Diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of apartment buildings in Singapore

Abstract

Frequent reports about the occurrence of diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of public housing buildings were received before 1985. A forensic study was undertaken in 1985 to identify the causes of such cracks and the necessary measures to eliminate such cracks in all future public housing developments. The methodology of the study adopted was to carry out a detailed investigation of the cracks reported in five public housing buildings in different new towns all over Singapore. Schematic sketches and/or crack widths of such cracks at each dwelling units are reported for each of the case studies. The causes of such cracks were a combination of design and construction issues. After the implementation of remedial measures, the occurrence of diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of the newly constructed public housing buildings became significantly less common.