Cracking in buildings BR 292
BRE Group (BRE) is a world-leading centre of built environment expertise, research and training, and includes a third-party approvals organisation offering certification of products and services to international markets.
The first edition of the BRE guide Cracking in buildings was published in 1996. The second edition, written by Ron Bonshor, Lesley Bonshor and Roger Sadgrove, was published in March 2016. Its aimed at all who own, occupy, design, build and maintain buildings.
Buildings and other built structures are moving all the time, but usually these movements are so small as to be unnoticeable. However, if a structure is unable to accommodate movement, cracking is likely to occur. The appearance of cracks can be visually unattractive and disconcerting for occupants, and if left untreated can affect the integrity, safety and stability of the structure.
The BRE guide describes the basic materials science behind the subject and explains how and why cracks occur. It provides a source of relevant information and provides a systematic approach for the reader to follow.
The first part looks at the causes of and mechanisms behind cracking, and the use of joints as safeguards against cracking. The second part examines the application of the science, and how cracking is effected by temperature, moisture, chemical and foundation movement. Appendices cover the classification of visible damage to walls, and provide a suggested approach to crack investigation.
This second edition updates references and aspects of the methodology that have changed since the first edition.
You can view a sample of, and purchase the book here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BRE Trust.
- Burland scale.
- Cracking and building movement.
- Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
- Defects in brickwork.
- Defects in construction.
- Defects in stonework.
- Efflorescence.
- Foundations.
- Ground heave.
- Home quality mark.
- Latent defects.
- Pyrite and mica redress issues in Dail Eireann.
- Reversible and irreversible expansion.
- Settlement.
- Thermal expansion.
- The history of fabric structures.
- Why do buildings crack? (DG 361).
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.