it with weak mortar of
cement, lime and sand. - 2. Cracks where width change with season should
be filled up with elastic fillers like silicon or
polyurethene compound. - 3. Where sheer crack are observed shear keys
made of RCC concrete with at least 1.5 percent
steel vein forcemeat may be provided at 1 to 1.5m
intervals. - 4. If cracks are due to movement of soil in
black cotton once, prevention of moisture
penetration in the surrounding areas has to be
ensured by providing a waterproof blanket around
the plinth. The masonry wall below ground level
should also be separated from the adjoining soil
by replacing the existing soil with coarse grain
material.
23Structural Cracks
- Structural cracks mainly occur due to
- a) Defective design and defective load
assumptions and perception of behavior of the
structure. - b) In correct assessment of bearing capacity
of foundation soil and soil properly. - c) Defective detailing of joints of
components like roof with brick wall corner
joints of walls - d) Defective detailing of structural
detailing of steel reinforcement. - e) Lack of quality control during
construction.