Baillot, R: Crack Response of Structures to Weather and Cons

Although cosmetic cracks are very common in structures, remain most of the time unnoticed and do not decrease structural integrity; humans are often very concerned about them when irritating urban construction activity occurs nearby historical structures. In order to properly respond to human concerns and understand how cracks live, this book compares the naturally induced effects of climate to the construction induced effects of vibrations on cracks. The reconstruction of the Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC provided a unique opportunity to monitor and compare the effects of very close construction vibration activity, human household activity and long-term weather effects on one outdoor and two indoor cracks of the historic Blair House. Consistent with other structures under similar stimuli, the Blair House finally revealed that construction vibration produced smaller crack responses than did occupant activity and far smaller crack responses than did long term weather effects. This analysis should be especially useful to professors and students in Civil Engineering, professionals of the construction industry and State Departments.