Who is Responsible When Concrete Cracks, Part 1 of 2

Monday, October 30, 2023  1:30 PM - 3:30 PM, W-Marina Ballroom II

Most professionals in the concrete industry understand that concrete will crack and expects concrete to crack; however, there seem that there is always a dispute about cracks in concrete. So, when cracking becomes a problem, who is responsible for the cracks. Some of these disputes have resulted in significant repair cost or the cost of removal of concrete structures. This program discusses the responsibilities of the design engineer, general contractor, concrete contractor, concrete producer, and others in determining which member(s) of the Project Team is responsible for resolution. This session should be attended by anyone who has ever been involved in a dispute pertaining to cracks in concrete.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Learn about the role that industries' expectations contribute to cracking issues;
(2) Understand better the role of design details within ACI 318 with respect to cracking;
(3) How can designers using ACI 350 control cracking and increase serviceability;
(4) Learn more about what contractors can and cannot do to limit cracking.

Cracking Expectations - Don't We All Know that Concrete Cracks?

Presented By: Calvin McCall
Affiliation: Concrete Engineering Consultants Inc
Description: Most concrete newbies, as well as seasoned professionals, understand that concrete cracks; however, there is a tremendous amount of time and resources devoted to explaining why concrete cracked, the number of cracks, the width of the cracks, and depth of the cracks and who will pay for the repair of the cracks. Even with the explanations, the Owner cannot or will not understand that the structure is not designed to be crack free. The Owners, being unhappy with the cracks, are of the opinion that the cracks should be repaired. Due to the fact that everyone knows that concrete will crack, why do we expect concrete to be crack free? Refer to the definition of “Insanity”. Albert Einstein is quoted “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

It is Designed to Crack! - Perspective from an Engineer Designing with ACI 318

Presented By: Frank Malits
Affiliation: Cagley & Associates Inc.
Description: Mr. Malits will explore the types of cracks often encountered when designing a structure in accordance with ACI 318. What can a designer do to mitigate this cracking? Are these techniques always in an Owner’s best interest?

Is it Designed Crack Free – Perspectives from an Engineer Designing with ACI 350

Presented By: Lisa Giroux
Affiliation: Hazen and Sawyer
Description: Reinforcing concrete for strength will not always provide for adequate crack control. What the engineer needs to do to control cracking for desired project serviceability, aesthetics and expectations.

The Contractor’s Execution — Should Means and Methods Reduce Cracking?

Presented By: Oscar Antommattei
Affiliation: Kiewit Engineering Group Inc.
Description: This presentation will be focused on the contractors’ perspective on dealing with cracking, in different types of work such as buildings, bridges, dams, pavements and water retaining structures. From knowing the design details and specifications for construction to understanding the effect of the field operations and concrete materials properties, it is important to recognize the causes or contributing factors to the different types of cracking. Concrete cracking can occur for numerous reasons in different structures and under different construction conditions with different materials, but there also other non-technical factors that influence projects procurement, budget and schedule available from the client that is important to understand how cracking is dealt in a specific project. Even if the design meets the Code, the concrete producer uses good quality materials to optimize the mix for low shrinkage or low thermal, and the contractor builds the work in compliance to the industry standards and specified requirements, it is well known and recognized within the design professionals and concrete construction industry that concrete can and will crack – but, does the client knows that and what it takes to design/build a crack free structure? Or, what are the impacts of cracking? In summary, cracking can be managed, mitigated, reduced, and controlled by different parts of the work, but it is also expected and very likely not always eliminated within the client procurement, budget and schedule available for the project.