Yikes! I'd hate to be paying the tab on this! Looks like you've done your homework to get it supported before tearing it all out!
Foundation failure, this is a fun one...
I got called in on this. Foundation failure on an apartment building.
This is some of what we are dealing with.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Here is part of the solution. Needle beams, supported inside and out.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
We will be continuing the excavation and removing the damaged wall.
So far we have completed the footing for the wall that supports the steel beams, provided a drainage trench so the area did not fill up with rain and snow melt.
Started the dig below the beams yesterday, will finish up the dig next week. The engineer will evaluate the existing footing to see if it is suitable to rebuild upon. Then the rebuild...
I love this type of project.
This is some of what we are dealing with.
Here is part of the solution. Needle beams, supported inside and out.
We will be continuing the excavation and removing the damaged wall.
So far we have completed the footing for the wall that supports the steel beams, provided a drainage trench so the area did not fill up with rain and snow melt.
Started the dig below the beams yesterday, will finish up the dig next week. The engineer will evaluate the existing footing to see if it is suitable to rebuild upon. Then the rebuild...
I love this type of project.
7
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
The official cause is hydrostatic pressure. The story I got was a groundhog burrowed under the patio, we had a heavy rain event last fall and an abundance of water found it's way into the groundhog's den and blam-o that was that.
We demo-ed most of the damaged wall today, and you are correct. There is no reinforcement of any kind.
These buildings were constructed in the late 60's or early 70's, I guess that was standard practice back then.
It appears so, I did not really notice that before, I will look closer and see. That would be another issue that contributed to the failure.cleveman said:
It's not so bad, slow and steady....I did appreciate a small break from running the skid loader mid afternoon, I got to break up some of the wall with a sledge hammer. That helped me get my mind right.morning wood said:
Update:
We finished the dig and removal of the existing structure. The Engineer is going to examine the footing and soil to determine if additional work must be done prior to rebuilding the wall.
Some pics:
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
The columns were installed by others at the time of the wall failure, we did not disturb them, even though the temporary shoring wall was in place.
![]()
![]()
We finished the dig and removal of the existing structure. The Engineer is going to examine the footing and soil to determine if additional work must be done prior to rebuilding the wall.
Some pics:
The columns were installed by others at the time of the wall failure, we did not disturb them, even though the temporary shoring wall was in place.
6
Great Pics... Thanks.... Although sure hope I never run into that problem
Frozen is dry....until it melts.
We had to dig the frost off, each day, as we worked.
As far as the normal site conditions, it is not a "wet" area, and that is not what caused the failure.
It is probably pretty wet today, the 12+ inches of snow, since we finished the dig, is melting away.
Back on this project again. Lot's of delays due to things way out of my control, but we applied some sheet membrane to the foundation a few weeks ago and this week placed a couple tubes to support the terraces above.
The steel beams are to be removed next week, then we can start to fill and compact.
![]()
![]()
![]()
We are installing dimple board along the foundation, as well as draintile to daylight. We will install the rest of the membrane as we back fill.
The steel beams are to be removed next week, then we can start to fill and compact.
We are installing dimple board along the foundation, as well as draintile to daylight. We will install the rest of the membrane as we back fill.
3
The steel beams were removed earlier this week and we started the backfill phase.
![]()
![]()
This is the detail the architect provided for backfilling, a 1' column of #57 stone wrapped in filter fabric.
![]()
Our method to try and contain the stone fill while being able to compact the soil. Plywood panels with the filter fabric lining the inside, we would backfill along the outside, add about 1' of stone in the panel, raise the panels, compact the soil, repeat the process.
![]()
Filled to an elevation that will allow the masons to complete the repairs to the brick veneer, once they are done, we'll finish the filling and grading.
![]()
This is the detail the architect provided for backfilling, a 1' column of #57 stone wrapped in filter fabric.
Our method to try and contain the stone fill while being able to compact the soil. Plywood panels with the filter fabric lining the inside, we would backfill along the outside, add about 1' of stone in the panel, raise the panels, compact the soil, repeat the process.
Filled to an elevation that will allow the masons to complete the repairs to the brick veneer, once they are done, we'll finish the filling and grading.
5
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
