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Is there an official document on acceptable crack tolerances...

Is there an official document on acceptable crack tolerances...

Is there an official document on acceptable crack tolerances...

(OP)
Is there any official documents on what is an acceptable amount and size of cracks in residential foundation walls and floors.  If so, could you forward a .DOC or .PDF or the like to me at DeveloperWatch@usa.com

I have a basement full of 1/4" cracks !!!

RE: Is there an official document on acceptable crack tolerances...

Maybe check out American Concrete Institute (www.concrete.org) and particularly document ACI 224R-90, "Control of Cracking in Concrete Structures," where table 4.1 lists tolerable crack widths for reinforced concrete under various exposure conditions. BUT it does not address slabs-on-grade or basement walls specifically.

You have 1/4" cracks in your basement walls too? I guess it CMU/concrete block walls.

But, best to call a local structural engineer to review your situation and make some recommendations on repair etc.

Good luck.
 

RE: Is there an official document on acceptable crack tolerances...

I agree with Ingenuity, ACI is the place to look.  In addition to his suggestion, look at ACI 332R-84 "Guide to Residential Cast-in-Place Concrete" and ACI 346R-90 "Recomendations for Cast-in-Place Nonreinforced Concrete".

I looked at a badly cracked residential basement wall recently.  The workmanship was fine, but when they backfilled the wall they didn't brace it or have the floor framing in place.  It was a disaster!  The guy replaced a 1/3 of the basement wall and then turned around and did the same thing!  The final result was to install a membrane waterpoofing system to prevent leaks.

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