Shelters are the protective covers for human beings and their belongings. The walls that make a house or a commercial site are usually made of concrete. As a matter of fact, any asset can be subjected to wear and tear. Cracks can appear in the concrete walls due to various reasons of which a few are listed below. This is why it is important to get the patching cracks in concrete done to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
- Shrinkage
- Temperature changes
- Chemical reaction
- Poor construction work
- Corrosion
- Overloading
- Frost heaving
- Elastic deformation
Shrinkage: Over time, the concrete’s composition gets decreased due to dryness shrinkage. Such a condition leads to the development of tensile stresses in the matter.
Temperature changes: The volume of concrete can vary with the changes in temperature. Thus causing expansion in the tensile strain capacity which ultimately leads to the creation of cracks in the material.
Chemical reaction: Cement has alkaline nature; it can react with atmospheric carbon dioxide and promote the increased volume of the material which will eventually create cracks in the matter.
Poor construction work: One major reason for poor-quality walls is the improper completion of the construction work. Partial curing, usage of low-grade material, poor compaction, misplacement of construction joints are some causes of the appearance of cracks.
Corrosion: Rusting iron rails, steel rebar have the capacity to eat away the concrete. These smaller cracks can develop into large ones by allowing water to leak on the slab surface.
Overloading: Heavy overload can lead to the development of cracks on the solid platform. This can be avoided if the chosen contractor is aware of the correct PSI.
Frost heaving: The drop in temperatures can assist the ground moisture to expand which will disturb the top layer. The repetition of this freezing cycle can pave way for the creation of cracks on the surface.
Elastic deformation: The various components of a dwelling can experience elastic deformation post loading. This process of deformation usually takes place when poor quality matter like bricks, concrete blocks and cement are used.
From the above, it can be noted that corrosion, frost heaving, elastic deformation, shrinkage, overloading, poor construction work, temperature changes and chemical reactions are the common causes of the appearance of cracks in concrete. It can seem simple or harmless to spot uneven breaks in walls, but such ignored issues can lead to catastrophic results. This is why every property owner must ensure to get the concerns addressed to have a peaceful and additional-expense-free life.
