Rock Cracks and its Effects on Concrete Structures

In this paper, rocks with existing cracks and the effects on concrete structures it supports is discussed. Based on this paper, rock cracks may occur naturally when the rock gets closer to the earth surface due to erosion, through weathering processes (particularly frost wedging in mountainous areas and the diurnal heating and cooling of a rock outer layer in hot arid environments) and through tree roots. Artificially, cracks in rock may be caused by shock waves during rock blasting. The effects of rock cracks on the concrete structure the rock supports could be any or all of the following: settlement of the structure, loss of strength by the concrete structure and the eventual collapse of the structure.