Wall Cracks

[rational611]

I am the owner of a house with RCC roof and walls of mud bricks and cement. The house has been built without columns. Over the last four years the walls have developed 1mm cracks. I consulted a civil engineer about it. He was of the opinion the cracks were limited to the cement plastering on the walls and the bricks were intact and not at all affected. He further eloborated that had the bricks developed cracks, the cracks would have developed to 1cm width. He attributed the cracks to the increased heavy vehicle traffic movement on the road infront of the house.
He said that the roof slab was intact and said that if a roof develops cracks, then this happens during the laying of the roof itself during construction. He further suggested that the cement plastering on the affected regions be peeled off and a freshing coating be applied.
I am a little puzzled by his explanation. Can a wall develop cracks which remain localized to just the plastering and leaving the bricks inside the wall intact? I want an independent opinion. Can someone comment on this. I want to add another storey to the existing groundfloor.
Except for these cracks the house has rock solid construction with 18 inch walls.

Thank you,

Faizan

 

[jheidt2543]

It is very common for shrinkage cracks to develop in the veneer plaster and not necessarily be transmitted into the brick backup. The reverse is also true, cracks in the masonry wall are usually reflected in the finish plaster.

It is difficult to confirm what the problem is in your case, from my desk here. However, IF the brick are sound, then I would suggest that rather than remove the plaster, you prime the cracks and repaint the walls for a for a more cosmetic finish. For wider cracks, you can put a thin bead of latex caulk into the crack, strike it flush and then prime & paint.

 

[shamz]

he details you provided are not sufficient. Anyway if the bricks are kiln backed and are coarsed with mud, then you can add another story to the building. Whereas if the bricks are not backed and are simple mud bricks,then it is suggested not to increase the load on the walls no matter how thick the walls are and how deep the foundation is. Experience shows that walls made of unbacked bricks yield under the load of lantel.
One solution which comes to my mind is, that for adding up an other story to the existing ground floor, make a framed structure. Errect RCC columns in the existing walls, with proper foundations, on all the corners of the rooms. In this way the load will be taken directly by the RCC columns & the walls will not be affected.