Damage potential to residential structures due to ground movement

Reactive soil undergoes volume change under moisture variation causing movement in the foundation. This often leads to cracking in the elements (brick veneer and plasterboard clad walls) in the superstructure. Extensive laboratory testing, field investigation and finite element analysis including parametric studies were used to investigate the serviceability performance of these materials/walls. The findings will be useful for the formulation of performance-based deflection limits for the design of slabs and the prediction of crack widths and the extent of damage in a given wall for a given level of slab movement.