CONSTRUCTION & MATERIAL

DEFECTS IN BUILDINGS & REMEDIES.

Submitted By- Kirtika Gupta

B.arch 4th Yr. 8th Semester
INTRODUCTION-
DEFINITION:
Construction defects usually include any deficiency in the performing of the
design, planning, supervision, inspection.

Basically, most of the defects are created

from:

 The applications of forces.

 The effects of materials.
 The effects of biological agents.
 Changes in temperature.

Those factors may lead to:

 Changes in the construction, ranging from slight

cracking not affecting stability to complete
destruction.
 Changes in shape, size or weight.
 Changes in appearance, including colour.
 THE COMMON DEFECTS IN THE BUILDINGS
1. ARE:-

2. CRACKS

DAMPNESS
CRACKS :-
 Cracks in building are a common occurrence and it is important to
 understand the causes and the measures to be taken for their
prevention.
 Tensile stress are produced due to restraint to contraction
movements.

 If these stresses exceed the tensile or shear strength of the

material cracks develop.

 In a tropical country like India, there is a large variation of

atmospheric temperature and humidity, hence it would
necessary to avoid materials which expand or contract
considerably due to thermal and moisture movements.

 And design of the structure is so that to minimize restraint to

contraction or expansion of the material.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRACKS (BASED ON WIDTH)

THIN < 1 MM

MEDIUM 1 MM-2 MM

WIDE > 2 MM

COMMON SIGHT OF CRACKS

VERTICAL STRAIGHT UNIFORM
THROUGHT
HORIZONTAL TOOTHED NARROW AT ONE
END
DIAGONAL STEPPED GRADUALLY WIDE
AT THE OTHER END.
MAP PATTERN
RANDOM
CATEGORY OF CRACKS IN BUILDING-
The defect can be divided into two categories, which are:
STRUCTURAL CRACKS-

STRUCTRAL DEFECTS CAN BE CASUED AS

 Incorrect design
 Overloading of the structural components
 Overloading of the soil
 Extensive cracking of foundation walls, beams
columns or slabs etc. A example of structural
cracks.

NON-STRUCTURAL CRACKS- STRUCTURAL CRACKS

NON STRUCTURAL CRACKS ARE

GENERALLY DUE TO-
 Internal force development
 Which causes changing in the size of building
components
 Also due to moisture variation, the effects of
gases, liquids and solids
NON- STRUCTURAL CRACKS
PRINCIPLE CAUSES OF CRACKS-
 MAIN CAUSES OF OCCURRENCE OF CRACKS IN
BUILDINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 DRYING SHRINKAGE

 THERMAL MOVEMENT

 ELASTIC DEFORMATION

 CREEP

 CHEMICAL REACTION

 FOUNDATION MOVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF SOIL.

 GROWTH OF VEGETATION.
DRYING SHRINKAGE-

 Drying shrinkage is defined as the contracting of a hardened

concrete mixture due to capillary water, this causes an increase
in tensile stress which may lead to cracking and warping.

 FACTOR CAUSING DRYING SHRINKAGE

 Cement and water content,
 Maximum size, grading and quality of aggregates,
 Presence of excessive fine in aggregates,
 Chemical composition of cement,
 Temperature of fresh concrete and relative humidity of
surroundings.

THERMAL MOVEMENT-
 All materials more or less expand on heating and contract on
cooling .

 The thermal movement depends on a number of factors such as

temperature variations, dimensions, coefficient of thermal
expansion and some other physical properties of materials..

 It is mainly the external walls especially thin walls

exposed to direct solar radiation.
 It can be avoided by introducing expansion joint,
control joints and slip joints.
ELASTIC DEFORMATION-
 The temporary change in length, volume or shape produced in a
elastic substance by a stress
 Structural components of a building undergo elastic deformation due to
dead load and the live loads.
 When the walls are unevenly loaded with wide variations in stresses in
different parts, excessive shear stress is developed which causes
cracking in walls.

CREEP
 Creep is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform Buckling of slander columns
permanently under the influence of mechanical stresses. Due to creep

 It can occur as a result of long term exposure to high levels of stress

that are
still below the yield strength of the material.
FACTORS AFFECTING CREEP
 Relative humidity.
 Size of member.
 Applied stresses

 EFFECTS OF CREEP:-
 Increasing the deflection in larger span beams.
 Buckling of slander columns
 Buckling of cladding in tall buildings
 CHEMICAL REACTIONS-

 Certain chemical reactions in building materials results in

appreciable increase in volume of materials. The materials taking part
in reaction also become weak and lose strength .
 Common instances of chemical reaction are:-
 Sulphate attack on cement products.
 Carbonation of reinforcement and brickwork, and
 Alkali-aggregate reaction.

• FOUNDATION MOVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT

OF SOIL-
 Shear cracks in buildings occur when there is large differential
settlement of foundation due to one of the following causes:
 Unequal bearing pressure under different parts of the structure,
 Bearing pressure being in excess of bearing strength of the soil,
 Low factor of safety in the design of foundations,
 Local variations in the nature of supporting soil, which remained
undetected and

• could not be taken care of in the foundation design at the

construction.
GROWTH OF VEGETATION
 Roots of a tree generally spread horizontally on all sides to the
extent of height of the tree above the ground and when trees are
located in the vicinity of a wall, these should be viewed with
suspicion
 They can cause cracks in walls due to expansive action of
roots growing under the foundation.

• GENERAL MEASURES FOR

AVOIDANCE OF VEGITATION-
 Do not let trees grow too close to buildings, compounds walls,
etc. If any saplings of trees start growing in fissures of walls
etc. remove them at the earliest opportunity.
 If some large trees exist close to a building and these are not
causing any problem, as far as possible, do not disturb these
trees if soil under the foundation happens to be shrinkable
clay.
 If from any site intended for new construction, vegetation including
trees have been removed and the soil is shrinkable clay, do not
commence construction activity on that soil until it undergone
expansion and stabilized after absorbing moisture in at least one
rainy season.
DESIGN DEFICIENCES-

 Problems are typically encountered with roof systems,

ROOFING
which due to their design complexity, pitched or flat, are PROBLEMS
prone to leaks.

MATERIAL DEFICIENCES-
DESIGN DEFICIENCIES.
 Deteriorating flashing,
 Building paper,
 Waterproofing membranes,
 Asphalt roofing shingles,
 Particle board,
 Inferior drywall
 Other wall products used in wet and/or damp areas,
such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.

MATERIAL DEFICIENCIES.
WORKMANSHIP DEFICIENCES-

 Workmanship defects typically result from the contractor’s

failure
 follow the construction documents, industry quality
standard practices, or the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
 Workmanship defects can include improper soil
compaction, concrete finishing, weatherproofing systems,
WORKMANSHIP DEFICIENCIES.
SOME MORE CAUSES OF OCCURANCE OF
CRACKS-
 IMPROPER DESIGN POOR WORKMANSHIP THAT LEADS TO
POOR FINISHING QUALITY

 IMPROPER MEANS OR METHODS OF INSTALLATION

 IMPROPER OR POOR QUALITY OF THE MATERIALS

 DEFECTIVE MATERIAL OR POOR MATERIAL PERFORMANCE

 EROSION OF MORTAR

 PEELING PAINT

 CRACKING OF WALLS / LEANING WALLS

 UNSTABLE FOUNDATIONS

 ROOF DEFECTS

 . HONEYCOMBING

 DAMPNESS
 1. CRACKS IN BRICKWORK

CAUSES
 This is the lack of tying in of brickwork.
 Wall has been constructed and not tied into
the adjoining brickwork
 Case a half brick has been cut and abuts the
joining wall
 There is no form of tying in of the brickwork,
nor fixing
REMEDY
 By construction of the two brick walls at the
same time with the brickwork being
interlocked

2. DEFECTIVE FLASHING

CAUSES
 Flashings to the base of the cavity have been
installed.
 These flashings are designed to collect any
water entry to the
 Building and discharge it to the outside

REMEDY
 The flashing in this case should have been
turned up at the ends to prevent the leaks at
the door sill.
 3. DIAGONAL CRACKS IN BRICK WALLS

CAUSES
 .Differential settlement of foundation due to expansion of
clayey soil by absorption of moisture.
 This may happen when the rain water finds entry in soil or if
a tree is cut suddenly in the vicinity of structure so that the
soil which was earlier dehydrated by the tree again absorbs
moisture and swells.

REMEDY
 Adequate plinth protection and drainage arrangement should
be made around the building to minimize water entry in the
foundation.

4. HORIZONTAL CRACKS IN BRICK MORTAR

JOINTS

CAUSES
 Weakening of mortar due to sulphate attack. these
cracks normally occur after 2-3yrs of construction as the
reaction is slow.

REMEDY
 Sulphate contents of the bricks should be
checked before allowing their use.
 Brick walls should not be allowed to be damp
because
Sulphate attack happens only in presence of
moisture.
 The correct remedy is to reconstruct the affected
areas.
 5. RANDOM CRACKS IN FLORRING

CAUSES
• .Flooring has been cast continuously without making
panels.
• Cracks occur due to development of tensile stresses on
account of shrinkage and thermal contraction of
concrete & occur mostly in the first dry spell.

REMEDY
 Cast flooring in panels do adequate curing in the
initial period of hardening of concrete.

6. ROOF DEFECT

CAUSES
 Concrete not cast properly and mixing and compacting
not done uniformly and properly.

REMEDY
Apply water proofing coating over the concrete slab.
 7. HORIZONTAL CRACKS BETWEEN BRICK PARAPET
WALL AND ROOF SLAB

CAUSES
 Due to thermal expansion and arching of slab ,it is not free to expand .This
situation mainly occurs in case of non projecting slab.
 Differential thermal expansion and contraction and differential drying
shrinkage of R.C.C slab & brick wall.
REMEDIES

 Make parapet wall a little inside of the edge of slab so that crack wont be
visible.
 Providing a groove in plaster at the junction of parapet wall and slab so that
crack forms in the groove and doesn’t look unsightly

8. VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL CRACK IN PANEL WALL

IN R.C.C FRAMED STRUCTURE

CAUSES
 Panels wall too lightly built to the R.C.C. beams so that the beams are not
free to deflect ,load is transmitted the wall and vertical and horizontal
cracks are produced in the depending upon the direct in which wall is more
slender (i.e. height and length)

REMEDIES
 Some gap should be left between top of panel wall and soffit beam /slab so
that beam can deflect freely.
 This gap can be fill by weak mortar .
 9. CRACKS IN LOAD BEARING MASONRY WALL
BELOW R.C.C SLAB

CAUSES

Due to absence of slip joint between RCC slab and wall which
doesn’t allow RCC slab to move freely over wall leads to cracking
in the wall.
Sometimes the movements of the slab may also cause cracking in
the wall.
Sometimes the movement of the slab may also cause cracking in
masonry at lintel and window sill level because here the masonry is
weak.
These cracks are observed mainly on top most storey of the bldg.,
because roof is more exposed to temperature variation.
REMIDIES
 Before casting RCC slab over bricks wall, smooth bearing plaster
should be done over brick walls coupled with white
wash/bitumen coating over it.
 It allows slab to move freely over wall
 10 .DIAGONAL CRACKS IN WALL OVER R.C.C.
LINTELS.

CAUSES
• Due to drying shrinkage of lintels and sudden deflection of
lintels after removal of shuttering.

REMIDIES
• Use precast lintels as far as possible for small openings.
•Construct brick wall over lintel after it has undergone
considerable shrinkage.

•Construct brick wall over

lintel after shuttering
below it is removed so that
it doesn't undergo sudden
deflection with the
construction of brick wall
over it.
 GENERAL MEASURES FOR PROTECTION OF CRACKS..

The measures for prevention of cracks could be broadly grouped under the
following main subheads :-

Selection of materials:-
Good quality of building materials according to the specification if used that will minimize the
cracks in the building.

b)Specifications for mortar and concrete:-

The ratio of the mortar and concrete should be according to the prescribed design. Care should be
taken that the coarse aggregate, fine aggregate should be free from silt suspended impurities and
the mix should be homogeneous, well mixed and contain no excessive of water.

c) Drawing and Design of the building:-

While doing the construction work care should be taken that foundation of the building should not
be laid on loose /muddy soil. The mortar, M S steel reinforcement should be according to the
design.

d) Good Construction practices:-

It is necessary that work proceed uniformly in all part of building. The workmanship should be
according to the prescribed norms and best practice in the building construction

e)Weather Effect:-
The construction work should be avoided in very hot and dry weather, and during very low
temperature also.
.
 DEFECTS DUE TO DAMPNESS-
 Penetrating damp is the most common form of dampness in buildings.
Dampness occurs as a result of water egressing horizontally through gaps in
the building structure.
 Rising damp describes the action of ground moisture rising up a masonry wall
by capillary action.
 It potentially occurs where there is no damp-proof course (DPC) or where the
DPC has been damaged or bridged. Theoretically, moisture can rise up the
wall to a height of a meter.
 "Rising Damp" is most often caused by damp penetration which is then
absorbed by the plaster which is highly absorbent and due to the chemical
reactions taking place inside the wall
 SYMPTOMS-
 Dampness tends to cause secondary damage to a building.
 The unwanted moisture enables the growth of various fungi in wood, causing
rot.
 Plaster and paint deteriorate and wallpaper loosens.
 Stains, from the water, salts and from mold, mar surfaces.
 Externally, mortar may crumble and salt stains may appear on the walls.
 Steel & iron fasteners rust.
 It may also cause respiratory illness in occupants.
 In extreme cases, mortar or plaster may fall away from the affected wall.
 The cracks developed as even and uniformly spread throughout
 IDENTIFICATION OF DAMP PROBLEMS-
Roof defects such as faulty flashing, cracked
or missing slates or tiles.
Faults in the brickwork or masonry such as
missing
or stones.or cracked pointing. Porous bricks
Missing or defective mastic around windows
and doors.
Blocked weep holes.
Missing or defective trays in cavity walls.
Condensation.
Damp proof membrane or Damp Proof
course been buried by later building
activities

TREATMENT-
The cause of the dampness must first be
eliminated,
fixing by pipes.
leaking providing
We better
can drainage
also install ora
physical or chemical DPC.
Then, any affected plaster or mortar must be
removed,
replacing and
the the andwall
plaster treated, before
repainting.
Proper DPC must be provided and all the
joints must be properly sealed
 7. WATER ENTERING THROUGH DOORS
AND WINDOWS OF THE BUILDING AND
CAUSING DAMPNESS INSIDE THE
BUILDING

CAUSES
 Chajjas not provided over doors and windows
 Stilts not provided at the bottom of door on the outside
 Floor not sloping away from external door
 There is gap between door /window frames and jambs
.

REMEDY
 Provide chajjas over doors and windows
 Gaps between doors/windows frame and jambs
should be properly sealed through sealant.
 Rubber gasket/beading should be provided on edge
of door/ window shutters if you want a perfect leak
proof door/ window.
 Glazed windows should always open outside and not
inside the room
 8. SEEPAGE IN THE WALLS OF TOILET
ABOVE TOILET FLOOR LEVEL

CAUSES

 Leakage in water supply lines which are concealed in the

walls.
REMEDY
 Make a chase in the wall along the route of water lines
in the toilet/bathroom and expose these lines at the
location+ of dampness . Then examine them for leakage.
 2. In extreme cases some pipe piece can also be
found cracked rusted (specially when pipes have
become quite old) which should be replaced.

9 . SEEPAGE IN THE CEILING BELOW

ROOF SLAB IN THE CORNERS ALONG
JUNCTION OF WALL AND SLAB.

CAUSES
Since the parapet load is low, the roof slab bends to lift
at its corners due to deflection causing crack..
Since the parapet load is low, slab is also able to
REMEDY
 By making brick or concrete cornier at the bottom
of parapet wall and making drip mould in it
 . By extending roof slab itself by 2” to 3” beyond the
load bearing. wall and making a drip mould at the
bottom
10. DAMPNESS IN THE CEILING BELOW ROOF
SLAB/TERRACES/BALCONIES

CAUSES

 Roof slopes not proper.

water stagnates at some
points.
 Rain water pipe choked.
So water collects around
that location and
gradually seeps below in
the roof.
 Overhead tank not water proofed so water
seeps from it through its pillars to the roof
slab.
 Area around overhead water tank at roof not properly
cleaned. so some vegetation starts growing due to dampness
and makes its way through the roofing from where water
also seeps.

REMEDY
 Correct the roof slopes wherever required by putting screed
concrete and put adequate no. of rain water pipes.
 Water proofing should be done under the overhead tank on
roof
.
DEFECTIVE PLASTER RENDERING
• Defective rendering are normally caused by biological attacks arising from
penetrating rain, evaporation, condensation, air pollution, dehydration and
thermal stress.

• The mould or harmful growth, insect, animals, and traffic vibration also will
contribution causes of defective plaster rendering.

• TYPES OF DEFECTIVE PLASTER RENDERING

• a) Cracking in Plastering

• b) Holes in Plaster wall

• c) Plaster falling off from ceiling

• . d) Shrinkage Cracking

• CAUSES OF DEFECTIVE OF PLASTER RENDERING AS FOLLOWS:

• Loss of bond between coats

• Surface cracking

• Water damage

• Movement of structure

• Chemical attack

• Popping or pitting
ROOF DEFECT
• Roof defect are divided into structural faults and defect in
the waterproofing material. The majority of roof defect that
occurs is distortion of either the roof or of the wall at roof
level

• The pitch roof sagging result is from the slating or tilling that
has dished appearance, and the ridge may also have sagged.

WHILE THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF

ROOFING DEFECTS, MOST ARE KNOWN TO BE
CAUSES BY:

• Improper installation

• Poor workmanship

• Defective material

PEELING PAINT-
• Peeling paint is always the result of poor surface
preparation.

• The majority of peeling paint problems occurs on

surfaces exposed to the rain, sun, and the variation
degree of temperature

• It happens when new plastered or skimmed walls or

ceiling are not given enough time to completely dry
before painting.
CONCRETE CREEP
 It is the property of concrete by which it continues to
deform with time under sustained stress. the total
deformation of concrete element can be divided into
two parts:

 An initial, instantaneous deformation at an

application of load.
 A time dependent deformation due to creep.

REMEDY

. Design the structure with a mind to the degree of

restraint during drying or cooling of the concrete.
 . Pre stress wherever feasible.

CORROSION OF THE REINFORCEMENT

• Corrosion of steel bars is due to oxygen and moisture.

•Any common steel will corrode slowly when exposed

to the air with no protection.

•when ordinary steel is used to in concrete, it automatically

protected from corrosion by means of:
THANKYOU