Shrinkage Shrinkage cracks in a poured concrete foundation can be diagonal or vertical and are usually uniform in width.
Sometimes these cracks have a
V-shape (less frequent), with the top of the crack looking larger and the crack getting smaller as it travels towards to floor and diminishing or stopping
before reaching the bottom of the foundation wall. If the crack reaches the bottom, the crack might damage the building's footings, and the crack might
have a significant impact on the foundation structure.
In poured concrete foundations, shrinkage cracks are usually due to conditions at original construction: poor concrete mix, rapid curing or possibly other
states. In any case, concrete shrinkage causes the concrete to develop internal stresses.
Hairline
Hairline cracks may develop in concrete foundations as the concrete cures. Hairline cracks do not cause problems with the stability of the foundation but
do cause leakage problems. If the cracks appear shortly after pouring the concrete foundation, concrete may have been mixed poorly or poured too quickly.
In poured concrete foundations, hairline crack frequently appear in the center of the walls because the wall corners have greater stability.
Settlement
Settlement cracks may appear when the underlying ground has not been compacted or appropriately prepared or if the subsoil was not of the proper
consistency. A settlement crack may also appear as a random crack above areas where the soil of the subgrade was uneven after the concrete was
poured. Settlement cracks are usually more extensive at the top of the crack than the bottom as the foundation "bends" over a single point, allowing
differential settlement. This type of crack is usually continuous and may occur multiple times in a wall.
Temperature and Shrinkage Horizontal cracks found in the center of the wall are most likely caused by an applied load such as backfill around
foundation compacted improperly or too soon, earth compacting as it settles, hydrostatic pressure against foundation due to high water table and poor
drainage against the foundation wall, or heavy equipment operated too soon or too close to the foundation wall.
Vertical
A vertical foundation crack due to earth loading or frost would be unusual. A more massive vertical crack can occur when the construction contractors
incorrectly prepare the concrete footings and when the wall had poor steel reinforcement as the workers poured the concrete for the wall. Cracks can also
occur during the footing settlement.
Horizontal
Horizontal cracks found in the center of the wall are most likely caused by an applied load such as backfill around foundation compacted improperly or too
soon, earth compacting as it settles, hydrostatic pressure against foundation due to high water table and poor drainage against the foundation wall, or heavy
equipment operated too soon or too close to the foundation wall. Horizontal cracks found high up on the wall are most likely caused by frost damage.
Structural
Structural cracks in residential foundations usually result from horizontal loading or settlement. Most (but not all) structural cracks resulting from an
applied load (hydrostatic pressure or heavy equipment around foundation wall) are nearly horizontal and appear 16" to 48" from the top of the wall. They
are more common in block foundation walls.
Floor
Floor cracks in concrete slabs are relatively common and usually not worrisome on a structural level. They should be repaired to prevent common issues
like moisture, insects, and damage from seeping through. When floor cracks leak, it is usually caused by hydrostatic pressure or a high water table.
Therefore, sealing the crack will redirect those issues elsewhere, so fixing the source of those problems beforehand is recommended.
Diagonal
Settlement usually causes diagonal cracks that are almost the full height of the foundation wall. When there's a settlement problem with footing on one side
of the wall, this settlement can also cause a diagonal crack
Diagonal cracking of concrete beams
Cracks in beams due to increased shear stress
Cracks in concrete beams due to increase in shear stress appears near the support such as wall or column. These cracks are also called as shear crack and
are inclined at 45 degrees with the horizontal. These cracks in beams can be avoided by providing additional shear reinforcements near the support where
the shear stress is maximum. Shear stress is maximum at a distance of d/2 from the support where d is the effective depth of beam.
Cracks due to increased bending stress in beams
Cracks due to increased bending stress in beams appear near the center of span of the beam at an angle of 45 degree with horizontal as the bending moment
is maximum at that point. If the reinforcement provided is insufficient for the load the beam is exposed to, bending stress increases which leads to
increased deflection at the middle span of beam. Cracks due to increased bending moment can be prevented by providing adequate main reinforcement at
the midspan of beam. Care should be taken during design of beam to consider all the probable loads and load combinations for its design. Under-reinforced
section of beam is the main cause of this crack.
Cracks due to compression failure in beams
Cracks due to compression failure in beams appear a the top if the beam is over reinforced. In case of over-reinforcement, the beam has the capacity to
bear higher bending stress, but at the same time, if the top reinforcement provided is insufficient to carry the compressive stress, the top of the beam gets
cracked. This type of failure can be prevented by designing a balanced section in which the capacity of beam in compression is capable of carrying
additional compressive stress.
