Evaluating Cracks In Concrete Walls

We explain 6 of the most common types of concrete cracks below.

Evaluating cracks in concrete walls.

Diagonal foundation or wall cracks in concrete block or other cmu walls foundations diagnosis repair. If a vertical crack widens at the top or bottom the wall is either settling or gradually heaving which may present serious issues. How to inspect diagnose concrete block foundation cracks leans bows settlement. Cracks that form in plastic concrete can be categorized as either plastic shrinkage cracking or plastic settlement cracking.

In general cracks wider than a credit card and running through the depth of the concrete are structural in nature and could be a sign of more serious problems see concrete crack repair evaluation. Suprenant and kim d. Several masonry patching products such as hydraulic cement do an adequate job of filling cracks in concrete walls. The crack comparator is easy to use sufficiently accurate for most jobs and usually supplied free by companies spe.

Reasonable crack widths for reinforced concrete under service loads are listed in table 4 1 of aci 224r 01. 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. Figure 2 illustrates the types of cracks and their primary causes in relation to their location. Noting cracks sizes shapes and locations can aid in determining their initial causes.

Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks. The cracks might indicate a more serious structural problem. Damaged masonry block foundations walls. Concrete walls containing horizontal cracks are serious issues.

Foundation walls are normally designed as reinforced concrete. These cracks no matter what the width are rarely acceptable. Call in a structural engineer for an in depth evaluation. Stair step cracks may also signify heaving.

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. However a footnote warns that with time a significant portion of the cracks in a structure can exceed these values. Basham to repair cracks in concrete properly first determine what caused them. Horizontal cracks in concrete walls however indicate poor wall designs or pressure buildup behind the wall.

Evaluating cracks in concrete walls by bruce a.