Cracking: Cause and Effect: Is that crack shrinkage, settlement, or an acute structural problem?
The Need & Risks in Concrete Damage
Every architect, contractor or project developer in the Benelux knows that a concrete structure will never be completely free of cracks. The crucial question is not whether cracks will form, but what the cause is and what the impact is on structural safety. The severity of a superficial crack caused by shrinkage is often wrongly underestimated, and sometimes overestimated.
Without an accurate and independent diagnosis, you run unnecessary risks: costly hasty repairs, or worse, ignoring a critical failure or future durability problems. In this article, we highlight the essential differences between the most common types of cause concrete cracks shrinkage settlement structurally and why the expertise of BETONexpertise is indispensable in this.
The Three Main Types: Shrinkage, Settlement and Structural Causes.
Classification of a crack is the first and most critical step in any repair plan. It requires specialized knowledge to correlate the nature of the crack with its time of onset, width, progression and activity.
1. Shrinkage cracks
Shrinkage cracks are often the least structurally threatening, but they do create entry points for corrosion. They usually occur shortly after the concrete is poured.
Plastic Shrinkage: Occurs in the first few hours after pouring due to rapid surface water evaporation. The cracks are typically shallow, wide on the surface, and irregular.
Drying shrinkage: Occurs over time as the hardened concrete continues to dry out and shrink. This often results in a pattern following the reinforcement or around corners.
2. Cracks due to Subsidence (Subsoil or Foundation).
This type of crack is usually much more troubling and indicates movement or uneven loading of the substrate.
Uneven Settlement: Caused by differences in subsurface bearing capacity or failure of foundation piles.
Characteristic: Often diagonal or vertical cracks of greater width, running through several building layers or over the full height of a wall.
3. Structural Cracks (Design and Overload).
These cracks are the most acute and require immediate action, as they directly compromise bearing capacity and safety.
Design flaws: Cracks in places where the reinforcement is insufficient, or where excessive tensile stress occurs.
Overloading: Caused by unforeseen or excessive loading at critical points, resulting in wide, deep cracks in stress concentration areas.
The Crucial Diagnosis: Why You Can NOT Determine the Cause Yourself
Determining the cause of concrete cracks: shrinkage, settlement or structural is a complex analysis that goes beyond a visual inspection. It is the determination of whether the crack is passive (stopped moving) or active (still developing), which is critical to the repair choice (e.g., injection versus structural reinforcement). The assessment also takes into account the age of the structure, as well as the time or phase in which the cracking is believed to have occurred.
Our Core Message: Readers can NOT perform the examinations and diagnoses themselves. The expertise and independence of BETONexpertise are necessary.
BETONexpertise's independent experts use advanced techniques beyond the naked eye:
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Measurements such as ultrasonic or radar (GPR) equipment to determine the depth of the crack, analyze the quality and homogeneity of the concrete, and map the location of the reinforcement.
Crack monitoring: placement of micrometers or digital measuring devices to record crack activity over time.
Laboratory analyses: Determination of crack depth, compressive strength, carbonation depth, and other material properties via drill cores.
These methods allow us to determine the underlying cause with scientific accuracy, which forms the basis for a sustainable recovery plan. Learn more about our diagnostic methods on our services page on crack repair.
From Diagnosis to Structural Certainty
Correct diagnosis prevents unnecessary and expensive interventions. Sealing a shrinkage crack with epoxy may suffice, but a structural crack may require complete reinforcement or removal of the overburden.
As a leading independent service provider,BETONexpertise guarantees an objective assessment. We provide you with the facts and the corresponding, optimized remedial advice to ensure the safety and sustainability of your project.
Conclusion
Cracking is a warning signal that should never be ignored. Guessing whether a crack is harmless is an irresponsible risk to the safety and value of your investment.
Acute structural problem suspected? Request an urgent crack diagnosis and structural analysis.
Leave the classification and analysis of your concrete cracks to the independent experts at BETONexpertise. Contact us for an accurate and authoritative damage diagnosis.
