Structural cracks: Causes and their identification

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Introduction

Cracks are a common occurrence in buildings or structures; they often occur near windows or corners of the walls of a structure. Cracks, however, sometimes happen due to foundation settling and are more often not a reason for concern. It would interest you to know that not all cracks would result in structural damage. However, cracks are undesirable features and can distort the aesthetics of a structure.

Although the factor of safety of a structure is high compared to the effect of cracks, cracks can be a sign of potential structural damage. When a crack can result in structural damage, it is a structural crack.
Structural cracks (cracks that can result in structural damage), often start as non-structural cracks (cracks that will not result in structural damage), then widen with time, mainly as a result of water flowing through the cracks. This would allow for mildew and insects to create a habitat.
That being said, it is advisable not to ignore cracks in your buildings. These cracks in buildings can quickly be taken care of by hiring a structural repair specialist.

This article aims to inform you of the causes of structural cracks and how to identify them.

Types of cracks

Before we dive into the crux of this article, it is essential to know the different types of cracks. Cracks can be structural and non-structural, depending on their causes.

Non-structural cracks

Non-structural cracks are cracks in buildings or structures that occur mainly as a result of changes in moisture content and thermal movement. Furthermore, they usually occur where there are openings in the wall. This type of cracks is often narrow (1-2 mm wide), vertical or diagonal, formed on plaster or wall corners, near doors or windows.

Other causes of non-structural cracks include:

• Creep
• Vegetation/Trees
• Shifting or moving foundations
• Settlement
• Hydrostatic pressure

Structural cracks

Structural cracks are cracks in buildings that occur as a result of structural deficiencies like nonsymmetrical loading.

Foundation issues often accompany these cracks, some of these issues are:

• Sticking doors and windows
• Slanted doors
• Sloping floors
• Cracks in porches

This type of cracks is often continuous horizontal cracks along walls or vertical cracks that are wider at the bottom. also, they can be foundation wall cracks, cracks in beams, foundation slabs, angled cracks forming at wall corners with a horizontal crack in the middle and cracks reaching to the top levels of the home.

Causes of structural cracks

Below are some of the leading causes:

• Design deficiency
• Construction deficiency
• Settlement of foundation
• Reinforcement corrosion
• Effect of temperature variation
• Poor soil bearing or overloading
• Swelling of soil below the foundation of the structure

Identification of structural cracks

It is easy to identify structural cracks by physically inspecting the affected structure, taking measurements of the cracks’ diameter and taking note of its location. Moreover, the following characteristics can identify these cracks:

• They have a width of 3mm and above
• They are wider at the bottom
• They could be vertical, horizontal or stair-step shaped
• Linear cracks
• Network of cracks