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SoilTec AG - Your specialist for ground engineering in Switzerland

Cracks in concrete and masonry: Recognizing the causes & strengthening the foundation
Blog Accessed: 27

Cracks in concrete and masonry are often a visible sign of subsoil problems or weaknesses in the building structure. To avoid permanent damage, a plausible root cause analysis of the cracks is essential. SoilTec is your expert in Switzerland for ground injections with polyurethane resin - the proven solution for repairing foundations in the event of settlement-related cracks in concrete and masonry.

Typical types of cracks in concrete and masonry

There are different types of cracks depending on the cause, shape and course. Expert advice and targeted structural engineering measures are necessary for a tailor-made repair.

1. settlement cracks

  • Arise due to uneven settlement of the subsoil under the foundation
  • Often stepped or diagonal course in the wall
  • With increasing settlement, the crack width increases up to columns
  • Advice from geotechnical specialists, e.g. SoilTec (soiltec.ch)

2. shrinkage cracks

  • Formed when volume changes due to drying shrinkage
  • Fine, barely visible cracks
  • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts (e.g. qc-expert.ch)

3. expansion cracks

  • Formed by temperature fluctuations and different material expansion
  • The cracks often widen further with each additional temperature fluctuation
  • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts (e.g. qc-expert.ch)

4. drying out cracks

  • Especially with quick-drying plaster
  • Superficial, net-like branched cracks
  • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts (e.g. qc-expert.ch)

5. stress cracks

  • Due to excessive mechanical loads (bending, shear)
  • Typically on load-bearing walls, beams, undersides of ceilings
  • Critical for crack widths over 0.2 mm
  • Advice from civil engineering firms for structural testing

6. corrosion cracks

  • Caused by rust formation in the reinforcing steel
  • Spalling concrete skin
  • Advice from concrete restoration companies

SoilTec PUR injection: Effective remediation of settlement cracks

SoilTec specializes in the injection of polyurethane resins into the subsoil in order to:

  • to strengthen the subsoil - i.e. to improve, consolidate, reinforce and sustainably stabilize it
  • to stop uneven settlements in a targeted manner
  • significantly increase the load-bearing capacity of the substrate

This innovative method is often the best solution against structural damage caused by subsidence of the ground.

Find out more: soiltec.ch/services

Conclusion: Sustainable protection against cracks thanks to SoilTec foundation reinforcement

Cracks in concrete and masonry often indicate settlement problems in the subsoil. With SoilTec's targeted PUR injection, the subsoil can be sustainably strengthened and further damage prevented. The value of your building is preserved in the long term thanks to a well-founded analysis and professional execution of the PUR injection.

Our services at a glance

  • On-site advice

    The aim of our free on-site consultation throughout Switzerland is to assess the subsidence damage to your house, recommend measures to rectify the damage and, if you wish, provide you with a competitive quote for ground PUR injection.

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  • Stopping buildings from settling

    The most efficient method for stopping building subsidence is to consolidate the subsoil using PUR injections. Here, foaming polyurethane is injected into the foundation substrate over several depth levels, restoring the settlement-free load-bearing capacity of the subsoil.

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  • Lifting a house out of an inclined position

    Injecting polyurethane into the ground beneath the concrete floor slab increases its volume, allowing the house to be raised above a certain level of ground tension.

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  • Increase the load-bearing capacity of the subsoil

    Increasing the structural load increases the soil pressure under the foundation, which can lead to settlement. The load-bearing capacity is increased by injecting PUR into the foundation so that the additional structural load is supported by the foundation without settling.

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  • Seal leak in excavation pit wall

    Soil PUR injections are used to seal gaps and unwanted leaks in foundation walls against pressing groundwater. The process is also suitable for creating sealing walls and floors so that, for example, pits for new lift underpasses below the groundwater level in existing buildings can be excavated and concreted without a special excavation pit sealing wall and only with open dewatering.

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  • Sealing artesian wells for geothermal drilling

    When sinking geothermal boreholes, there is a risk of artesian seepage, where pressurized groundwater rises from the depth of the borehole. By injecting foaming polyurethane at three depth levels around the borehole, a three-stage sealing collar is formed around the borehole in the injection area, which prevents the water from flowing around the sealing point in the borehole and permanently stops the flow of water rising from the depths.

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Our customers are satisfied

 

I would like to thank you for your efforts on the construction site. We very much appreciate the fact that you were able to seal the artesian at short notice.

Michael Zurkinden, Pensier

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We stabilize your house. Subsoil stabilization by injecting synthetic resin (polyurethane or PUR) is the most economical and fastest solution for restoring the stability of a house. We specialize in ground stabilization using PUR injections and are happy to support you with our professional services.

SoilTec AG
P.O. Box 453
4800 Zofingen
T. 0800 400 111
Call
0800 400 111