The article considers the influence of the structure of polymer-cement plaster coating on the nature of its destruction during the operation of the wall structure. It was shown that the use of purposefully selected components of the mixture (RPP, polymer fiber, cellulose ethers, fine aggregate with a low modulus of elasticity, etc.) made it possible to increase the uniformity of its structure and contact area with masonry, reduce the number of cracks during hardening, and slow down their development during operation, increase the durability of it and the wall structure. The durability of the wall structure largely depends on the number of defects in the plaster coating and the contact area between it and the masonry.

The article rethinks the approach to the development of compositions of plaster mortar as the load on the plaster coating located on the 1st or 24th floor of the building differs significantly. To solve the problem within the framework of existing concepts, principles and regulatory requirements are not possible, as they are applicable to the solutions used in low-rise building. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop the scientific basis for the design of plaster mortar. In order to do that, it is necessary to analyze the processes occurring in the plaster coating when it is applied and hardened, the knowledge of the mechanism of the destruction of the "masonry - plaster coating" system, and the calculation and evaluation of stresses. The designated physical and mechanical parameters and the selected plaster mortar compositions should ensure the "work" of the system at the maximum level of such stresses.

To create the optimal composition of the plaster solution with the preassigned properties, it is necessary to know the processes taking place in the “masonry-coating” system, including in the contact zone between it and the masonry, the mechanism of its destruction. The purpose of the presented work was to describe the processes of occurrence and growth of cracks in the plaster coating and its contact zone with the masonry, in the process of its application, hardening and operation of the wall structure. In recent years, significant progress has been made in analyzing the reliability of plaster coatings, their behavior during operation, however, there are problems in predicting the evolution of damage in terms of initiation and growth of cracks, which ultimately leads to cracking and delamination of the plaster coating from masonry. The behavior of the plaster coating largely depends on its structure and the structure of the contact zone. The state of the “masonry-coating” system was described and this made it possible to obtain data on the process of its destruction, the appearance and spread of cracks. The system was destroyed according to two main schemes: formation and development of cracks in the coating and in the contact zone. Thus, these researches make it possible to reduce the number of defects in the contact zone with the masonry and increase the service life of the wall structure.