A wide and visible fracture on a bare RCC slab.
Cause
- Excessive loading or poor structural design.
- Foundation settlement or soil movement.
- Expansion and contraction of concrete due to temperature fluctuations.
- Inadequate curing, improper concrete mix, or misplacement of reinforcement.
- Freeze-thaw cycles, water leakage, or chemical attack.
Impact
- Indicates underlying structural distress due to overloading, foundation settlement, corrosion, or design flaws.
- Allows water ingress, leading to corrosion of reinforcement, concrete spalling.
- Causes loss of load-bearing capacity and potential sagging or localized failure of the ceiling.
- Increases permeability, accelerating concrete deterioration from chemical exposure and carbonation.