The Investigation of Cracks and Repair Techniques in Buildings

1. The Investigation of Cracks and
Repair Techniques in Buildings

2. PRINCIPLES OF INVESTIGATION OF
CRACKS
 Discussion with Client/Owner of the Building
 Visit the Site
 Understand the Cracks and Its Causes
 Monitoring and Measuring the Movements of
Cracks
 Finding the Suitable Techniques to Repair
Crack
 Formation of Report

3. UNDERSTANDING THE CRACKS
 STRUCTURAL CRACKS
Structural cracks may rise due to various reasons such as
incorrect design, overloading of the structural components
 NON-STRUCTURAL CRACKS (HAIR CRACKS)
Non-structural cracks are generally due to internal forces
developed in the building.
Depending upon the crack width, the cracks are classified as:
 Thin Crack -less than 1 mm in width
 Medium Crack -1 to 2 mm in width.
 Wide Crack -more than 2 mm in width.

4. DIFFERENT CASES OF CRACKS IN
BUILDINGS
 Cracks on walls
Preventive Measures-The design of foundation
should be based on sound engineering principles and
good practice.
 Cracks On Beams And Columns
Preventive Measures: Create slip joints under the
support of concrete slab on walls. Provide horizontal
movement joints between the top of brick panel and
reinforced cement concrete beam/slab.

5. CAUSES AND ITS PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
 Thermal Movement
Preventive Measures: Joints should be constructed
like construction joints, expansion joints, control
joints and slip joints.
 Chemical Reaction
Preventive Measures: If sulphate content in soil
exceeds 0.2 percent or in ground water exceed 300
ppm, use very dense concrete and either increase
richness of mix to 1:1/5:3 and to prevent cracking
due to corrosion in reinforcement it is desirable to
specify concrete of

6. CAUSES AND ITS PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
 Excessive Water
Preventive Measures: Use minimum quantity of
water required for mixing cement concrete or cement
mortar according to water cement ratio.
 Quantity of Cement
Preventive Measures: Do not use excessive cement
in the mortar mix.
 Vegetation
Preventive Measure: Do not grow trees too close to
the building.

7. TECHNIQUES TO REPAIR CRACK
 EPOXY INJECTION
 GRAVITY FILLING
 GROUTING AND SEALING
 STITCHING
 DRY PACKING
 POLYMER IMPREGNATION
 UNDERPINNING

8. THANK YOU
For more information
https://www.constrofacilitator.com/the-
investigation-of-cracks-and-repair-
techniques-in-buildings/