Evaluating Cracks In Concrete Walls

This chapter of the foundation crack bible discusses in detail the process of evaluating stair stepped or diagonal cracking and related signs of foundation movement or damage in concrete block walls.

Evaluating cracks in concrete walls.

We explain 6 of the most common types of concrete cracks below. The cracks might indicate a more serious structural problem. Concrete walls containing horizontal cracks are serious issues. How to inspect diagnose concrete block foundation cracks leans bows settlement.

Foundation walls are normally designed as reinforced concrete. These cracks no matter what the width are rarely acceptable. However a footnote warns that with time a significant portion of the cracks in a structure can exceed these values. Horizontal cracks in concrete walls however indicate poor wall designs or pressure buildup behind the wall.

Cracking in plastic concrete. Noting cracks sizes shapes and locations can aid in determining their initial causes. Cracks that form in plastic concrete can be categorized as either plastic shrinkage cracking or plastic settlement cracking. Basham to repair cracks in concrete properly first determine what caused them.

Call in a structural engineer for an in depth evaluation. Evaluating cracks in concrete walls by bruce a. Damaged masonry block foundations walls. Stair step cracks may also signify heaving.

Several masonry patching products such as hydraulic cement do an adequate job of filling cracks in concrete walls. When concrete is still in its plastic state before hardening it is full of water. This article explains concrete block or cinder block or concrete masonry unit cmu foundation inspection procedures and the diagnosis of cracks bulges leaning bowing and settlement in concrete block foundations and building walls such as damage due to impact. Figure 2 illustrates the types of cracks and their primary causes in relation to their location.

Reasonable crack widths for reinforced concrete under service loads are listed in table 4 1 of aci 224r 01. Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks. The crack comparator is easy to use sufficiently accurate for most jobs and usually supplied free by companies spe. Diagonal foundation or wall cracks in concrete block or other cmu walls foundations diagnosis repair.

When that water eventually leaves the slab it leaves behind large voids between the solid particles.