Cracks caused by one surface sliding against another

Structure · Solid Masonry Walls · printed page 61 (PDF page 62)

Book index entries

Cracking – in Walls – Planes of Movement Cracks – in Walls caused by Surfaces Sliding Wall – caused by Surfaces Sliding Masonry Wall

Text in the illustration

the crack may not be wide, but there can still be considerable movement
crushed material from these locations may collect in the crack

Generated explanation

The illustration shows two portions of a solid masonry wall separated by a narrow, irregular vertical crack. Opposing arrows indicate the left portion moving upward relative to the right portion, which moves downward. Dashed circles highlight locations along the crack where sliding contact crushes material that may collect in the crack. The drawing emphasizes that considerable movement can occur even when the crack is not wide.