The Phenomenon of Cracking in Cement Concretes and Reinforced Concrete Structures: The Mechanism of Cracks Formation, Causes of Their Initiation, Types and Places of Occurrence, and Methods of Detection—A Review

Cracks and cavities belong to two basic forms of damage the concrete structure, which may reduce load-bearing capacity tightness structure lead failures catastrophes in construction structures. Excessive uncontrolled cracking structural element cause both corrosion weakening adhesion reinforcement present it. Moreover, negatively affects its aesthetics extreme cases discomfort people staying such a building. Therefore, following article provides an in-depth review issues related formation development composites. It focuses on causes crack initiation characterizes their types. An overview most commonly used methods for detecting analyzing shape microcracks diagnosing trajectory propagation is also presented. The types cracks occurring composites can be divided according eight specific criteria. In reinforced elements, macrocracks depend type prevailing loads, whereas are correlated with case. analyses conducted show that usually rectilinear tensioned elements; shear elements there wing straight wings; torsional stresses changes microcrack morphology tips wings twisted. should noted subject matter structures made this material important many respects as it concerns, holistic approach, durability buildings, safety costs possible repairs damaged elements. problem further investigated field evaluation fracture processes,