Evaluation of the Interrelationships Among the Causes of Wall Cracks in Residential Buildings Using Association Rule Mining

Abstract

Building cracks significantly impact structural integrity, maintenance costs, and occupant satisfaction. While numerous studies have investigated the causes of cracks, determining primary contributors remains complex due to the interconnected nature of underlying factors. This study examines the synergistic relationships among the causes of wall cracks in residential buildings to identify dominant crack contributing factors. 160 residential blocks at Ahmadu Bello University's Area F staff quarters were surveyed to identify buildings that exhibits cracks. 73 buildings exhibiting visible cracks were purposively selected for detailed evaluation. Visual inspection was conducted to measure crack dimensions on all the 73 selected buildings. In addition, systematic evaluation was conducted using a checklist to identify and evaluate crack-inducing factors. Singular cause analysis (SCA) and Association Rule Mining (ARM) technique were used to analyse the data. The SCA identified three predominant crack causes: root growth (29.21%), improper landscaping (22.28%), and drought conditions (17.82%). More so, ARM technique implemented through RapidMiner software demonstrated strong associations between the identified causes of cracks, with root growth showing complete correlation (confidence: 1.00) when combined with drought and roof leakage effects (lift: 1.237), indicating significant multiplicative impacts. These findings highlight the importance of considering combined environmental and structural factors in crack formation. Based on these insights, the study recommends implementing strategic vegetation management plans, including proper tree placement protocols to mitigate root-related structural damage. The research has contributed by evaluating the complex interactions between multiple crack-inducing factors, offering a foundation for data-driven solutions for proactive wall crack management in residential buildings.