Foundation movement associated with horizontal cracks

Structure · Problems · printed page 39 (PDF page 40)

Book index entries

Cracks – Horizontal in Foundations Foundation – Horizontal Cracks Horizontal Cracks – on Foundations Footings – and Foundations Foundation – and Footing

Text in the illustration

horizontal foundation cracks are often accompanied by bowing, bulging or leaning
bulging
lateral thrust
outside
inside
horizontal crack
foundation wall
bowing
leaning
footing
the cracks tend to die out (or become diagonal or vertical) near the corners because the corners are essentially buttressed by the adjacent foundation walls

Generated explanation

Two adjoining foundation walls are shown on continuous footings, with horizontal cracks and inward deformation. Arrows indicate lateral thrust acting from outside toward the inside of the foundation. Labels identify bulging, bowing, and leaning, while dashed reference lines illustrate displacement of the walls. The cracks change direction or diminish near the corner, where the adjoining walls provide buttressing.

Components

foundation walls continuous footings foundation corner

Defects shown

horizontal foundation cracks inward foundation wall bulging foundation wall bowing foundation wall leaning foundation displacement under lateral thrust