Cracking in buildings BR 292
BRE Group (BRE) is a world-leading centre of built environment expertise, research and training, and includes a third-party approvals organisation offering certification of products and services to international markets.
The first edition of the BRE guide Cracking in buildings was published in 1996. The second edition, written by Ron Bonshor, Lesley Bonshor and Roger Sadgrove, was published in March 2016. Its aimed at all who own, occupy, design, build and maintain buildings.
Buildings and other built structures are moving all the time, but usually these movements are so small as to be unnoticeable. However, if a structure is unable to accommodate movement, cracking is likely to occur. The appearance of cracks can be visually unattractive and disconcerting for occupants, and if left untreated can affect the integrity, safety and stability of the structure.
The BRE guide describes the basic materials science behind the subject and explains how and why cracks occur. It provides a source of relevant information and provides a systematic approach for the reader to follow.
The first part looks at the causes of and mechanisms behind cracking, and the use of joints as safeguards against cracking. The second part examines the application of the science, and how cracking is effected by temperature, moisture, chemical and foundation movement. Appendices cover the classification of visible damage to walls, and provide a suggested approach to crack investigation.
This second edition updates references and aspects of the methodology that have changed since the first edition.
You can view a sample of, and purchase the book here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BRE Trust.
- Burland scale.
- Cracking and building movement.
- Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
- Defects in brickwork.
- Defects in construction.
- Defects in stonework.
- Efflorescence.
- Foundations.
- Ground heave.
- Home quality mark.
- Latent defects.
- Pyrite and mica redress issues in Dail Eireann.
- Reversible and irreversible expansion.
- Settlement.
- Thermal expansion.
- The history of fabric structures.
- Why do buildings crack? (DG 361).
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.

























