Construction: cracks and tears
Common causes for tears and cracks in concrete or plasterwork:
| heavy load on weight bearing elements of the construction |
| shrinking of the concrete due to the drying process |
| shrinkage and expansion due to changing temperatures |
| moving of the soil |
Construction tears through shrinkage
Concrete can shrink due to the hardening process. During this process the concrete also generates heat. Both of these can lead to internal tension which cause the concrete to tear.
Additionally, expansion and shrinkage due to changing temperatures can lead to tearing as well. As an example: think of a building that expands during the day due to sunlight, and shrinks during the night.
Construction tears due to moving soil
Moving soil due to, for instance, changes in groundwater levels, construction in the area and earthquakes can cause tears to appear in constructions.
