Stitching Cracks in the Walls | Design of RCC Structures

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How to stitch the cracks in the plastering of the wall and prevent further cracking?

Occurrence of cracks in a building is a common problem to deal with. The intensity of the problem of the occurrence of cracks increases with the increased depth of the cracks.

The cracks are generally classified into two major categories:

  1. Minor Cracks or Surface cracks
  2. Major cracks or Structural Cracks

Minor cracks or Surface Cracks

In one of my earlier articles, I discussed various reasons for the occurrence of minor cracks or Surface cracks. Surface cracks do not result in making the structure unsound. The structural stability is intact incase of minor cracks. The aesthetics are affected due to the occurrence of minor cracks.

Major Cracks or Structural cracks

Major cracks or Structural cracks as the name suggests are responsible for making the structure unsound in nature. When deeper cracks are seen to develop on structural components such as columns, beams, foundations, these cracks are termed as Structural cracks since they cause structural damage.

Now we will go ahead with discussing how the cracks occurring on the plastered surface can be stitched and prevented from further deepening…

Stitching cracks
Stitching cracks

The small diagonal grooves are made across the crack.

16mm diameter steel rods are embedded in the grooves and are then covered with cement concrete.

If there are too many cracks occurring on the plastered surface, remove the entire plaster and plaster it again.

8 thoughts on “Stitching Cracks in the Walls | Design of RCC Structures”

  2. i like the article. 16mm dia bar used for stiching the crack should be minimum 30cm long so it should be embedded 15cm each side of the crack . depth of grooves should be 40 mm so about 25 mm of concrete cover will cover the bar.

  4. Hello,

    I’m an engineering student as well. Is it really possible to stitch the cracks of the wall? I know many ways how to deal with crack walls, but I never heard of stitching it.

    Interesting post! you got my attention.

  5. Respected sir,

    Please suggest me that if we have a major crack on wall then how we can joint the crack,what are the procedure,what are the chemicals which we have to apply and how we can removed the total cost of that works.

    Thanks and regards

    Raj

    • To fill up the crack, you can fill the crack with grout of cement mortor 1:1 along with chicken mesh for reinforcement. Any local mason can do that… It won’t be very expensive…

      Stitching process described in the post can be used for major cracks. For that, I’d suggest you consult a local engineer…

      Cheers!

  6. Respected sir,

    I am planning to buy an flat in south bangalore which is more than 5 years old.

    It is in G + 3 story building without basement. Flat at 3rd floor has cracks in the walls.

    I found that the building does not have columns but it has beams.

    Could you please help me with following –

    1. Are the cracks caused by the fact that the building does not have columns?

    2. What is the way to find out whether cracks are structural or just surface cracks?

    2. Does absense of columns reduce the life of civil structure? For example it can last only 15 years !!

    Thanks & Regards
    Amit

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