Practical Guide to Diagnosing Structural Movement in Buildings - Malcolm Holland - A Practical Guide

Jul 31, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

A practical guide focused on diagnosing structural movement in buildings, with an emphasis on interpreting cracks accurately rather than assuming foundation failure. Covers foundational concepts such as crack patterns, rotational movement, load distribution, movement and orientation, and a stepwise process. Classifies crack causes into those not related to foundations and those tied to foundations and ground movement, then presents repair methods including re-pointing, stitching, reinforcement, tie bars, restraint straps, buttresses, underpinning, grouting, and roof-spread prevention.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages238

Reading Time10 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Part 1 First Principles

First Principles

Crack Patterns and Cracks

Rotational Movement

Contra Rotational Movement

Weak Routes

Load Distribution

Movement and Orientation

Summary of First Principles and Process

Part 2 Cracks in Buildings Not Related to Foundations

Expansion Cracking

Cavity Wall Tie Corrosion

Corrosion of Metal Built into Walls

Vibration of Built in Fixings

Roof Spread

Springing from Deflected Beams

Lack of Lateral Stability

Lack of Lateral Stability in Modern Gable Walls

Overloaded Beams

Absence of Lintels Over Openings in Cavity Walls

Overloaded Floors

Overloaded Walls

Differential Movement

Arch Thrust and Arch Flattening

Load Path Cracking

Bulging Due to Decay of Bonding Timbers

Bulging and Separation in Solid Brick Walls

Separation of Rubble Filled Stone Walls

Floor Slab Settlement (Compaction)

Load Concentrations

Sulphate Attack

Concrete Block Shrinkage

Shrinkage of Calcium Silicate Bricks

Part 3 Cracks Related to Foundations and Ground Movement

Introduction

Foundation Movement Caused by Clay Shrinkage

Clay Heave

Seasonal Expansion of Clay Subsoil

Eccentric Loading on Foundations

Uneven Loading

Load Concentrations on Foundations

Differential Foundation Movement

Initial Settlement after Construction or Alterations

Leaking Drains and Water Discharge Near to Buildings

Drains and Drain Trenches

Part 4 Repair Methods

Introduction

Re-pointing

Re-pointing with Epoxy Mortar

Stitching in Brickwork

Reinforcing Brick Mortar Joints

Tie Bars

Restraint Straps

Buttresses/Piers

Preventing Roof Spread

Underpinning

Expanding Foam Underpinning

Grouting

Root Barriers

Index

m a l c o l m H o l l a n d practical guide todiagnosing structural movement in buildings PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DIAGNOSING STRUCTURAL MOVEMENT IN BUILDINGS PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DIAGNOSING STRUCTURAL MOVEMENT IN BUILDINGS Malcolm Holland B.SC (Hons), MRICS A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first published 2012 © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Wiley-Blackwell is an imprint of John Wiley & Sons, formed by the merger of Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical and Medical business with Blackwell Publishing. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK 2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at [www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell](www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell). The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, Figurecopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks oftheir respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services ofa competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Holland, Malcolm. Practical guide to diagnosing structural movement in buildings / Malcolm Holland. [p. cm](p. cm). Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-470-65910-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Buildings–Defects. 2. Earth movements and building. 3. Structural analysis (Engineering) 4. Building failures. 5. Buildings–Repair and reconstruction. I. Title. TH441 .H635 2012 690′.21–dc23 2011051077 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock [Cover design by Edge Creative www.edgecreativestudio.com](Cover design by Edge Creative www.edgecreativestudio.com) [Set in 10/12pt Minion by SPi Publisher Services](Set in 10/12pt Minion by SPi Publisher Services), Pondicherry, India Contents Introduction viii List of Figures xi Acknowledgements xvi PART 1 FIRST PRINCIPLES 1 1.1 First Principles 3 1.2 Crack Patterns and Cracks 8 1.3 Rotational Movement 9 1.4 Contra Rotational Movement 11 1.5 Weak Routes 14 1.6 Load Distribution 22 1.7 Movement and Orientation 26 1.8 Summary of First Principles and Process 28 PART 2 CRACKS IN BUILDINGS NOT RELATED TO FOUNDATIONS 31 2.1 Expansion Cracking 33 2.2 Cavity Wall Tie Corrosion 44 2.3 Corrosion of Metal Built into Walls 53 2.4 Vibration of Built in Fixings 57 2.5 Roof Spread 60 2.6 Springing from Deflected Beams 67 2.7 Lack of Lateral Stability 70 2.8 Lack of Lateral Stability in Modern Gable Walls 76 2.9 Overloaded Beams 79 2.10 Absence of Lintels (Beams) Over Open

FAQs

Why do cracks in buildings not always indicate foundation failure?

In most cases, cracking does not stem from subsidence or settlement of the foundations and does not signal a serious defect. The book explains that assumptions should not be made without analysis.

How does the guide help analyze cracks in a structured way?

It starts with first principles, covering crack patterns, rotational movement, load distribution, and movement/orientation, then provides a summary of the first principles and process for crack analysis.

What categories of crack causes does the guide use?

Cracks are grouped into those not related to foundations (such as expansion cracking, corrosion, vibration, roof spread, and overloaded elements) and those related to foundations and ground movement (such as clay shrinkage/heave, seasonal expansion, and differential foundation movement).

What repair methods are covered after diagnosing the structural issue?

The guide includes methods such as re-pointing, epoxy mortar re-pointing, stitching and reinforcing brick joints, tie bars and restraint straps, buttresses/piers, preventing roof spread, underpinning (including expanding foam underpinning), grouting, and root barriers.

Jul 31, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora