INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF CRACKS IN BUILDINGS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY A CASE STUDY OF SABON ZONGO AND DAGMEW AREA OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT 
 
The real world is not static, coupled with movements in building, there is a potential for 
cracks to occur in building. It is essential that all building have adequate capacity to enable 
the foundation soil to hold the forces from the superstructure without undergoing shear failure 
or excessive settlement. It was against this background that the study investigated into the 
various causes of cracks in the buildings at Dagmew and Sabon Zongo Residetial areas of the 
Upper East Region of Ghana. Soil investigations coupled with several laboratory analyses 
were performed. The soil testing includes the DCPT while laboratory testing includes organic 
content testing and clay compatibility. Soil samples for the selected project sites were also 
obtained for the laboratory testing program. The study revealed that the causes of cracks in 
buildings in the study area are due to a combination of factors including incorrect design, 
poorly prepared foundation footings among others are the crucial factors that cause cracks in 
the buildings of the study area. There is also evidence that the cracks are caused by the 
expansion of clay dominated soils when they get wet.  While the causes of cracks at Sabon
Zongo are more of structural issues that of Dagmew are more of soil conditions such as the 
expansive and compatibility nature of the soil characteristics. The results of the study support 
the conclusion that that faulty and poor quality work is the critical factors causing failure of 
building in the study area. The study recommend that  building owners should identify the 
symptoms, understand the possible causes of the defects and carry out timely repair and 
maintenance works to keep their buildings in good structural condition. The Municipal 
Assembly through the Committee on Environment is also encouraged to enforce and 
implement policies on building regulations in the community.  
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APA

TETTEHTSU, R (2021). INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF CRACKS IN BUILDINGS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY A CASE STUDY OF SABON ZONGO AND DAGMEW AREA OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/investigation-into-the-causes-of-cracks-in-buildings-in-the-bolgatanga-municipality-a-case-study-of-sabon-zongo-and-dagmew-area-of-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana

MLA 8th

TETTEHTSU, RUDOLPH "INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF CRACKS IN BUILDINGS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY A CASE STUDY OF SABON ZONGO AND DAGMEW AREA OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA" Afribary. Afribary, 11 Mar. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/investigation-into-the-causes-of-cracks-in-buildings-in-the-bolgatanga-municipality-a-case-study-of-sabon-zongo-and-dagmew-area-of-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

MLA7

TETTEHTSU, RUDOLPH . "INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF CRACKS IN BUILDINGS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY A CASE STUDY OF SABON ZONGO AND DAGMEW AREA OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA". Afribary, Afribary, 11 Mar. 2021. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/investigation-into-the-causes-of-cracks-in-buildings-in-the-bolgatanga-municipality-a-case-study-of-sabon-zongo-and-dagmew-area-of-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana >.

Chicago

TETTEHTSU, RUDOLPH . "INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF CRACKS IN BUILDINGS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY A CASE STUDY OF SABON ZONGO AND DAGMEW AREA OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA" Afribary (2021). Accessed April 26, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/investigation-into-the-causes-of-cracks-in-buildings-in-the-bolgatanga-municipality-a-case-study-of-sabon-zongo-and-dagmew-area-of-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana