A holistic approach to understanding concrete crack behaviour
by Kirk Walker, May 29, 2026
Cracks in concrete are often one of the first visible indicators that trigger concern from owners, builders and asset managers. However, not all cracks indicate structural distress. Conversely, seemingly minor cracking can indicate broader structural or durability issues.
At Ironbridge, we adopt a holistic approach to assessing observed cracking by understanding the behaviour of the structure as a whole. By taking such an approach, Ironbridge has recently determined the following less common causes of cracking observed in buildings, which may have otherwise been overlooked.
• RC column axial shortening - resulting in cracks in nominally non-load-bearing facade elements without movement allowance despite being detailed in as-built documentation.
• Unachievable post-tension slab construction detailing within nominated slab thickness - resulting in significant cracking at basement perimeter and altering slab shrinkage behaviour
• Chloride contamination and concrete carbonisation - resulting in accelerated reinforcement corrosion due to adjacent environments revealed as widespread slab cracks
• Clay inclusion and potential sulphate attack in bored piers - leading to water ingress, concrete cracking and spalling in piers
Our approach typically begins with a site inspection to observe the crack characteristics, distribution and extent, followed by a desktop review of the available documentation to understand the as-built details and original design intent.
From here, a risk profile of the observed defects can be developed to determine whether further assessment is required, such as material testing, crack monitoring, durability assessment or detailed structural analysis, which may include finite element modelling.
We believe this approach is critical to understanding the cause of cracking because effective remediation begins with understanding why the structure moved in the first place.
If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to the Ironbridge Engineering team.