Investigation Into The Causes, Effect And Prevention Of Cracks In Building

Investigation into the causes, effects and prevention of crack in building, cracks this is a kind of defects that occur into building structure which rendered building unsightly and reduces building stabilities. Cracks may be of structural failure or non-structural problem which may act slightly, moderate or several. 

They are save or dangerous depending on the size and characteristics of each i.e. 0-3-1.00, 1-2,  2-5,5-15 and 15-25 (mm) respectively survey of building were made in some selected area in Ilorin west L.G.A Ilorin, were aerial photographs were taken, site investigation were made in some selected areas. Cracks in building could be as a result of use of poor materials, inappropriate mix ratio, poor workmanship, lack of soil test, foundation settlement, poor supervision, environmental problems faulty construction, faulty design and overloading, non-structural crack are mostly due to internally induced stresses in building but may look unsightly or may create an impression of instability or faulty work in some situation due to penetration of moisture through them, non structural cracks may spoil the internal finishing which thus adding to the cost of maintenance or corrode the reinforcement thereby adversely affecting the stability of the structure in long run e.g vertical crack in a long compound wall due to shrinkage or thermal movement. 

Crack may appreciably vary in width from thin hair crack barely visible to naked eye to gaping crack depending upon the crack width,a crack are classified. Research shows that some of the problem of crack in Ilorin west here are due to lack of maintenance and negligence i.e allowing vegetative growth near structures which will be treating the structure, allowing unnecessary water to lodge at the base of structure. 

All these problem could be control by adequate maintenance professional advise and involvement in all project, been it new construction or renovation and vegetation should be control not only for constructional problem but heath wise, security conscious and social befitting.