Masonry walls have long been recommended for their durability and aesthetic appeal, but their inherent nature makes them prone to cracking.
Over time, various techniques have been developed and employed to prevent the occurrence of cracks and ensure a building's structural integrity.
Statistics from the Institution of Engineers Kenya (IEK) in April 2023 disclosed that only 15 per cent of buildings in the country were safe, according to an inspection report prepared by National Building Inspectorate (NBI).
Kenyans.co.ke compiled three major reasons for masonry wall cracks and how best to prevent them.
Trees and Drains
Roots from trees that grow near a building are likely to cause the wall to crack, owing to the interference with the drain leading to a crevice.
According to Nitterhouse Masonry Products Limited, a building drain is the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system that receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes.
During construction, make sure a root barrier should be placed around the foundation of the house before construction starts or trees near the foundation should be cleared before construction, according to Constructor, a resource journal for civil engineers.
Thermal Differential
The thermal differential is cracks caused by the expansion and contraction of construction materials at different rates caused by temperature and moisture content.
These cracks result from construction materials using different elements and compounds.
To prevent cracking, Nitterhouse advises, “Place expansion joints at the junction of walls with different environmental or climatic exposures or support conditions.”
High-stress concentration areas
These are areas in a building where cracking is likely to occur, mostly including sharp corners in a load path.
While building or reinforcing a house, it is advisable to prioritise joint expansion placement in areas of high-stress concentration.
It is not recommended to start at a corner and place joints at the typical spacing around the building perimeter.
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