Living On Shaky Ground: Foundation Settlement Problems

Living On shaky Ground Foundation Settlement Problems Causes of Foundation Failure Soll Upheaval Soil can expand and contract when expesed to etrene temperatures can cse sol to Can penetrate rough cenorete or cse the foundafon to shit, aposing the undelying sol hat ae b.t Backfiled soil can sele uneverly creating r pocketa under the foundation. can also accumulate acaingt the side of a hone btneath the foundon putting pressure ce ts structure Can release maisture thut soeps into the soilunte te foundaion ceusing the soil to espend can alse alow water to seep bengath the foundelion 1 in 4 U.S. homes have suffered expansive soil damage. $13 Billion The annual cost of expansive soil damage- more than floods, earthquakes, and tornados combined. Symptoms of a Failing Foundation Chimney tilting or leaning Gaps in caulking at windows or doors 1 Broken water lines 1 Drywall separation 1 Gas line breaks 1 Bowing, leaning, or bulging walls 1 Basement water leaks Cracks in walls or floor 1 Chimney tilting or leaning Watch out for horizontal and stair step cracks in walls-these often indicate severe lateral pressure against the wall and pose a serious risk of wall collapse! Famous Foundation Failures Structures are designed to be plumb-or perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the foundation-but soil erosion and inadequate support can have devastating results. Just take a look at these famously tilted structures: Leaning Tower of Pisa St. Mauritius Tower in St. Moritz, Switzerland Leaning Tower of Surhuusen 57 m 33 m 25.7 m 3.99* 5.19 5.08 Sources Infographic Provided By: http://realestate.msn.comis-that-crack-serious-foundation- iSsues-101?page=0 http:/faculty-staff.ou.edu CIAmy.B.Cerato-1/GeoStrata_ Sulfate Article.pdf http:/www.sip.ucar.edu'sourcebook'index jsp http:/pubs.usgs.gov/of/1993/ofr93-641/ http:/www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10five-us-earthqu/ http:/pubs.usgs. gov/fs/2003/fs017-03/images/useqs gif http://www.wired.co.uk/magazinelarchive/2010/10/play leaning-tower-ol-uae http://www.gading.com/2012/02/10/the-battle-of-leaning- towers-germany-wins/ United USS Structural Systems UNITID STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS Foundarios Stabikring and Farts Rutenlin TuctoY www.uss-nashville.com