Types of Cracks in reinforced Concrete Column

Splitting Cracks:

This type of crack occurs due to load carrying capacity of the column reaches to its maximum.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
Reinforced Concrete Diagonal Runs diagonally Load carrying capacity of the
across the section. column is inadequate
Column
Can occur anywhere Cross-section or main
in the height. reinforcement is insufficient
Uniform thickness

Horizontal Cracks:

Crack Important
Member Possible Reasons
Type Characteristics
Reinforced Horizontal Occurs near Moment resistance capacity of column
beam-column inadequate in the corresponding
Concrete Column junction. region.
Inadequate quantum of reinforcement
or disposition of reinforcement not
satisfactory.

Corrosion Cracks:

These types of cracks expands with time.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
Reinforced Corrosion Runs along the line of Bond between reinforcing bars
reinforcement. and concrete not satisfactory.
Concrete Column
Uniform width in May be due to corrosion of bars
general

Types of Cracks in reinforced Concrete Column

Flexure Cracks:

Flexure word also means Bending. Cracking in reinforced concrete beams subjected to bending
usually starts in the tensile zone i.e. soffit of the beam. Width of flexural cracks in short-term, may
stay narrow from surface to the steel. However, in long-term under continuous loading, width of
crack may get increased and become more uniform across the member.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Flexure Originates in maximum moment region Flexural capacity of the
(in above image this region is in centre beam is inadequate.
Beam of the beam, it varies as per support
When Cross section of the
Conditions of beam)
beam or main
May be single or in groups reinforcement in beam is
insufficient.
Maximum width at bottom/top of
beam i.e. it is loaded more than
defined loads.

Shear Cracks:

Shear cracks occurs in hardened stage and it is usually caused by structural (self weight) loading or
movement. These types of cracks are better illustrates as diagonal tension cracks due to combined
effects of flexural (bending) & shearing action.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Shear Originates nearer to supports. Shear Capacity of the beam is
inadequate.
May be single or in groups.
Beam
Cross section or torsional
Maximum width at neutral axis
reinforcement insufficient.
region or at bottom of beam.
Both here happen due to loading
more than designed load.

Torsional Cracks:

Usually beams are subjected to torsion along with bending moment and shear force. Bending
moment & shear force occurs as loads acts normal to the plane of bending. However, loads away
from the bending plane will causes torsional movement.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Torsional Originates nearer to maximum Torsional strength of the
torsion region. beam is inadequate.
Beam
Single generally uniform width. Cross-section or torsional
Appears over the whole periphery in reinforcement insufficient.
helical form.
Corrosion Cracks:

Corrosion cracks runs along the line of reinforcement. It usually separates the concrete from
reinforcing bars. It is mostly manifested by discolouration of paint or stains of rust.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Corrosion Runs along the line of Bond between reinforcing bars and
reinforcement. concrete not satisfactory.
Beam
Uniform width in general May be due to corrosion of bars/fire
damage.

Shrinkage Cracks:

Shrinkage cracks occurs during two stages, which are pre-hardening stage and hardened stage. In
pre-hardening stage these types of cracks are called as plastic shrinkage cracks & in hardened stage
they are known as drying shrinkage cracks. Shrinkage cracks occur when fresh concrete is subjected
to a very rapid loss of moisture.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Shrinkage No regular pattern or thickness Curing is inadequate or no
and in general superficial. control over water-cement ratio.
Beam
Usage of excessively rich mix.
Shrinkage reinforcement, if any,
insufficient.

Sliding Cracks:

The diagonal mode of failure by sliding along the critical cracks is known as failure by sliding and
usually appears at the edge of the supports of beam. These types of cracks appear if concrete gets
disturbed in fresh state.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC Sliding Runs vertically at the Concrete in beam is disturbed at an early age
edge of supports. when adequate strength not realised.
Beam
Maximum width at May be due to disturbance of formwork at
bottom of beam. green stage or early deshuttering.

Tension Cracks:

Tension cracks in reinforced concrete beams occur usually due to shrinkage or temperature
variations. Tension cracks usually appear in those members where restraint is provided in the
longitudinal movements. Usually tension cracks tend to propagate over the full depth of the cross-
section of beam.

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
Reinforced Tension Appear over whole periphery. Capacity of the member
Generally over the whole length in tension is inadequate.
Concrete Tie of the member.
Tensile reinforcement is
Parallel to each other. insufficient.
Uniformly observed.

Types of Cracks in reinforced Concrete Slab

Plastic Settlement:

Member Crack Type Important Characteristics Possible Reasons

Trough and Plastic Appear when there is change of Excess bleeding
depth Rapid early drying
waffle slab Settlement condition

Plastic Shrinkage:

Crack
Member Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Type
RC slab Plastic Appear over reinforcement or Ditto plus steel near
random place in slab surface
Shrinkage Rapid early drying
condition
Low rate of bleeding

Early Thermal Contraction:

Member Crack Type Important Characteristics Possible Reasons

Thick Slab Early Appear at internal restraint Excess temperature
subdivision gradients
Thermal Rapid cooling

Contraction

Long-term Drying Shrinkage:

 Member Crack Type Important Characteristics Possible Reasons
Thin Slab Long-term Inefficient joints
Excessive shrinkage
Drying inefficient curing

Shrinkage

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