• Sewer Screwpiles (easements)

• Building Settlement Problems

• Underpinning

• Soil Retention & Shoring

• Modular Buildings

• Soil Stabilisation

• Simple Screwpile Solutions

• Problem Sites

• Swimming Pool and Cellar Excavations

• Underpinning Detail Domestic 30kN SWL

  Underpinning Detail for Single Story Domestic Housing 30kN SWL

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• Underpinning Detail Domestic 50kN SWL

  Underpinning Detail for Double Story Domestic Housing 50kN SWL

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• Underpinning Detail Domestic 75kN SWL

  Underpinning Detail for Domestic Housing 75kN SWL

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• Underpinning Shear-Head Detail 50-75kN SWL

  Underpinning Shear-Head Detail 50-75kN SWL

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Residential

Underpinning

Cracking of building walls can be the result of a number of factors. Some fine cracks on plasterwork can simply be shrinkage cracks and other than cosmetic are not a concern.  Where concerns extend beyond that an engineer should inspect the building provide a detailed report on the likely causes and recommended solutions for remedy.  Specialist Consulting Engineering firms such as Foundation Engineering Pty Ltd can provide a comprehensive investigation and solution at reasonable cost.  If building settlement is identified, one of the following is likely to be the cause:

• Nearby excavation and/or incorrect compacted fill procedures
• Adjoining property construction methods such as dewatering or compaction vibration or sheetpiling etc
• Changes in the soils moisture content, water tables, or horizontal ground water movement
• Limestone caverns underground
• Poor initial design and or construction methods

Underpinning is defined as the remedial work required to stabilise or realign existing foundations and footings.  Various piling and microfine cement grout soil injection techniques are used in the remedial works and sometimes jacking is required.  A recommended process to determine the extent of the problem and how to best rectify it is:

• Start monitoring the extent of movement as soon as possible and keep accurate records of dates and amount of movement.  This may save you time and money as it may not be necessary for an engineers to do extensive monitoring. 
• Once you have identified there is a problem make contact with our engineers. Note that the earlier they become involved the better the possible financial outcome.
• Once the report is done we can provide a quotation for the recommended solution.  Where insurance companies are involved the report will need to be forwarded on to them along with any quotation.

If you prefer to use an independent consulting engineer, the following have significant experience in building settlement in Western Australia:

• Reed Engineers
• Lalli & Associates
• Structerre
• Andreotta Cardenosa
• E-Tec Consultants
• Steve Burdett & Associates

It is extremely important that the engineering report is sufficiently detailed in that it identifies the extent of the problem so that the recommeded remedial works can be quoted on without the need for further engineering investigative work, otherwise you may be up for the costs of another engineering report.  In extreme cases of foundation movement immedate attention may be required as the structural integrity of the building may come into question.

The type of remedial work will depend on may factors including; height of water table, soil type, required depth of stabilisation, machinery access and environmental issues.  Email us for further advice.