STRUCTURAL CONCERNS AND RECTIFICATION GUIDE (REFERENCE: ACI 318-19)

LEVEL OF
SITE ISSUES SAMPLE PICTURES POSSIBLE ROOT CAUSES PREVENTION MEASURES RECOMMENDATION
CONCERN
HAIRLINE CRACKS Minor  Improper Curing of Structural  Remind the contractor to implement  Apply high pressure low
ON SLABS, BEAMS, Member properly curing of the newly placed viscosity epoxy on the
GIRDERS, COLUMN,  Premature Removal of Shorings concrete mix. hairline cracks.
SHEARWALL  Implement proper removal of shoring  Contractor to provide
(Hairline cracks are by doing it on a specified curing methodology statement for
defined as cracks period. If the concrete did not attain structural EOR’s approval.
located on ramdom yet the specified curing period,
surfaces and are not additional shoring at midspan is
classified as a structural required.
crack with a maximum
width of 2mm.)

Figure no. 1 Sample of Hairline Cracks on Beams

Figure no. 2 Hairline Cracks on Slabs

SLAB, BEAM AND Major  Possible inadequacy of shear  Assure the correctness of the  Chip a portion of the concrete
GIRDER reinforcement of the affected installation of stirrups before where cracks where
STRUCTURAL beam/girder. concrete placing. observed to check the extent
CRACKS (cracks with  Possible overloading of the  Check the material strength of the of the cracks and the
3mm or greater) floor supported by the affected installed reinforcement. condition of the nearby
beam/girder.  Avoid overloading on the area reinforcement.
 Possible earthquake induced  If the reinforcement has no
shear cracks. signs of buckling or
deformation:
o apply epoxy based
cementitious grout on
the chipped area and
Figure no. 4: Cracks in Beams due to Increased Shear Stress high-pressure low
These are identified as cracks appearing near the support such as shear wall and columns. These cracks viscosity epoxy on the
are inclined at 45 degrees from the horizontal. remaining cracks.
 If the reinforcement has signs
of buckling or deformation:
o Install temporary
shoring support on the
affected beam/girder.
o Refer to Structural
Consultant for the
possible shear
retrofitting design.

 Improper or no concrete  Ensure that the concrete spacers  Chip a portion of the concrete
spacer provided. are installed before concrete where cracks where
 Improper implementation of pouring. observed to check the extent
concrete cover during of the cracks and the
concreting works. condition of the nearby
reinforcement.
 Remove loose concrete
cover
 Use epoxy based
cementitious grout and epoxy
binder to add additional cover
Figure no. 5: Cracks on beams due to corrosion or insufficient concrete cover. on the affected area.
These cracks appear near the side face of the beam near the bottom reinforcement along its length.
  Chip a portion of the concrete
where cracks where
observed to check the extent
of the cracks and the
 Insufficient main reinforcement  Assure the correctness of the condition of the nearby
at midspan. installation of main bars before reinforcement.
 Possible overloading of the concrete placing.  If the reinforcement has no
floor supported by the affected  Check the material strength of the signs of buckling or
beam/girder. installed reinforcement. deformation:
 Possible earthquake induced  Avoid overloading on the area. o apply epoxy based
bending cracks. cementitious grout on
Figure no. 6: Cracks due to Increased Bending Stress in Beams/Girders the chipped area and
Cracks due to increased bending stress in beams/girders appear near the center of span of the beam at high-pressure low
an angle of 45 degree with the horizontal at the midspan. viscosity epoxy on the
remaining cracks.
 If the reinforcement has signs
of buckling or deformation:
o Install temporary
shoring support on the
affected beam/girder.
o Refer to Structural
Consultant for the
possible shear
retrofitting design.