Crack shapes

Structure · Problems · printed page 36 (PDF page 37)

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Book index entries

Building Crack Shapes Crack Shapes Wall – Crack Shapes Footings – and Foundations Foundation – and Footing

Text in the illustration

V-cracks often indicate heaving and may be accompanied by crushing of material at the cracks
if two diagonal cracks form a pyramid, the pyramid is likely dropping

Generated explanation

Two schematic wall elevations illustrate stepped diagonal crack patterns associated with different directions of movement. On the left, cracks descend toward the bottom center to form a V, with an upward arrow indicating heaving; the annotation notes that material may be crushed at the cracks. On the right, two diagonal cracks rise toward the center to outline a pyramid-shaped lower section, with a downward arrow indicating that this section is likely dropping. The diagrams show crack geometry and movement direction without detailing wall construction or footings.

Components

walls cracked wall sections

Defects shown

V-shaped stepped wall cracks pyramid-shaped diagonal wall cracks wall heaving downward movement of a wall section possible crushing of material at cracks