Longitudinal Cracks in Tilt-up Walls

[structengr23]

I have not designed any tilt-up wall structures, but I do forensic investigations and I was asked to inspect this distribution warehouse structure where the purchaser noticed these cracks in the loading dock area. I'm heading out to take a closer look today, but was online researching what I might expect to see with regards to typical stress cracks in these types of structures. It's almost like the wall in laminating under compression. These cracks do appear to be occurring at the thinner, column-like sections between the roll up doors. I have seen a conventional RC Column buckle or blow out, so maybe this is similar at the thin sections and the rebar is buckling and pushing out. I have attached the photos I received. I will get some more from today's visit.

 

[ANE91]

I am extremely skeptical about this being a web-shear-type crack. Wall is too skinny. Run the calc and report back. My intuition is that this thing will buckle well before it splits open like that. Masonry, sure, but not concrete.

My first guess would be that the rebar is corroding and splitting the concrete. Can’t know without some basic testing, whether non-destructive or otherwise. Be careful about concluding crack-causation without considering the several dozen mechanisms that cause concrete to crack. Could also be that confining bars were missed.

 

[jerseyshore]

I haven't seen this in tilt up walls specifically, but damaged members at loading docks is almost always from trucks hitting the building or water damage and corroded reinforcement (or a combo of both). I would first look for potential signs of impact inside and outside.

 

[TRAK.Structural]

Whatever this is, it looks like bad news. Delamination like that compromises the structural properties for compression, flexure, shear, basically everything. Let us know what you find!

 

[Tomfh]

Wierd. Delayed pour break in the panel?

 

[dik]

Could this be caused by plastic shrinkage at the the time of casting? Remedy by epoxy injection?

 

[civeng80]

No immediate evidence of any impact from the photo and it also appears the crack(s) extend in the horizontal panel above the opening. I strongly suspect that the crack would be due to perimeter reinforcement corrosion.

 

[LittleWheels]

That looks recently painted. Was there rust-staining previously?

 

[Wallache]

Are they insulated sandwich panels?