Types of cracks
C.
Dynamic cracks
As the movement of these cracks can often not be limited perfectly, additional technical building measures may be required, e.g. installation of expansion rails, formation of visible joints (injection of suitable joint sealing compounds).
C.1
Cracks depending on the construction and design
C.2
Cracks due to the site

Straight regular or irregular, thin up to widely opened, horizontal or vertical. They occur e.g. in way of the ceiling connection, at the level of intermediate floors and edges of apertures (windows, doors), at the flashing and other weak points of the building.

Cracks passing through the masonry, in most cases broadly gaping.
Causes for cracks
Causes for cracks

Movements and deformations through compressive strength or tensile stress due to extension and settling.

Due to wind load.

Due to ceiling shear.

Due to missing pressure-relieving joints.

Connections of structural components or building materials with different properties.

Geological settlements.
Caused by movements of the site, earthquakes, mining operations (subsidence damages) and the like.

Vibrations due to road, rail, air traffic and the like.
Source of the pictures and texts: BSF note no. 19, January 1997
Cracks in exterior plasters, coatings and reinforcements, editor:
Bundesausschuss Farbe und Sachwertschutz e.V., Hahnstraße 70, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main