Austin Foundation Repair:   Get a Second Opinion

…Unfortunately, Foundation Repair can be very costly, so get a second opinion before you hire a repair contractor-if not by a Texas Licensed Engineer, than by someone who does not stand to gain financially from repairing your foundation system…

cracked brick wallWhat kind of foundation system does your home have? Is it a slab with steel or cable? Perhaps a pier & beam? Is it doing its job? How do you know? How do you repair it? Will it be safe? Can I rely on what my builder or “home” inspector tells me?
A building foundation system separates your home or building from the supporting ground. It prevents your floor, walls and roof from moving along with the soil it sits on, and helps protect you and your family from the outside elements.
Foundation design types vary geographically. Local soil conditions, climate, and material and labor availability influence foundation design styles. Many homes in the Midwest and northeastern part of the U. S. have basements, while southern and western U. S. homes tend to be built atop solid concrete slab-on-grade foundations systems. Both foundation types are functional and respond to the needs of the locality.
Foundation performance varies from house-to-house, and from building-to-building. Foundation failure does not appear to be related to geography or locality. Often, a residential area with expansive soils may be interpreted as an area with a higher than average risk of foundation failure, where the failure is attributed to the poor soil conditions. In reality, the failure is correctly placed upon novice level design, construction and foundation evaluation techniques.
Foundation and wall cracks may suggest impending problems such as abnormal water infiltration or other structural irregularities. If your foundation is too rigid or too flexible, you may see signs of distress like brittle material fractures on the inside or outside of your home. This does not necessarily mean your foundation is physically broken. It may be that your foundation performs poorly due to improper design and construction.
But how do you know if your foundation is “broken” and needs repair? What type of inspector should you hire to inspect and determine if your foundation system has problems? To find out, ask your prospective inspector the following questions:
  1. What is your educational background? (correct answer: I have an accredited engineering degree from a four year college or university);
  2. What type of foundation inspection training do you have? (correct answer: I have a professional engineering license within the state of ________ and I have inspected over 500 foundations;
  3. How long have you been designing and building foundations? (correct answer: I have over ten years foundation design and construction experience).
If your prospective foundation inspector does not answer these three questions correctly as noted above, then it’s likely that inspector is a novice. Do you really want to trust the most important (and likely most expensive) part of your house or building to a less skilled “home inspector”?
The bottom line is this: If you suspect you may have problems with your foundation, hire a licensed professional engineer to evaluate it. That way, you’ll get a state licensed professional with the best combination of education, training and experience to diagnose and properly repair your foundation. Your piece of mind and the health of your home or building foundation are well worth it.

Austin Foundation Repair:   Get a Second Opinion  Austin Foundation Repair:   Get a Second Opinion  Austin Foundation Repair:   Get a Second Opinion

Posted on August 14, 2009 by admin | Comments Off on Austin Foundation Repair: Get a Second Opinion

What Every “Austinite” Should Know About Structural Engineering

Posted on August 14, 2009 by admin

Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads economically. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right.

Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item’s function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants).

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different geometries and materials. Structural engineering design utilises a relatively small number of basic structural elements to build up structural systems that can be very complex. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.Structural engineers are responsible for engineering design and analysis. Entry-level structural engineers may design the individual structural elements of a structure, for example the beams, columns, and floors of a building. More experienced engineers would be responsible for the structural design and integrity of an entire system, such as a building.

Structural engineers often specialise in particular fields, such as bridge engineering, building engineering, pipeline engineering, industrial structures or special structures such as vehicles or aircraft.

Structural engineering has existed since humans first started to construct their own structures. It became a more defined and formalised profession with the emergence of the architecture profession as distinct from the engineering profession during the industrial revolution in the late 19th Century. Until then, the architect and the structural engineer were often one and the same – the master builder. Only with the understanding of structural theories that emerged during the 19th and 20th century did the professional structural engineer come into existence.

The role of a structural engineer today involves a significant understanding of both static and dynamic loading, and the structures that are available to resist them. The complexity of modern structures often requires a great deal of creativity from the engineer in order to ensure the structures support and resist the loads they are subjected to. A structural engineer will typically have a four or five year undergraduate degree, followed by a minimum of three years of professional practice before being considered fully qualified.

Structural engineers are licensed or accredited by different learned societies and regulatory bodies around the world (for example, the Institution of Structural Engineers in the UK). Depending on the degree course they have studied and/or the jurisdiction they are seeking licensure in, they may be accredited (or licensed) as just structural engineers, or as civil engineers, or as both civil and structural engineers.

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FramingStructural Opening – Knocking Two Rooms Into One and Fitting a Steel RSJ

By Kirk Smith
When we consider a structural knock through or opening in a wall, the procedure is not so different to perhaps creating an opening in a wall for a new window or door. But, this does not mean that the materials will be of the same specification as each individual job will possess its own structural requirement.
Is The Wall A Load Bearing Wall?
The first thing to be determined is whether or not the structure you plan on altering is load bearing or not. It will be necessary to carry out some elementary checks to know for sure whether it is load bearing or not.
Just Exactly What Is A Load Bearing Wall And How Do We Deal With It?
If a wall has any other structure above it or load as the case may be then we can consider this wall to be load bearing and as such will need to accommodate any necessary support when removing any part of it. It is quite common in many houses for dividing walls to carry the load of the first floor joists. They will therefore need some sort of support before any alteration can be made.
Supporting the load is commonly achieved by the use of steel acrow props which are inserted into the wall alongside timber needles to offer support whilst removing part of the structure.
How To Tell If A Wall Is Non Load Bearing
If the joists run at right angles to the wall then it is almost certainly carrying a load from first floor level and provisions will need to be put in place to support the load. If the joists run parallel to the wall then it is unlikely the wall is carrying any timber joists etc, but may however, still be carrying another load. You can clarify this by making some inspection holes at ceiling level and also going upstairs to see if you can see what runs on top of the wall.
For most room opening jobs or knock through’s though, you will be making your opening at a height of around 2.5 metres leaving a about 0.5 metres from the ceiling so in any case, there will still be a load to support.
The Process Of The Knock Through
OK, so we will assume that you now know the load bearing status of the wall so you can now start to prepare the job ahead. You will need to check some basic things first. Are there any heating appliances on the wall that need taken off? Are any electrical sockets in the way? If they are, you will need to get your plumber and electrical contractor to ensure any wiring or plumbing changes are carried out prior to the work being commencing.
Structural Calculations Are Vital
Prior to any structural modification you must have the load calculated by either a capable builder or preferably a structural engineer. Each job is different and may warrant a different set of rules to accommodate different loads of a structure. Typically on a domestic single leaf knock through with perhaps a 2 metre opening in a load bearing wall, a steel RSJ would be put in place to take the load above. The dimensions of this RSJ will vary and in all cases must adhere to current building control, who in all cases will want to inspect any such structural alteration. If you are in doubt at any stage of the job, you should contact your building officer for help and guidance. Remember, they are there to help you.
The Initial Stages Of The Structural Alteration
Mark the area out on the wall to reflect the opening you are planning. Additionally, mark out the where the supporting RSJ or lintel will go. The RSJ should lay on a concrete pad stone and have a minimum 6 inch bearing on each side of the wall opening. With a lump hammer and bolster, chop out the plaster from the wall to show the brickwork beneath. Repeat this procedure on both sides. Now make holes in the wall, for every metre, above where you will be positioning the steel RSJ. It is in these holes that you will place your needles which are held up by acrow props. These props will take the weight of the structure until you get the steel RSJ in place. Clean your work area and prepare any necessary platform to make your work easier for when it comes to lifting in the steel RSJ. Fitting the RSJ will need a minimum of two strong men. You will also need to ensure the RSJ has fixing points to fix your plasterboard to afterwards when making good the plasterwork and alteration.
The RSJ should be on pad stones with 6 inch minimum bearings either side and bedded on a firm mix or sand and cement at a ratio of 3:1. Once the steel is in bedded you must check for level and plumb and when satisfied build up the brickwork from on top to make a tight fit between existing brickwork and steel RSJ. Use slate to pack in and close any gap.
You should leave any supports in place until the next day or when the mortar set hard. After this point it will be safe to take them out. Afterwards, fill in the holes you made for the timber needles with leftover bricks and point up and pack in tight with slates.
The process of carrying out any structural modification should only be undertaken by a fully competent and experienced builder. All structural works should have loads professionally calculated before any part of a structure is removed. If In any doubt, contact your local building inspector for help and support.
Kirk Smith’s company 4K Construction are professional builders from Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. Please visit
4K Constructions Builders Talk for professional help and advice on construction, DIY, and all aspects of building.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirk_Smith
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 Structural Opening – Knocking Two Rooms Into One   Structural Opening – Knocking Two Rooms Into One and Fitting a Steel RSJand Fitting a Steel RSJ  Structural Opening – Knocking Two Rooms Into One and Fitting a Steel RSJ
Posted on June 29, 2009 by admin | Comments Off on Structural Opening – Knocking Two Rooms Into One and Fitting a Steel RSJ