Investigation into the causes of cracks in buildings in the Bolgatanga municipality a case study of Sabon Zongo and Dagmew area of the Upper East Region of Ghana

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.