Building Inspection Report

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 Building Inspection Report- Cracking
Job No: 1

On: Cracking problem in the college main block

At: College of Engineering Trivandrum

Date of inspection: 01/11/2018

Weather Condition: Cloudy

Client Brief

We are instructed to prepare a report which comments on external cracking problems

Access

Access was available to the exterior walls of the building

Documents

No specific documents were considered for the preparation of this report.

We report as follows: The matters of concern were inspected on the above date

1. Brief Background

It is a 3 storey building which was constructed in 1960. The building has a concrete roof and has wooden
windows. Over the recent years, cracking has opened up in this building. It is due to this reason, this report
has been done.

2. Observations

2.1. Exposed and corroded reinforcements in sunshades.

2.2. Spalling in the underside of sunshades.

2.3. Vertical cracks near columns.

2.4. Flexural shear cracks in one beam.

2.5. Holes in walls.

2.6. Plant growth in beam and wall.

2.7. Dampness

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2.8. Efflorescence

2.9. Carbonation

3. Discussion

The building is situated in a place with heavy seasonal rainfall and high temperatures during the summer
season. The building is 80 years old. The deteriorations observed in building may be due to

3.1. Corrosion of embedded metals

Corrosion of reinforcing steel is one of the frequent causes of damage to concrete. It can lead to
reduction in load carrying capacity of steel. The products of corrosion expand which in turn leads
to cracking and ultimately spalling of concrete.Cracks produced by corrosion generally run in
straight parallel lines at uniform intervals corresponding to spacing of reinforcement. As
deterioration continues spalling of concrete over the reinforcing steel will occur until the rebar
become visible

3.2. Inadequate structural design

The concrete is exposed to greater stress than it is capable of carrying. This may lead to spalling
or cracking.

3.3. Cracking
Cracks may be caused due to various reasons such as accidental loadings, construction or design
errors, chemical reactions and shrinkage associated cracks
3.4. Carbonation
This occurs when carbon dioxide from the air penetrates the concrete and reacts with hydroxides,
such as calcium hydroxide, to form carbonates. In the reaction with calcium hydroxide, calcium
carbonate is formed:
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
This reaction reduces the pH of the pore solution to as low as 8.5, at which level the passive film
on the steel is not stable. Carbonation is generally a slow process. In high-quality concrete, it has
been estimated that carbonation will proceed at a rate up to 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) per year.
Carbonation-induced corrosion often occurs on areas of building facades that are exposed to
rainfall, shaded from sunlight, and have low concrete cover over the reinforcing steel.
3.5. Settlement and movement
As concrete structures are typically rigid, they can tolerate relatively little differential movement.
As the differential movement increases, concrete members may crack or spall.
3.6. Temperature changes
Changes in temperature cause a corresponding change in volume of concrete. Temperature
changes may be due to internally generated (heat of hydration), externally generated (fire or
climatic conditions).

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4. Photographic Records

Holes in wall Plant growth

Spalling on the sides of beam Crack in column- wall interface

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Fungal growth due to penetration of moisture through roof slab

Crack between slab and beam Carbonation induced corrosion of reinforcement

5. Conclusions
Different types of cracks and degradation of concrete were found in the structural members of
administrative main block. None of the cracks were in severe condition and would compromise the
structural integrity of the building as a whole. Only routine maintenance and patch works are required
to rectify the cracks and other degradations.