The document discusses common construction defects in buildings such as cracks and dampness. It defines construction defects and lists main causes as application of forces, effects of materials, temperature changes, and biological agents. Common cracks are categorized based on width and appearance. Cracks are further divided into structural and non-structural types. Main causes of cracks are identified as drying shrinkage, thermal movement, elastic deformation, creep, chemical reactions, foundation movement, and vegetation growth. Specific defect examples and their causes are outlined, such as cracks in brickwork from lack of tying and defective flashing. Remedies for preventing common defects are also provided.

1. CONSTRUCTION & MATERIAL
DEFECTS IN BUILDINGS & REMEDIES.
Submitted By- Kirtika Gupta
B.arch 4th Yr. 8th Semester

2. INTRODUCTION-
DEFINITION:
Construction defects usually include any deficiency in the
performing of the design, planning, supervision,
inspection.
Basically, most of the defects are created
from:
 The applications of forces.
 The effects of materials.
 The effects of biological agents.
 Changes in temperature.
Those factors may lead to:
 Changes in the construction, ranging from slight
cracking not affecting stability to complete
destruction.
 Changes in shape, size or weight.
 Changes in appearance, including colour.

3. THE COMMON DEFECTS IN THE BUILDINGS
ARE:-
1.
CRACKS
2.
DAMPNESS

4. CRACKS :-
 Cracks in building are a common occurrence and it is important to
 understandthe causes and the measures tobe taken for their
prevention.
 Tensile stressare produced due torestraint to contraction
movements.
 If thesestressesexceedthe tensileor shear strength of the
material cracks develop.
 In a tropical country like India, there is a large variation of
atmospheric temperature and humidity,hence itwould
necessary to avoid materials which expand or contract
considerably due to thermal and moisture movements.
 And designof the structure is so that to minimize restraintto
contraction or expansion of thematerial.

5. THIN < 1 MM
MEDIUM 1 MM-2 MM
WIDE > 2 MM
CLASSIFICATION OF CRACKS (BASED ON WIDTH)
COMMON SIGHT OF CRACKS
VERTICAL STRAIGHT UNIFORM
THROUGHT
HORIZONTAL TOOTHED NARROW AT ONE
END
DIAGONAL STEPPED GRADUALLY WIDE
AT THE OTHER END.
MAP PATTERN
RANDOM

6. CATEGORY OF CRACKS IN
BUILDING-
The defect can be divided into two categories,
which are:
STRUCTURAL CRACKS-
STRUCTRAL DEFECTS CAN BE CASUED AS
 Incorrect design
 Overloading of the structural components
 Overloading of the soil
 Extensive cracking of foundation walls, beams
columns or slabs etc. A example of structural
cracks.
NON-STRUCTURAL CRACKS-
NON STRUCTURAL CRACKS ARE
GENERALLY DUE TO-
 Internal force development
 Which causes changing in the size of building
components
 Also due to moisture variation, the effects of
gases, liquids and solids
STRUCTURAL CRACKS
NON- STRUCTURAL CRACKS

7. PRINCIPLE CAUSES OF CRACKS-
 MAIN CAUSES OF OCCURRENCE OF CRACKS IN
BUILDINGS AREAS FOLLOWS:
 DRYING SHRINKAGE
 THERMAL MOVEMENT
 ELASTIC DEFORMATION
 CREEP
 CHEMICAL REACTION
 FOUNDATION MOVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF SOIL.
 GROWTH OFVEGETATION.

8. DRYING SHRINKAGE-
 Drying shrinkage is defined as the contracting of a hardened
concrete mixture due to capillary water, this causes an increase
in tensile stress which may lead to cracking and warping.
 FACTOR CAUSING DRYINGSHRINKAGE
 Cement and watercontent,
 Maximum size, grading and quality ofaggregates,
 Presence of excessive fine inaggregates,
 Chemical composition ofcement,
 Temperature of fresh concrete and relative humidity of
surroundings.
THERMAL MOVEMENT-
 All materials more or less expand on heating and contract on
cooling .
 The thermal movement depends on a number of factors such as
temperature variations, dimensions, coefficient of thermal
expansion and some other physical properties ofmaterials..
 It is mainly the external walls especially thin walls
exposed to direct solar radiation.
 It can be avoided by introducing expansion joint,
control joints and slip joints.

9. ELASTIC DEFORMATION-
 The temporary change in length, volume or shape produced in a
elastic substance by a stress
 Structural components of a buildingundergo elastic deformation due to
dead load and the liveloads.
 When the walls are unevenly loaded with wide variations in stresses in
different parts, excessiveshear stress is developed which causes
cracking in walls.
CREEP
 Creep is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform
permanently under the influence of mechanical stresses.
 It can occur as a result of long term exposureto high levels of stress that
are
still below the yield strength of the material.
FACTORS AFFECTING CREEP
 Relative humidity.
 Size of member.
 Applied stresses
 EFFECTS OF CREEP:-
 Increasing the deflection in larger span beams.
 Buckling of slandercolumns
 Buckling of cladding in tallbuildings
Buckling of slandercolumns
Due to creep

10. CHEMICAL REACTIONS-
 Certain chemical reactions in building materials results in appreciable
increasein volume of materials. The materials taking part in reaction
also becomeweak and lose strength.
 Common instancesof chemicalreaction are:-
 Sulphate attack on cementproducts.
 Carbonation of reinforcement and brickwork,and
 Alkali-aggregate reaction.
• FOUNDATION MOVEMENTAND SETTLEMENT
OF SOIL-
 Shear cracks in buildings occurwhen there is large differential
settlementof foundationdue to one of the followingcauses:
 Unequalbearingpressureunderdifferentparts of the structure,
 Bearing pressurebeingin excess of bearingstrength of the soil,
 Low factor of safety in the design offoundations,
 Local variations in the nature of supportingsoil, which remained
undetectedand
• could not be taken care of in the foundation designat the
construction.

11. GROWTH OF VEGETATION
 Roots of a tree generally spread horizontally on all sides to the extent of
height of the tree above the ground and when trees are located in the vicinity of
a wall, these shouldbe viewed withsuspicion
 They can cause cracks in walls due to expansiveaction of roots
growing under thefoundation.
• GENERAL MEASURES FOR AVOIDANCE OF
VEGITATION-
 Do not let trees grow too close to buildings, compounds walls, etc. If
any saplingsof trees startgrowingin fissures ofwalls etc. remove themat
the earliestopportunity.
 If some large trees existclose to a buildingand these are not causing any
problem, as far as possible, do not disturb these trees if soil under the
foundation happens to be shrinkableclay.
 If from any site intended for new construction, vegetation including trees have
been removed and the soil is shrinkable clay, do not commence construction
activity on that soil until it undergoneexpansionand stabilized after absorbing
moisture in at least one rainy season.

12. DESIGN DEFICIENCES-
 Problems are typically encountered with roof systems,
which due to their design complexity, pitched or flat, are
prone to leaks.
MATERIAL DEFICIENCES-
 Deteriorating flashing,
 Building paper,
 Waterproofing membranes,
 Asphalt roofing shingles,
 Particle board,
 Inferior drywall
 Other wall products used in wet and/or damp areas,
such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
WORKMANSHIP DEFICIENCES-
 Workmanship defects typically result from the contractor’s
failure
 follow the construction documents, industry quality
standard practices, or the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
 Workmanship defects can include improper soil
compaction, concrete finishing, weatherproofing systems,
ROOFING
PROBLEMS
DESIGN DEFICIENCIES.
MATERIAL DEFICIENCIES.
WORKMANSHIP DEFICIENCIES.

13. SOME MORE CAUSES OF OCCURANCE OF
CRACKS-
 IMPROPER DESIGN POOR WORKMANSHIP THAT LEADS TO
POOR FINISHING QUALITY
 IMPROPER MEANS OR METHODS OF INSTALLATION
 IMPROPER OR POOR QUALITY OF THE MATERIALS
 DEFECTIVE MATERIAL OR POOR MATERIAL PERFORMANCE
 EROSION OF MORTAR
 PEELING PAINT
 CRACKING OF WALLS / LEANING WALLS
 UNSTABLE FOUNDATIONS
 ROOF DEFECTS
 . HONEYCOMBING
 DAMPNESS

14. 1. CRACKS IN BRICKWORK
CAUSES
 This is the lack of tying in of brickwork.
 Wall has been constructed and not tied into
the adjoining brickwork
 Case a half brick has been cut and abuts the
joining wall
 There is no form of tying in of the brickwork,
nor fixing
REMEDY
 By construction of the two brick walls at the
same time with the brickwork being
interlocked
2. DEFECTIVE FLASHING
CAUSES
 Flashings to the base of the cavity have
been installed.
 These flashings are designed to collect any
water entry to the
 Building and discharge it to the outside
REMEDY
 The flashing in this case should have
been turned up at the ends to prevent the
leaks at the door sill.

15. 3. DIAGONAL CRACKS IN BRICK WALLS
CAUSES
 .Differential settlement of foundation due to expansion of
clayey soil by absorption of moisture.
 This may happen when the rain water finds entry in soil or if
a tree is cut suddenly in the vicinity of structure so that the
soil which was earlier dehydrated by the tree again absorbs
moisture and swells.
REMEDY
 Adequate plinth protection and drainage arrangement should
be made around the building to minimize water entry in the
foundation.
4. HORIZONTAL CRACKS IN BRICK MORTAR
JOINTS
CAUSES
 Weakening of mortar due to sulphate attack. these
cracks normally occur after 2-3yrs of construction as
the reaction is slow.
REMEDY
 Sulphate contents of the bricks should be
checked before allowing their use.
 Brick walls should not be allowed to be damp because
Sulphate attack happens only in presence of moisture.
 The correct remedy is to reconstruct the affected areas.

16. 5. RANDOM CRACKS IN FLORRING
CAUSES
• .Flooring has been cast continuously without making
panels.
• Cracks occur due to development of tensile stresses on
account of shrinkage and thermal contraction of
concrete & occur mostly in the first dry spell.
REMEDY
 Cast flooring in panels do adequate curing in the initial
period of hardening of concrete.
6. ROOF DEFECT
CAUSES
 Concrete not cast properly and mixing and compacting
not done uniformly and properly.
REMEDY
Apply water proofing coating over the concrete slab.

17. 7. HORIZONTAL CRACKS BETWEEN BRICK PARAPET
WALLAND ROOF SLAB
CAUSES
 Due to thermal expansion and arching of slab ,it is not free to expand .This
situation mainly occurs in case of non projecting slab.
 Differential thermal expansion and contraction and differential drying
shrinkage of R.C.C slab & brick wall.
REMEDIES
 Make parapet wall a little inside of the edge of slab so that crack wont be
visible.
 Providing a groove in plaster at the junction of parapet wall and slab so
that crack forms in the groove and doesn’t look unsightly
8. VERTICALAND HORIZONTAL CRACK IN PANELWALL
IN R.C.C FRAMED STRUCTURE
CAUSES
 Panels wall too lightly built to the R.C.C. beams so that the beams are not
free to deflect ,load is transmitted the wall and vertical and horizontal
cracks are produced in the depending upon the direct in which wall is more
slender (i.e. height and length)
REMEDIES
 Some gap should be left between top of panel wall and soffit beam /slab so
that beam can deflect freely.
 This gap can be fill by weak mortar .

18. 9. CRACKS IN LOAD BEARING MASONRY WALL
BELOW R.C.C SLAB
CAUSES

Due to absence of slip joint between RCC slab and wall which
doesn’t allow RCC slab to move freely over wall leads to cracking
in the wall.
Sometimes the movements of the slab may also cause cracking in
the wall.
Sometimes the movement of the slab may also cause cracking in
masonry at lintel and window sill level because here the masonry is
weak.
These cracks are observed mainly on top most storey of the bldg.,
because roof is more exposed to temperature variation.
REMIDIES
 Before casting RCC slab over bricks wall, smooth bearing plaster
should be done over brick walls coupled with white
wash/bitumen coating over it.
 It allows slab to move freely over wall

19. 10 .DIAGONAL CRACKS IN WALL OVER R.C.C.
LINTELS.
CAUSES
• Due to drying shrinkage of lintels and sudden deflection of
lintels after removal of shuttering.
REMIDIES
• Use precast lintels as far as possible for small openings.
•Construct brick wall over lintel after it has undergone
considerable shrinkage.
•Construct brick wall
over lintel after
shuttering below it is
removed so that it
doesn't undergo sudden
deflection with the
construction of brick wall
over it.

20. .
GENERAL MEASURES FOR PROTECTION OF CRACKS..
The measures for prevention of cracks could be broadly grouped under the
following main subheads :-
Selection of materials:-
Good quality of building materials according to the specification if used that will minimize the
cracks in the building.
b)Specifications for mortar and concrete:-
The ratio of the mortar and concrete should be according to the prescribed design. Care should be
taken that the coarse aggregate, fine aggregate should be free from silt suspended impurities and
the mix should be homogeneous, well mixed and contain no excessive of water.
c) Drawing and Design of the building:-
While doing the construction work care should be taken that foundation of the building should not
be laid on loose /muddy soil. The mortar, M S steel reinforcement should be according to the
design.
d) Good Construction practices:-
It is necessary that work proceed uniformly in all part of building. The workmanship should be
according to the prescribed norms and best practice in the building construction
e)Weather Effect:-
The construction work should be avoided in very hot and dry weather, and during very low
temperature also.

21.  DEFECTS DUE TO DAMPNESS-
 Penetrating damp is the most common form of dampness in buildings.
Dampness occurs as a result of water egressing horizontally through gaps in
the buildingstructure.
 Rising damp describes the action of ground moisture rising up a masonry wall
by capillary action.
 It potentially occurs where there is no damp-proof course (DPC) or where the
DPC has been damaged or bridged. Theoretically, moisture can rise up the
wall to a height of ameter.
 "Rising Damp" is most often caused by damp penetration which is then
absorbed by the plaster which is highly absorbent and due to the chemical
reactions taking place inside thewall
 SYMPTOMS-
 Dampness tends to cause secondary damage to a building.
 The unwanted moisture enables the growth of various fungi in wood, causing
rot.
 Plaster and paint deteriorate and wallpaper loosens.
 Stains, from the water, salts and from mold,mar surfaces.
 Externally, mortar may crumble and salt stains may appear on the walls.
 Steel & iron fastenersrust.
 It may also cause respiratory illnessin occupants.
 In extreme cases, mortar or plaster may fall away from the affected wall.
 The cracks developed as even and uniformly spread throughout

22. IDENTIFICATION OF DAMP PROBLEMS-
 Roof defects such as faulty flashing, cracked or missing slates
or tiles.
 Faults in the brickwork or masonry such as missing or
cracked pointing. Porous bricks or stones.
 Missing or defective mastic around windows and doors.
 Blocked weep holes.
 Missing or defective trays in cavity walls.
 Condensation.
 Damp proof membrane or Damp Proof course been buried by
later building activities
TREATMENT-
 The cause of the dampness must first be eliminated, by
providing better drainage or fixing leaking pipes. We can also
install a physical or chemical DPC.
 Then, any affected plaster or mortar must be removed, and the
wall treated, before replacing the plaster and repainting.
 Proper DPC must be provided and all the joints must be
properly sealed

23. 7. WATERENTERING THROUGH DOORS
AND WINDOWS OF THE BUILDING AND
CAUSING DAMPNESS INSIDE THE
BUILDING
CAUSES
 Chajjas not provided over doors and windows
 Stilts not provided at the bottom of door on the outside
 Floor not sloping away from external door
 There is gap between door /window frames and jambs
.
REMEDY
 Provide chajjas over doors and windows
 Gaps between doors/windows frame and jambs
should be properly sealed through sealant.
 Rubber gasket/beading should be provided on edge
of door/ window shutters if you want a perfect leak
proof door/ window.
 Glazed windows should always open outside
and not inside the room

24. 8. SEEPAGE IN THE WALLS OF TOILET
ABOVE TOILET FLOOR LEVEL
CAUSES
 Leakage in water supply lines which are concealed in the
walls.
REMEDY
 Make a chase in the wall along the route of water lines
in the toilet/bathroom and expose these lines at the
location+ of dampness . Then examine them for leakage.
 2. In extreme cases some pipe piece can also be
found cracked rusted (specially when pipes have
become quite old) which should be replaced.
9 . SEEPAGE IN THE CEILING BELOW
ROOF SLAB IN THE CORNERS ALONG
JUNCTION OF WALLAND SLAB.
CAUSES
Since the parapet load is low, the roof slab bends to
lift atits corners due to deflection causing crack..
Since the parapet load is low, slab is also able to
REMEDY
 By making brick or concrete cornier at the bottom of
parapet wall and making drip mould in it
 By extending roof slab itself by 2” to 3” beyond the
load bearing. wall and making a drip mould at the bottom
.

25. 10. DAMPNESS IN THE CEILING BELOW ROOF
SLAB/TERRACES/BALCONIES
CAUSES
 Roof slopes not proper.
water stagnates at some
points.
 Rain water pipe choked.
So water collects around
that location and
gradually seeps below in
the roof.
 Overhead tank not water proofed so water
seeps from it through its pillars to the roof
slab.
 Area around overhead water tank at roof not properly
cleaned. so some vegetation starts growing due to dampness
and makes its way through the roofing from where water
also seeps.
REMEDY
 Correct the roof slopes wherever required by putting screed
concrete and put adequate no. of rain water pipes.
 Water proofing should be done under the overhead tank on
roof
.

26. DEFECTIVE PLASTER RENDERING
• Defective rendering are normally caused by biological attacks arising from
penetrating rain, evaporation, condensation, air pollution, dehydration and
thermal stress.
• The mould or harmful growth, insect, animals, and traffic vibration also will
contribution causes of defective plaster rendering.
• TYPES OF DEFECTIVE PLASTER RENDERING
• a) Cracking in Plastering
• b) Holes in Plaster wall
• c) Plaster falling off from ceiling
• . d) Shrinkage Cracking
• CAUSES OF DEFECTIVE OF PLASTER RENDERING AS FOLLOWS:
• Loss of bond between coats
• Surface cracking
• Water damage
• Movement of structure
• Chemical attack
• Popping or pitting

27. ROOF DEFECT
• Roof defect are divided into structural faults and defect
in the waterproofing material. The majority of roof defect
that occurs is distortion of either the roof or of the wall at
roof level
• The pitch roof sagging result is from the slating or tilling
that has dished appearance, and the ridge may also have
sagged.
WHILE THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF
ROOFING DEFECTS, MOST ARE KNOWN TO BE
CAUSES BY:
• Improper installation
• Poor workmanship
• Defective material
PEELING PAINT-
• Peeling paint is always the result of poor surface
preparation.
• The majority of peeling paint problems occurs on
surfaces exposed to the rain, sun, and the variation
degree of temperature
• It happens when new plastered or skimmed walls or
ceiling are not given enough time to completely dry
before painting.

28. CONCRETE CREEP
 It is the property of concrete by which it continues to
deform with time under sustained stress. the total
deformation of concrete element can be divided into
two parts:
 An initial, instantaneous deformation at an
application of load.
 A time dependent deformation due to creep.
REMEDY
 . Design the structure with a mind to the degree of
restraint during drying or cooling of the concrete.
 . Pre stress wherever feasible.
CORROSION OF THE REINFORCEMENT
• Corrosion of steel bars is due to oxygen and moisture.
• Any common steel will corrode slowly when exposed
to the air with no protection.
• when ordinary steel is used to in concrete, it
automatically protected from corrosion by means of:

29. THANKYOU