Concrete cracks - Fact!
The reasons for the development of cracks on car park decks are numerous, but generally stem from the fact that concrete is relatively weak in tension. Cracking itself is not usually an indicator that serious structural problems are developing, indeed structures are commonly designed to assume that cracking will occur.
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Key to understanding the reasons for the cracks, and, more importantly, how to ensure that they do not pose a threat to your facility, either now or in the future, is regular structural assessment and more specifically the Life Care Plan. More about this later.
Cracks may be deemed on inspection to be ‘normal’ and not an indicator that your car park is about to collapse. However the truth is that any crack potentially constitutes a conduit for water and water borne contaminants which may lead to an accelerated
deterioration of your building. Several studies have been carried out on the subject with varying conclusions regarding the effect of cracks, and crack widths, on the corrosion of steel and whilst differences of opinion remain about the impact of crack width on the rate of corrosion, there is a general acceptance that cracking in concrete accelerates the start of the corrosion processes.
The bottom line on cracking on your car park decks?
Don’t panic, but don’t hide either. The life of your structure depends on you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US: www.usluk.com
