Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
(OP)
I was asked for a proposal on analysis of a building, roughly 24X60, walkout style, which has suddenly begin to form cracks or widen existing cracks. Diagonal in CMU walls (although one major vertical crack from foundation to roof diaphragm cracks through middle of every second course of block - running bond). Suspended slab has "new" cracks up to 0.060". No steel deck, but does have I-beams cast in - pretty old building - and one-way reinforcing (both rusted badly and spalling cover).
They park on grade at the first floor level (surcharge) and we've had a terribly wet summer and winter is coming late and the rain keeps coming.
You can see clear through the wall at some of the diagonal cracks in the CMU wall and they go from foundation to roof some as wide as 3/8".
Any ideas without seeing pictures? Differential settlement? Fines washed out of soil undermining ftg's? Sinkholes? Sudden lateral earth pressure from failed ftg rain and wet summer?
They park on grade at the first floor level (surcharge) and we've had a terribly wet summer and winter is coming late and the rain keeps coming.
You can see clear through the wall at some of the diagonal cracks in the CMU wall and they go from foundation to roof some as wide as 3/8".
Any ideas without seeing pictures? Differential settlement? Fines washed out of soil undermining ftg's? Sinkholes? Sudden lateral earth pressure from failed ftg rain and wet summer?






RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
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RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
With large volume of recent rainwater, is there a chance that there are underlying stormwater lines that are allowing soil infiltration at the joints, thus causing loss of soil under the building? Same could be true of rubble or trash under building.
More investigation is obviously required.
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
Not my area of knowledge, I just saw this done at my stepdaughters house. $200,000 house + $35,000 foundation remediation.
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
Repair can be problematic... if the cracking is due to excessive moisture washing away the lime material; repair is most difficult. There are several other causes as noted above. Check Sliderules' site for information on Historic Masonry (Brick?). It has outlined a few pitfalls with masonry repair and some of the problems encountered.
Dik
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
I'd like to get some borings done. Also would like to install surface mounted strain gauges or simply measure stationing on cracks with calipers on regular basis. If it cracks continue to open we will probably recommend they vacate.
To put any serious money into this structure would be polishing the proverbial turd. This building has served its useful life and no longer meets their needs. I am more worried about safety and how long they have before relocating operations.
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Old Bldg. suddenly cracking