Cracking in RCC: Design Codes, Repairs & Remedies

In some of the construction projects, the massive reinforced concrete elements like bridge abutment caps show unforeseen cracks even after compliance with all the design requirements as per the relevant standard codes of practice.

Despite the dense reinforcement steel provided in the structural elements, these cracks appear during the construction phases even before the element is subjected to its intended loads and may sometimes be wider than the crack widths indicated in the design codes. These cracks can be repaired, and dismantling can be avoided.

The crack widths indicated in the codes are design phase crack widths for checking the concrete section adequacy, and the same shall not be compared with the post-concreting phase crack widths.

In most situations, the crack width measured at the site is compared with the design phase crack widths, and dismantling of cast RCC elements is being demanded, and further progress of works is being stopped, which can be avoided.

The following is the listing of the guidelines from standard codes of practice which will help provide clarifications to apprehensions raised by the customers and avoid time delays in the completion of the projects:

Technical Specification Requirements indicated in Bid Document

Generally, in the contract…