Cracks in newly built wall

[witten]

How long do you guess it will take before it happens?

Hard to say. 30-50 years maybe.

 

[witten]

How long does it take for the concrete to finish shrinking and for all the cracks that will occur to appear?

Most of it happens during the first few days, then it decreases significantly.

 

[peter_sweden]

Most of it happens in the first few days, then it decreases significantly.

Ok so if a month has passed, should no more appear?

 

[peter_sweden]

What is the right way to ensure a solution without cracks that doesn't risk rusting the reinforcement?

Demolish the part of the wall with cracks and re-cast it, or does the entire wall need to be redone?

 

[Plupp 173289]

Is it possible to break up the crack and make a new casting there? But the question is whether it actually becomes better than waiting a few decades to repair it when it has rusted and frost exploded apart?

 

[witten]

What is the right way to proceed if you want a solution without cracks that doesn't risk the reinforcement rusting away?

Tear down the part of the wall with cracks and re-cast it, or does the whole wall need to be redone?

If it is to be done properly, there is quite a bit to keep track of and even some calculations. The designer is usually responsible for this and writes it on the drawing.

 

[witten]

Isn't it possible to break up the crack and do a new casting there? But the question is whether it actually becomes better than waiting a few decades to repair when it has rusted and frost-damaged beyond repair?

It might be enough to saw the crack open. As you say, do it now or later...

 

[peter_sweden]

Isn't it possible to chisel up the crack and make a new casting there? But the question is whether it really will be better than waiting a few decades to repair it when it has rusted and frost-shattered?

Yes, but now the builder will have to pay - in the future, it will be me or a future neighbor who will have to pay.

 

[Plupp 173289]

Yes, but now it will be the builder who has to pay - in the future it will be me or future neighbors who have to pay.

Exactly. And that you may potentially need to dig up

 

[peter_sweden]

Exactly. And you might also need to dig up

What is reasonable for me to demand from the builders for the wall?

The wall is mainly being built so that the neighbor can subdivide (and the wall is entirely funded by the neighbor). I don't gain any significant benefits compared to how it was before, possibly slightly more usable plot area.

 

[C.Lundin]

Don't quite understand what is being discussed here. The reinforcement will always be exposed to moisture as the concrete will always contain water, especially in an outdoor structure where new water is continually added.
Cracks in concrete are very rarely treated as a problem even in critical structures, so being worried here is really unjustified.
If the wall had been cast with waterproof concrete and had those requirements, then the discussion would have been warranted. But hopefully, in that case, such a long section wouldn't have been cast.

The crack is merely a result of the concrete shrinking and does not affect the structure. You can choose where it will crack even in long sections, but it's too late now. In 99% of cases, the crack is only an aesthetic "problem."

 

[Plupp 173289]

The reinforcement will always be exposed to moisture as the concrete will always contain water, especially when it is an outdoor construction where new water is always added.

Absolutely, but when enclosed in concrete, steel corrodes significantly slower than if it is exposed to air.

 

[C.Lundin]

Absolutely, but when enclosed in concrete, steel corrodes much slower than if exposed to air.

Yes, but the oxygen will cause much bigger problems for the concrete than the reinforcement.