Concrete blockwork – cracks in the mortar and/or blocks

Causes

No control joints incorporated in wall

Differential settlement of the building caused by swelling/shrinking of clay soils and inadequate foundations and indicated by cracking through the mortar stepped across the face of the wall

Building subjected to vibration movement such as earthquake, high wind

Wall unreinforced

Listed under: Exterior, concrete and cement, concrete blocks, masonry, earthquakes, cladding, foundation walls, walls, wind, mortar, wall cladding, solid concrete blockwork

Cause

No control joints incorporated in wall

Repair

  • monitor crack width for one month
    • if cracking increases, consult a chartered professional engineer
    • if it remains the same, scrape out and seal existing cracks

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Cause

Differential settlement of the building caused by swelling/shrinking of clay soils and inadequate foundations and indicated by cracking through the mortar stepped across the face of the wall

Repair

  • monitor crack width for one month
    • if cracking increases, consult a chartered professional engineer
    • if it remains the same, scrape out and seal existing cracks

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Cause

Building subjected to vibration movement such as earthquake, high wind

Repair

  • monitor crack width for one month
    • if cracking increases, consult a chartered professional engineer
    • if it remains the same, scrape out and seal existing cracks
  • obtain specific advice from a chartered professional engineer on the strengthening options available for an unreinforced concrete block wall system. These are at a high risk of damage in moderate to severe earthquakes.

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Cause

Wall unreinforced

Repair

  • obtain specific advice from a chartered professional engineer on the strengthening options available for an unreinforced concrete block wall system. These are at a high risk of damage in moderate to severe earthquakes.

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