An investigation in to the causes of cracks in building and possible solutions – a case study of Kukar Gesa community in Katsina metropolis

Description

Abstract Cracking in structures is of common occurrence and engineers are often required to look into their causes and to carry out suitable repairs and remedial measures. For repairs and remedies to be effective, it is appropriate have proper understanding of various causes of cracking, to classify damage in structural buildings. The aim is to investigate types of cracks and their courses ponding severity through subjective rating and thus proffer method of controlling faults/cracks in buildings. Laboratory tests were conducted and some of the engineering properties of the soil were determine. The coefficient of permeability of the three samples is found to be 2.2170, 2.0670. 2.0403 x 10-4 cm/s and the average coefficient of permeability (K) is 2.1081x 10-4 cm/s. The average shear strength of the three samples is 102.24KN/M2. The ultimate bearing capacity is 613kN/m, the cohesion intercept C is 16.34kN/m2 and the angle of internal friction Ø is 7.490. the coefficient of consolidation CV is 0.0198cm2/min.