The Hidden Messages in Concrete Cracks:

It may sound poetic, but it's not: cracks in concrete have their own language, a unique code only professionals can decipher, allowing us to determine the probable cause of their formation.

Concrete has the characteristic of much greater compressive strength than tensile strength. In other words, although it is designed and built to withstand large compressive forces, concrete is more susceptible to failure when subjected to tensile forces.

This is evident even in compression tests, where concrete specimens often fail not due to the effect of compression but because these forces break down into tensile components that act on the core of the material, causing it to fail. If those specimens were completely confined, they would fail under compression at a much higher force than they actually do.

In this context, the appearance of cracks can be attributed to the direct application of tensile forces on the structural element or to the breakdown of other forces that, although initially acting in compression, generate tensile components that lead to failure. Cracks, therefore, are a visible manifestation of these hidden forces and can reveal much about the condition of the concrete and the conditions it has been subjected to.

Of course, a visual inspection cannot replace a more thorough study that rigorously evaluates the possible causes of cracks, such as soil settlement, seismic events, and other factors.

However, an initial analysis of cracks is not just a step but a significant leap toward understanding the structure's integrity and the need for more detailed interventions. This understanding is the cornerstone of our profession, ensuring the durability and safety of structures.