Impact of Concrete Cracking: Case Study in Chilean Construction Projects
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27, Issue 4
Abstract
The construction sector is one of the most relevant to the world economy. Within it, the most used material is concrete given its excellent construction characteristics. However, this material suffers from different issues that can severely affect its performance and thus a construction project’s productivity. Of these issues, cracking is one of the most common and significant. It can affect the three most important aspects of construction: cost, deadline, and quality. Although its importance is recognized within the construction industry, to this day no clear vision exists as to the specific impact that cracking can have on a project. Consequently, this study aimed to determine that impact on mining, electrical, and civil infrastructure construction projects through a statistical analysis of 13 completed projects that suffered cracking. To obtain this information, companies involved in the construction of those projects in Chile were contacted. Additionally, this statistical analysis was complemented by a survey targeting professionals in the field who have dealt with cracking situations, with the objective of comparing the statistical results with the personal/professional survey responses. Analysis of project records indicated that concrete cracks represented a low percentage of total construction cost. This correlated with the surveyed professionals’ perceptions; however, the lack of proper recordkeeping by construction companies creates annual losses of several million in rehabilitation work, besides possibly hiding the real impact of cracking, creating an iceberg effect.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions. Data details cannot be provided without first being approved by the authors and the construction companies.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank all those whose work and good disposition made this research possible despite the difficult conditions in which we found ourselves due to a global health situation. Many thanks to those professionals and workers who took the time to provide the necessary information, answer questions, answer the survey, and help distribute it.
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Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27 • Issue 4 • November 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 28, 2021
Accepted: Jun 23, 2022
Published online: Aug 30, 2022
Published in print: Nov 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jan 30, 2023
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