fabulous85:
the cracks only appear where there are pillars on the wall. the rest of the wall and the main building has no cracks so I chiselled and nailed wire mesh to the crack, then plastered but it still appeared.

It’s a structural failure.
You can drop a picture let’s examine. Or get a qualified structural engineer to examine it for you.

hakeem4:


It’s a structural failure.
You can drop a picture let’s examine. Or get a qualified structural engineer to examine it for you.

there is settlement arround the pillars...
it seems like the pillars are slipping down due to poor base carrying capacity..

qwertyboss:

there is settlement arround the pillars...
it seems like the pillars are slipping down due to poor base carrying capacity..

Cant provide solutions with just guess works.

But from my experience the only lasting solution is underpinning and replacing that base

qwertyboss:

there is settlement arround the pillars...
it seems like the pillars are slipping down due to poor base carrying capacity..

that's what I think too, any solution thanks

.

hakeem4:

Cant provide solutions with just guess works.

But from my experience the only lasting solution is underpinning and replacing that base

since its not a frame structure underpinning will be dangerous if experts are not involved

qwertyboss:

since its not a frame structure underpinning will be dangerous if experts are not involved

I don’t get.

A column and a beam makes it a frame structure. Why would you say it’s not a frame structure?

DFAMEGUY11S:
4800 per meter while 6,816 per carton

thnk you each carton contains how many pieces?

hakeem4:

I don’t get.

A column and a beam makes it a frame structure. Why would you say it’s not a frame structure?

it don't...
it depicts a frame structure but its not a frame structure.
If it were a true frame the settlement would be uniform not just the culums moving.
A typical frame structure is the one errected without walls but purely the structural members... you ought to have seen that before

qwertyboss:

it don't...
it depicts a frame structure but its not a frame structure.
[s]If it were a true frame the settlement would be uniform not just the culums moving.[/s]
A typical frame structure is the one errected without walls but purely the structural members... you ought to have seen that before

I get what you’re saying, but once there’s a beam, slab and column it’s classified as frame. The masonry could act as infill or could still do structural load bearing.

@striked statement. They can not have uniform settlement because the foundation is an isolated pad footing so each column would settle relatively. If you want uniform settlement then stick to mat foundation

fabulous85:
hello guys, Please Can you help with a solution to these cracks on my fence, they appear where I casted pillars with Iron rods so am surprised. I decided to chisel the cracks and fix wire mesh but it still cracked. is there a filler I can use? N.B The main building has no cracks
c.c Brabus, gbadexy, rotecch 77

Identify the problem before applying any fix. Get a structural engineer to examine the problem and recommend a solution.

The problem could be any of the following:

- Shifting soil conditions due to dredging activities happening around you or percolation of water.
- Inadequate foundation design.
- Water runnoff. Check the slope of the land and the neighboring compound.
- Presence of timbers beneath the foundation causing rot or exerior deterioration causing structural failure.
- Presence of unstable soil or soil not well compacted beneath the foundation.


The crack is not a cosmetic crack but a structural failure.

hakeem4:


I get what you’re saying, but once there’s a beam, slab and column it’s classified as frame. The masonry could act as infill or could still do structural load bearing.

@striked statement. They can not have uniform settlement because the foundation is an isolated pad footing so each column would settle relatively. If you want uniform settlement then stick to mat foundation

A true frame is rigid...
am not saying the problem in question is not a frame as per definition...
I mean its not a proper frame...
if only the pillars are moving then are the other members attached redundant?

qwertyboss:

A true frame is rigid...
am not saying the problem in question is not a frame as per definition...
I mean its not a proper frame...
if only the pillars are moving then are the other members attached redundant?

A true frame is not always rigid. It depends on how the engineer designed it. He can design it for it to be ductile or non sway

It depends on the beam column connections. That’s why I can’t say except I see the picture of the said building.

An important aspect of redundant structure is that it is possible to have internal forces within the structure, with no external loading being applied. These may exist because of:

Settlement of supports;
The structure not fitting together before it was assembled (‘lack of fit’);
Temperature changes.

hakeem4:

A true frame is not always rigid. It depends on how the engineer designed it. He can design it for it to be ductile or non sway

It depends on the beam column connections. That’s why I can’t say except I see the picture of the said building.

An important aspect of redundant structure is that it is possible to have internal forces within the structure, with no external loading being applied. These may exist because of:

Settlement of supports;
The structure not fitting together before it was assembled (‘lack of fit’);
Temperature changes.

okay...
I hope he post the pictures

qwertyboss:

okay...
I hope he post the pictures

pics as requested

this was after I chised and put wire mesh at the center of the crack and plastered it. the crack then started forming from another direction.

Aforxzy:


You need to observe the crack further to confirm if its a structural failure or not. Put a mark/ line on the crack or a glass piece to observe the rate of expansion with time.


Also confirm
1. if there has been any disturbance ( workdone) around the fence lately..
2..The type of foundation done and
3. The soil test report/ recommendations for the land.

I'm NOT a structural engineer, but I think your diagnosis may be closer to what is happening. Like you said, he should observe the cracks for a couple of months. The cracks may turn out to be historical and won't crack further.

From the picture sent, I think the 'coping' on the fence is puting pressure on the fence wall, so each partition is settling deferencially from the cast columns as a result of poor blinding. This is the reasonable explanation as both sides of each partition are cracking. This is not a case of the partitions contrasting away from the cast columns.

Or could it be poor mortar mix resulting in poor bonding of the partitions to the cast columns?

I suspect when putting up the fence, the blinding was poor because na ordinary fence and cement don dear, so no need to spend so much to achieve the recommended thickness of the blinding.

Lecturers are lecturing. Let me be taking notes.

But our ogas no use too much big English o

EgunMogaji2:
Lecturers are lecturing. Let me be taking notes.

But our ogas no use too much big English o

Honestly, this thread is getting back to how it was before it got infiltrated by adverts.

Post your challenge, let people analyze it for you, but what do we have?

People trying to sell themselves instead of sharing experience on dealing with issues

fabulous85:
this was after I chised and put wire mesh at the center of the crack and plastered it. the crack then started forming from another direction.

Until you deal with the main cause of the crack, this is bound to reoccur.

Here’s something from a friend’s project at OPIC Isheri.

There were no cracks on the building 10 years ago but as at today continuous percolation of water around the building has caused a huge damage to the building that it’s in the verge of brink of partial failure.

hakeem4:

Cant provide solutions with just guess works.

But from my experience the only lasting solution is underpinning and replacing that base

I won't recommend underpinning a fence.

Let him engage a structural engineer who will visit the site but whatever the case may be, the cracks should be observed again before conclusion and final recommendations are made.

Aforxzy:

[/b]

I won't recommend underpinning a fence.

Let him engage a structural engineer who will visit the site but whatever the case may be, the cracks should be observed again before conclusion and final recommendations are made.

oh! It’s a fence.

I thought it was a column in the building as qwertyboss made me know.

We’d need pictures to examine it.

fabulous85:
pics as requested

From the pix , this doesn't look like a structural failure. You should have been more careful when chiselling the wall. The elongation of the cracks might be due to the force applied while chiselling... .

The inital crack could be as a result of settlement of the buliding which is expected with usage and age..


Re plastering the affected area should suffice unless it becomes wider ...... Then involve a structural enginer.

Aforxzy:


From the pix , this doesn't look like a structural failure. You should have been more careful when chiselling the wall. The elongation of the cracks might be due to the force applied while chiselling... .

The inital crack could be as a result of settlement of the buliding which is expected with usage and age..


Re plastering the affected area should suffice unless it becomes wider ...... Then involve a structural enginer.

Even though the crack is extending beyond the coping. Don’t you see the cracks happening around the compression zone of the beam/coping?

If not structural failure, maybe it’s incorrect design. But I won’t rule out settlement.

BrabusNG:


Even though the crack is extending beyond the coping. Don’t you see the cracks happening around the compression zone of the beam/coping?

If not structural failure, maybe it’s incorrect design. But I won’t rule out settlement.

The pattern of the cracks and size of opening doesnot suggest any structural issue.

Aforxzy:



The pattern of the cracks and size of opening doesnot suggest any structural issue.

If the crack is not expanding then there’s no cause for alarm.

It’s not safe to put a bandage on a broken bone.

My recommendation is that a structural engineer should conduct a physical investigation to determine the cause.

Happy Easter Holiday!

BrabusNG:


If the crack is not expanding then there’s no cause for alarm.

It’s not safe to put a bandage on a broken bone.

My recommendation is that a structural engineer should conduct a physical investigation to determine the cause.

Happy Easter Holiday!

Spot on

Happy Easter .

davodyguy:

Honestly, this thread is getting back to how it was before it got infiltrated by adverts.

Post your challenge, let people analyze it for you, but what do we have?

People trying to sell themselves instead of sharing experience on dealing with issues

I remember the wonderful and educational threads by AbdulWastecx back in the days.

We have no moderator in this section. And it’s just not the silly adverts but for example someone labeled me a yahoo fraudster on my thread in my signature, after five attempts the moderator still didn’t remove it.

I just pity anyone that relies on NairaLand as a sole source to earn a living

fabulous85:
pics as requested

not much of a problem there but the pillar is not serving it purpose...
I think poor compaction leads to the slippage...
base on the nature of how those pillars are set

BrabusNG:


Even though the crack is extending beyond the coping. Don’t you see the cracks happening around the compression zone of the beam/coping?

If not structural failure, maybe it’s incorrect design. But I won’t rule out settlement.

well if there's a beam there, we need to observe if there's deflection as well...
the picture doesn't show the bulk of the structure though