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Structural Repair:                  FOUNDATION FAILURE

Office:   828.484.9713  --  Cell:   828.712.6416

E-mail:  BILL SARGENT@SGTStructuralrepairs.com

Finished Encapsulation of Foundation

Renewed Foundation with Solid Block Wall & Footing!

This started as a Do-It-Yourself Project! The owners realized that they were way outside their skills set. They made the call to SGT Structural Repairs and it was fixed.

Notice How The Soil Has Been Removed By The Homeowner., the Numerous holes weakening the entire structure.
Foundation Failure-1
Foundation Failure 2
As you can see in this photo, another wall failure. In this area the homeowner removed about 1 1/2 foot of dirt.
We created a REBAR skeleton of Reinforced Steel Bars (Rebar) Wired Together To Form A Internal support system for the new foundation walls.

Next Step, Pouring The Concrete.
Rebar a New Foundation
Framed & Filled with Concrete
The concrete has been poured into the form. You Can See  that the Wired Rebar Forms are Filled With Concrete, Leveled, then & Smoothed.
We repeat this process for every wall. All of the wall forms are filled with the concrete. These reinforced wall forms are filled with Concrete, and the structure of Steel Rods Tied Together .
Poured Concrete into Frame
We wait until all of the concrete is set.

Next step the construction of the walls. WE used cinder block filled with rebar and concrete to build the wall.   
Layer by layer, we slowly begin the construction of the foundation walls. Put in a row of cinder block, insert a REBAR rod, ensure block is completely filled. This additional reinforcement makes the wall strong. 
The final cap extends & connects to the existing home foundation.
Some of the causes of Foundation Failure are:

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  • Unequal settlement of the soil
    • Unequal settlement of masonry
      • Subsoil moisture movement
        • Lateral pressure on the structure
          • Horizontal movement of the earth
            • Water run off - trees and shrubs
              • Atmospheric action

Uneven Settlement of the Soil:  

This is the most common causes of foundation failure. In this type of Foundation Failure cracks are created in the foundation of the structure. The uneven settlement of the soil causes uneven distribution of the load and its capacity. 


Proper treatment of problem soil conditions and the preparation of the foundation are extremely important to ensure a long-lasting structure that does not require excessive maintenance. Some agencies have recognized certain materials simply do not perform well and prefer to remove and replace such soils. However, in many cases, this is not the most economical or even desirable treatment (e.g., excavation may create disturbance, plus additional problems of removal and disposal).
 
Stabilization provides an alternate method to improve the structural support of the foundation for many of the sub grade conditions presented in the previous section. In all cases, the provision for a uniform soil relative to textural classification, moisture, and density in the upper portion of the sub grade cannot be over-emphasized. This uniformity can be achieved through soil sub-cutting or other stabilization techniques.
 
Stabilization may also be used to improve soil work ability, provide a weather resistant work platform, reduce swelling of expansive materials, and mitigate problems associated with frost heave. In this section, alternate stabilization methods will be reviewed, and guidance will be presented for the selection of the most appropriate method.

 

Unequal Settlement of the Masonry

The mortar used in the masonry has become compressed or has shrink. This can happen when applying a heavy load on it before it before the mortar had the opportunity to harden properly, this can causes the masonry to settle unevenly. This in turn, causes the Uneven Settlement of Masonry creating cracks in foundation thus causing failure of the foundation.

 
Sub-Soil Moisture Movement:

Also a common causes of foundation failure, Sub-soil Moisture movement  occur mainly in cohesive soil, this type of defect occurs when the water table changes many times. This fluctuation of ground water causes foundation failure. when the water table is GOING DOWN, this action compresses the soil which causes cracks to form in the structure. Then the action of the water table GOING UP, then the subsoil swell develops more pressure.

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Lateral Pressure on the Structure:
Due to the wind, a lateral force is applied to the superstructure (Roof / Walls). If foundation or structure is not designed to resist such forces, then the foundation or structure fails. To prevent this type of failure, design the structure with a sufficient base.
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Horizontal Movement of the Earth
Very soft soil can collapse under load action, especially on sloping ground, riverbanks, etc. In places like these, it may be necessary to build retaining walls or driving sheet pilings to prevent the soil from moving.
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Water Run Off - Trees and Shrubs
Rain water may form pockets along walls, and as it descends, it may carry certain chemicals and salts derived from sewage and other sources. These substances can react with the foundation materials and turn them into powder. 
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Tree roots planted near buildings can extend to the foundation level and absorb moisture. First a depression on the ground will appear, followed by cracks in foundation. 
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Atmospheric Action
Foundations may be damaged by heavy rains, a sudden temperature change, or frost. 

If you don't understand how to "Fix the Problem" then hire an expert; Bill Sargent (Owner / Master Craftsman) SGT Structural Repair has over 45 years of real-world experiences, call today to review your situation (828) 484-9713. 
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