Concrete Post and Rail Cracks

farmer2018 · 22-02-2025 10:53PM #1

Hi All, I installed a concrete post and rail fence last year but notice there is some vertical hairline cracks on the concrete rails, is this normal? There is steel in them. I did drop a few during install and they crack easily, I did not use these.

10-10-20 · 22-02-2025 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058397738/concrete-post-and-rail-cracks

In a horizontally supported rail it's commonplace. Have a read of information about "concrete in tension and compression": the concrete in the top portion of a single rail supported on either end will be in compression, while the bottom will be in tension - and cracks will open on the lower sections in such concrete.

https://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips-nuggets.asp?cmd=display&id=7

The rails will eventually fail due to the corrosion around these points, but you'd expect to get the 20/30year service-life from the majority of the rails.

farmer2018 · 22-02-2025 11:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123200108#Comment_123200108

Thanks for the education. Here's me thinking it would last a lifetime!

10-10-20 · 23-02-2025 12:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123200213#Comment_123200213

Some rails will, some won't!

Concrete Post and Rail Cracks

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