Abstract
With the advancement of construction technology, concrete members have become the predominant structural form in buildings. However, most ordinary concrete members operate in a cracked state, and the causes of crack formation are multifaceted. Therefore, classifying cracks based on their causes and implementing rational crack control measures are of paramount importance for ensuring the safety of building structures and people's production and livelihood activities.
With the widespread application of reinforced concrete members in buildings and the popularization of ready-mixed concrete, the probability of cracking in structures has increased, attracting growing attention. The factors contributing to cracks in building members are complex, encompassing material properties, environmental temperature variations, as well as challenges in structural design, construction, and service conditions. The structural characteristics of construction materials during concrete placement also predispose members to cracking. In practice, the likelihood of concrete cracking in building construction is substantial. Although a considerable proportion of cracks pose no significant threat to the load-bearing capacity and normal serviceability of structures, their presence jeopardizes the overall integrity, safety, and durability of buildings, and can cause severe corrosion of steel reinforcement, representing a major potential hazard for stress concentration during the loaded service life. Consequently, attention must be devoted at all levels to minimize crack occurrence or confine cracks within permissible limits specified in engineering design. This article will address the classification and formation mechanisms of concrete cracks, elaborate on crack control methods from different perspectives, and present several commonly employed crack control measures.
Full Text
A Preliminary Analysis of Crack Control in Building Structures
Lin Haibo1
China Railway 16th Bureau Group No.1 Engineering Co., Ltd., Beijing 101399
Abstract
With the advancement of construction technology, concrete components have emerged as the predominant structural form in modern buildings. However, most conventional concrete members inherently operate in a cracked state, with numerous potential causes for crack formation. Consequently, the systematic classification of cracks based on their underlying causes, coupled with the implementation of rational control measures, holds profound significance for ensuring the safety of building structures and safeguarding public welfare.
The extensive adoption of reinforced concrete components in construction, together with the widespread use of ready-mixed concrete, has led to an increased incidence of cracking—a phenomenon that has garnered substantial attention. Crack formation in structural members arises from complex, multifactorial origins, including material properties, environmental temperature fluctuations, as well as challenges spanning architectural design, construction practices, and service conditions. The inherent characteristics of concrete as a construction material further predispose structural members to cracking. Indeed, the probability of crack development during construction remains considerable. While a substantial proportion of cracks may not significantly compromise the load-bearing capacity or normal serviceability of structures, their presence jeopardizes overall structural integrity and long-term durability, accelerates steel reinforcement corrosion, and creates critical stress concentration hazards throughout the service life. Therefore, comprehensive attention across all stages is imperative to either minimize crack occurrence or confine crack widths within the allowable limits prescribed by engineering design.
This paper systematically examines the classification of concrete cracks and their formation mechanisms, elaborates on control methodologies tailored to different causal factors, and proposes several commonly adopted crack control measures.
Keywords: building engineering; crack causes; preventive measures; treatment methods