Deterioration in masonary works

Concrete as well as masonry work can also crack and cause structural failure. Cracks can occur due to high ambient temperature, low humidity, improper curing, poor quality and wrong combination of materials and above all poor workmanship.

Vertical cracks in brickwork can occur due to foundation movement, thermal movement, overloading, drying shrinkage, differential expansion between different members, shrinkage etc. These cracks are usually located at corners, under window openings, around stairwells, between junctions. At the junction of old structures and new extensions, reinforced cement concrete (RCC) columns or lintels and masonry works etc.

Horizontal cracks usually occur at the bottom of the slab, at the surface of the lintel or at the surface of the sill, at mortar joints, at corners, etc. The main causes of horizontal cracks are shrinkage, lifting of slabs, horizontal movement due to thermal gradient. , drying shrinkage, differential expansion, chemical attack, aging, etc.

Diagonal cracks can occur at the corners, especially along the cross walls up to the foundations, above RCC lintels etc. Dry shrinkage, differential stress, movement of moisture in the soil, etc. are some of the reasons that cause diagonal cracks.