Abstract:
The real world is not static, coupled with movements in building, there is a potential for
cracks to occur in building. It is essential that all building have adequate capacity to enable
the foundation soil to hold the forces from the superstructure without undergoing shear failure
or excessive settlement. It was against this background that the study investigated into the
various causes of cracks in the buildings at Dagmew and Sabon Zongo Residetial areas of the
Upper East Region of Ghana. Soil investigations coupled with several laboratory analyses
were performed. The soil testing includes the DCPT while laboratory testing includes organic
content testing and clay compatibility. Soil samples for the selected project sites were also
obtained for the laboratory testing program. The study revealed that the causes of cracks in
buildings in the study area are due to a combination of factors including incorrect design,
poorly prepared foundation footings among others are the crucial factors that cause cracks in
the buildings of the study area. There is also evidence that the cracks are caused by the
expansion of clay dominated soils when they get wet. While the causes of cracks at Sabon-
Zongo are more of structural issues that of Dagmew are more of soil conditions such as the
expansive and compatibility nature of the soil characteristics. The results of the study support
the conclusion that that faulty and poor quality work is the critical factors causing failure of
building in the study area. The study recommend that building owners should identify the
symptoms, understand the possible causes of the defects and carry out timely repair and
maintenance works to keep their buildings in good structural condition. The Municipal
Assembly through the Committee on Environment is also encouraged to enforce and
implement policies on building regulations in the community.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, FACULTY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, SUBMITTED
TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,
WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF MASTER OF TECNOLOGY EDUCATION (CONSTRUCTION) DEGREE
JULY, 2016