This article explains foundation failure, sign of foundation failure, causes of foundation failure, types and repair.
Table of Contents
Foundation Failure: What It Is
Foundation failure is a critical situation that occurs when the soil beneath a building begins to slide or sink due to natural disasters or other causes. A poorly constructed foundation can result in the floor sinking and the entire building collapsing, causing major accidents and loss of life.
The foundation is responsible for providing a firm base for the building, which gives it the strength to withstand various conditions. Therefore, the issue of foundation failure must be given special attention when constructing buildings. A weak foundation cannot provide the desired results and increases the risk of losing the structure if any soil movement occurs in the future.
It is imperative to establish a strong foundation for a building to stand the test of time. Many ancient monuments still stand today because of their solid foundation, even after a long period of time. A foundation acts as the root of a building, providing it with stability and balance. A strong foundation is essential for the long-term durability of a structure.
Signs Of Foundation Failure
1. Cracks in the foundation:
Cracks in the foundation walls or floor can be a sign of foundation settlement or other issues.
2. Uneven floors:
Uneven floors or sloping floors can indicate foundation settling or shifting.
3. Doors and windows sticking:
Difficulty opening or closing doors and windows can be caused by the foundation shifting or settling.
4. Gaps around windows and doors:
Gaps between windows and doors and the surrounding frame may be due to foundation movement.
5. Sagging or uneven roof:
A sagging or uneven roof can indicate foundation problems.
6. Cracks in exterior walls:
Cracks in exterior walls may be caused by foundation movement.
7. Chimney leaning:
A leaning chimney is a sign of foundation settlement.
8. Cracks in the drywall:
Cracks in the drywall may indicate foundation problems.
9. Cracks in the brickwork:
Cracks in the brickwork can indicate foundation movement.
10. Gaps between the ceiling and walls:
Gaps between the ceiling and walls may be due to foundation settlement.
11. Nails popping out:
Nails popping out of drywall or trim can indicate foundation movement.
12. Plumbing problems:
Plumbing problems such as leaks or clogs can be a sign of foundation settling or shifting.
13. Cracks in the basement floor:
Cracks in the basement floor may be caused by foundation settlement.
14. Mold or mildew:
Mold or mildew growth in the basement or crawl space may indicate foundation problems.
15. Cracks in the driveway or sidewalks:
Cracks in the driveway or sidewalks may be due to foundation movement.
Causes Of Foundation Failure
1. Load Transfer Failure:
When the interconnected rigidity of an assembly of walls, floors, frames, and partitions are absent, load transfer will be through a single support, and if this single support is missing in the soil, the structure may fail.
2. Undermining Safe Support:
If a new construction project undermines an existing support system, cracks in the existing structure may occur, and sometimes tragic collapse of the foundation may also take place.
3. Lateral Movement:
1 inch of lateral movement of a foundation can cause more damage than 1 inch of vertical settlement. Lateral movements occur either due to the elimination of existing lateral resistances or from the addition of active lateral pressures.
4. Unequal Support:
When the soil resistances are not identical, differential settlements occur, which can lead to the tipping of the structure, the portion of the structure founded on the weaker soil will tip away.
5. Heave:
If the soil below the footing is removed or disturbed, settlement or lateral movement can be induced, and if the entire structure settles at a slow rate for a longer period, large differential settlements will result in damage to the structure.
6. Drag Down:
Piles embedded in soil layers will consolidate due to dewatering or from load surcharge acting on the ground, causing the new soil loads to hang on the piles, which can result in negative friction and considerable increase in settlement, and may even pull the pile out of the pile cap.
7. Design Error:
A common design error is often made in order to save initial construction costs. For instance, the designers provide pile support for the walls and the roof, while the main floor is placed on compacted sand overfills.
Types Of Foundation Failures
1. Settlement:
This occurs when the soil beneath a foundation compresses and causes the foundation to sink unevenly. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor soil conditions, inadequate foundation design, or changes in moisture content.
2. Heave:
This occurs when the soil beneath a foundation swells and pushes the foundation upward. It can be caused by expansive soils or changes in moisture content.
3. Lateral movement:
This occurs when the foundation shifts horizontally due to uneven soil conditions or pressure from adjacent structures.
4. Cracking:
This occurs when the foundation experiences excessive stress, leading to cracks in the foundation walls or floors. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor construction techniques, inadequate reinforcement, or excessive loads.
5. Rotting or decay:
This occurs when the foundation is made of wood and is exposed to moisture or pests, leading to decay or rot.
6. Slope instability:
This occurs when the foundation is built on a slope and the soil is prone to erosion or landslides.
7. Corrosion:
This occurs when the foundation is made of metal and is exposed to moisture or chemicals, leading to corrosion and weakening of the foundation.
How To Repair Foundation Failures
- Identify the cause of the foundation failure: Before any repair work can be done, it’s important to determine the underlying cause of the foundation failure. Common causes include soil movement, poor construction, plumbing leaks, and inadequate drainage. A foundation repair specialist can assess the situation and determine the cause of the problem.
- Evaluate the extent of the damage: Depending on the severity of the foundation failure, there may be a range of repair options available. The foundation repair specialist can evaluate the extent of the damage and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
- Install piers or underpinning: In some cases, foundation failure can be repaired by installing piers or underpinning. These are support systems that are installed underneath the foundation to stabilize and lift it back into place. There are several different types of piers and underpinning systems available, including helical piers, push piers, and slab piers.
- Repair cracks and other damage: If there are cracks or other damage to the foundation, these will need to be repaired as part of the overall foundation repair process. Depending on the extent of the damage, this may involve filling cracks with epoxy or polyurethane injections, or even rebuilding parts of the foundation.
- Improve drainage: In some cases, foundation failure is caused by poor drainage around the foundation. To prevent future problems, it may be necessary to improve the drainage by installing French drains, gutters, or other drainage solutions.
- Monitor the foundation: After the repair work is complete, it’s important to monitor the foundation to ensure that the problem has been fully resolved. A foundation repair specialist can provide guidance on how to monitor the foundation and what to look out for.