Gypsum board ceiling is cracking...

Specification & Product Discussions Construction Contract Administration Discussions
1

This question has also been posted in the Product Discussion forum, but perhaps the resolution or steps to resolution may be more appropriate to discuss in this CA forum. Sorry Colin for the double post!

I have a project with two identical high rise towers. The ceilings are USG suspended 5/8" Type X gypsum board. I have a reentrant corner (outside corner) condition that is causing some problems.

In tower 1, the ceiling of all 14 levels were installed by Contractor A, and they are fine.

In tower 2, the ceiling of all 14 levels were installed by Contractor B, and the ceiling of each level has cracked at that corner.

It appears that that suspended ceiling system connects at the corner where the ceiling is cracking, but in tower one, the connection is slightly off to one side.

We repaired a few of the cracked ceilings, but within a short time frame (6 weeks +/-), the cracking occurred again. It is not clear if the very minor differences in the suspended ceiling framing is the cause of the cracking.

Is there an installation guideline, procedure, or standard that we might rely on? We don’t want to force the contractor to revise the suspended ceiling framing at each floor (at significant cost and disruption to the inhabitants), unless we are sure this will work. Any help or advise would be appreciated.

TIA.

2

The USG handbook for gypsum construction, under the finishing of drywall, specifically indicates the location and frequency of control joints, which is probably what is happening.

There are different lengths of ceiling depending on restrained or unrestrained suspension.

Also, at each T, L, U or other change in direction.

It is always good to show expansion joints, but if you reference to install in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements then they are supposed to put them in, you just don’t get to say where.

3

Thanks William. In this case, we are under 30’ of area, and have an unrelieved edge condition. Per the red book (USG Handbook), that does not appear to require control joints in this condition. Though there are terms for edge cracking and center cracking. I think we may be experiencing “center cracking” eminating from the edge.

4

I found this installation guide on USG’s website, but it is silent on the issue:
http://www.usg.com/USG_Marketing_Content/usg.com/web_files/Documents/Installation_and_Appl_Guides/USGC_and_Donn_Ceilings-Installation_Guide.pdf