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.

--BRE Group

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
• BRE Buzz.
• BRE Trust.
• Burland scale.
• Cracking and building movement.
• Defects in brickwork.
• Defects in construction.
• Defects in stonework.
• Efflorescence.
• Foundations.
• Ground heave.
• Home quality mark.
• Latent defects.
• Reversible and irreversible expansion.
• Settlement.
• Thermal expansion.
• The history of fabric structures.
• Why do buildings crack? (DG 361).

[edit] External references

• BRE Bookshop