repair foundation cracks

4/30/12 How to Evaluate and Diagnose Foundation Cracks: Foundation cracking, foundation bowing, foundatio…

1/12www.inspectapedia.com/structure/FoundationCracks.htm

SearchInspectAPedia® InspectAPedia

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis,

RepairAsk a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HOME AIR CONDITIONING ELECTRICAL EXTERIORS HEATING HOME INSPECTION INTERIORS PLUMBING ROOFING SEPTIC SYSTEMS STRUCTURE WATER SUPPLY

ENERGY SAVINGS ENVIRONMENT INDOOR AIR IAQ INSULATION MOLD INSPECT TEST REMOVE NOISE ODORS SOLAR ENERGY VENTILATION EXPERTS DIRECTORY CONTACT US

Mobile ViewSTRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS

ADVANCED INSPECTION METHODSAGE of a BUILDING - how to determineARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID

BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPSBASEMENT WATERPROOFINGBEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDEBRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLSBRICK STRUCTURAL WALL Loose BulgedBrick Thermal Expansion CrackingBRICK VENEER WALL Loose, BulgedBRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLESBUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDEBUILDING SETTLEMENT

CHIMNEY CHASE Construction & DefectsCHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIRCOLUMNS & POSTS, DEFECTSCONCRETE FOUNDATIONSCONCRETE FOUNDATIONS, PRE-CASTCracks, Checking or Splitting Beams & Log HomesCRAWL SPACES

DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTIONDeck Construction Best PracticesDECK COLLAPSE Case StudyDECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVESDECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case StudyDECKS, ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION

DEBRIS STAINING on ROOFSDEFINITIONS of Mobile Home, Doublewide, Modular,PanelizedDEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etcDEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLSDEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDEDISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONSENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGSENGINEERED WOOD FlooringENGINEERED WOOD Products

FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE

The Foundation CrackBible: How to Diagnose &Evaluate FoundationCracks InspectAPedia® - ShareThis

How to Evaluate Foundation Cracks & DamageHow to Evaluate Vertical Foundation CracksHow to Evaluate Horizontal Foundation Cracks

How to Distinguish Foundation Shrinkage, Expansion, Settlement CracksQuestions & answers about the cause and repair of all types of building foundation and floor slabcracks.

This article series describes how to recognize and diagnose various types of foundation failure or damage,such as foundation cracks, masonry foundation crack patterns, and moving, leaning, bulging, or bowingbuilding foundation walls. If you don't see information you want, ask us for it using the comments box on thispage.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

This foundation crack diagnosis and repair article serie3s discusses in detail the process of evaluatingfoundation cracks and signs of foundation damage by examining the crack size, shape, pattern, and location.Foundation cracks and movement are discussed by type and location of foundation cracks, verticalfoundation cracks, horizontal cracks, and diagonal foundation cracks, and shrinkage cracking.

To be used properly, this information must be combined with specific on-site observations at the particularbuilding in order to form a reliable opinion about the condition of that building's foundation. Anyone havingconcern regarding the structural stability, safety, or damage of a building, foundation or other components,should consult a qualified expert.

See this close companion article: FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL which describes the types offoundation damage, cracks, leaks, or other defects associated with each type of foundation material(concrete, brick, stone, concrete block, etc.).

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics

and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION - How to Inspect & EvaluateBuilding Foundation Cracks & Movement & Foundation Crack

Patterns

This is a chapter of "The Foundation Crack Bible". Use links at page left to read other document sections.

Foundation cracks, which are signs of foundation damage, can mean very different things depending on thematerial from which a foundation is made, the location, size, and shape of the foundation crack, and othersite observations. The size, shape, pattern, location of foundation cracks on a building, along with correlationwith other site and construction conditions helps distinguish among probable causes.

Ads by Google

Foundation

Concrete Floor

Concrete Brick

Ads by Google

Foundation

Concrete Floor

Concrete Brick

Foundations Experts www.ServiceMagic.com

Enter Your Zip Code & Connect To Local Experts,Get Free Estimates!

Foundation Crack Repair foundationsupportworks.com/repair

We Repair Foundations; Get a Free FoundationCrack Repair Inspection!

Ask a Cement Engineer Engineering.JustAnswer.com/Cement

3 Structural Engineers Are Online. QuestionsAnswered Every 9 Seconds.

Overhead Garage Repar www.aandkgaragedoor.com/

24 hour emergency service For Overhead GarageDoors Call Now

Reliable Handyman Service Find a Trusted, Local Handyman. Compare Multiple Quotes & Save 48%! Redbeacon.com/Handyman

Foundation Repair Cost Free Estimates From Pre-Screened Foundation Contractors In Your Area homeblue.com/Foundation-Repair

Find Projects Up For Bid 1000s of Commercial Construction Jobs in Pre-design thru Bid Stage ReedConstructionData.com

Construction Standards Official Construction Industry Site Commercial Resources, Events & More www.csinet.org

WLH Construction Company Earth Retention Systems Shoring, Soil Nails, Micropiles www.wlhconstruction.com

Proctor Wall Jacks Braces Raise & Set Wood Wall Sections Fast Shipping and Wholesale Prices www.IndustrialLadder.com/Proctor



FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUPFLOODS IN BUILDINGS-moldFLOOR, ENGINEERED WOOD & LAMINATESFLOOR FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILEFLOOR TYPES & DEFECTSFLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATIONFLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS

FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINSFOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTSFOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPESFOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERSFOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINSFOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? CRAWL SPACES

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION CRACK MONITORING Methods DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT Sinkholes & Building Damage Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION SLAB CRACK REPAIR

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES CONCRETE FOUNDATION, WALL, SLAB DEFECTS CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT Bulge & step cracks Earthquake Damage to Foundations Flood Damage to Foundations Foundation Movement During Collapse Other Foundation Step cracks HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS Bulging, Leaning & Sliding Wall Horizontal Foundation Creep Horizontal Movement & step cracks in brick Impact Damage to Foundations Thermal Expansion Cracking in Brick SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS

SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks Leaning or Tipping Buildings Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODSFOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONSFOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

with other site and construction conditions helps distinguish among probable causes.

By knowing the probable cause and history of foundation cracking or movement one can distinguish betweencontinuing movement (more likely to be a problem) and single events which may, depending on extent ofdamage, not require repair. This chapter elaborates types and patterns of foundation cracks to assist in thatevaluation.

General Suggestions for the Evaluation of Foundation Cracks

Links at page left discuss the evaluation of individual types of building foundation cracks. Here are somegeneral suggestions:

Look at shape, pattern, frequency of occurrence, relationship to wall discontinuities and angles,

placement of wall penetrations, correlation with cracks in floors, and location in the wall (corners, center), aswell as length, width, continuity, age of wall, relation to site conditions (depth of backfill, blasting, rock).

Shrinkage cracks are usually uniform in width or (less common) vee-shaped, wider at top and diminishing

or stopping before reaching the bottom of the foundation wall (where attachment to footing may tend to holdfoundation wall materials in place). A wall crack which continues into the floor is likely to involve the buildingfootings and may be a settlement crack of more structural importance.

Concrete shrinks as it cures. In poured concrete, shrinkage cracks may be non-uniform if wall components

are held by footings/framing; very often there are minor shrinkage cracks which are hairline, random,intermittent, multiple, and meandering in the concrete, forming discontinuous cracks in the wall. Shrinkagecracks occur as concrete cures, appearing more frequently and larger if the mix was improper and wherecontrol joints were omitted. Omission or pattern of placement of steel reinforcement may also be a factor incrack formation and location.

Poured concrete shrinkage cracks: usually shrinkage cracking is due to conditions at original

construction: poor mix, rapid curing, possibly other conditions. Shrinkage cracks are less likely to requirestructural monitoring and repair in poured concrete as they would be expected to continue after initial curing.

Concrete block foundation walls shrink as they cure. They rarely expand much on exposure to moisture

and temperature variations. In concrete block walls shrinkage cracks are likely to be uniform in width andusually occur towards the center of a concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall. The wall is stronger at the buildingcorners.

Brick walls do not normally shrink, but rather, grow indefinitely. Bricks are not often used for below-gradefoundations but were often used above-grade supporting the first floor of older buildings, and of course entirebuildings may be constructed using structural brick walls (look for the bond courses). If you see a crack in abrick wall it's more likely due to movement in the structure, a support problem, or due to thermal expansion.Cracks in structural brick walls may be very serious if the bond courses are broken as there is then a risk ofsudden catastrophic wall collapse. Cracks and especially bulged cracked brick walls need immediate expertinvestigation.

Stone foundation walls do not normally crack through individual stones, but the interlaced stone layout ofthe wall may be bulged and cracked due to damage from frost, loading from driving vehicles near the wall, orby the removal of stones to pass piping or make doorways. As with other cases of foundation movement, adiagnosis of the cause, amount of movement, and effects on structure are needed to decide what repair maybe needed.

VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS - Vertical Foundation CrackPatterns



FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS Bulged foundation Repairs Crack Repair Methods FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods Horizontal Movement Repairs Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To Shrinkage Crack Repairs SLAB CRACK REPAIR Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

FOUNDATION SETTLEMENTFOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIRFRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATIONFRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSESFRAMING CONNECTORS & JOIST HANGERSFRAMING FASTENERS, NAILS, SCREWS, & HIDDENFRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILEFRAMING MATERIALS, Age, TypesFRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCEFRAMING METHODS, Age, TypesFRAMING SIZE & Spacing, Age, TypesFRAMING TABLES, SPANS for DECKS

FRENCH DRAINSFROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLABFRT PLYWOOD

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSIONGLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTIONGRADING & SITE WORK, EXTERIORGUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONSHOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS

ICE DAM PREVENTIONI-JOISTS, Wood Roof FloorINSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDEINSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONLOG HOME GUIDELVL Laminated Veneer Lumber, Beams

MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERSMODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTIONMOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

OSB - Oriented Strand Board

PANELIZED CONSTRUCTIONPLASTER BULGES & PILLOWSPLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDSPLYWOOD Roof, Wall, Floor Decks & SheathingPORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENINGPRE-CUT & KIT HOMESPreservative-Treated Framing Lumber

RAILINGS, DECK & PORCHRAILINGS, STAIRWAYRETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGERETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGSROT, FUNGUS, TERMITESROT, TIMBER FRAME

SEARS KIT HOUSESSEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETYSHEATHING, FIBERBOARDSHEATHING, Gypsum boardSHEATHING Homasote & Other BoardSHEATHING, OSBSHEATHING, PlywoodSHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTSSIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo GuideSINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNSSINKING BUILDINGS

SLAB CRACK EVALUATION Control Joint Cracks in Concrete Freezing & Water Damage Frost Heave/Expansive Soil Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks vs. Frost Heaves Settlement Cracks vs. Shrinkage Cracks

In the photos shown here, substantive cracks appeared and continued to increase in size in this pouredconcrete foundation used to support a modular home which had recently been completed. The cracks andfoundation movement were probably due to a combination of: poorly prepared foundation footings, blastingon an adjacent building lot to prepare that site for new construction, and possibly omission of steelreinforcement in the poured wall.

The cracks in this building foundation wall were visible shortly after construction as vertical hairline openings(less than 1/16" wide) in the right hand foundation wall, above grade and inside in the basement. Within ayear the owner reported several times that the cracks were becoming noticeably wider.

A careful inspection of the building interior suggested that the front foundation wall and portions of the rightfoundation wall were settling. There were no corresponding cracks in the finished surfaces of the structure,probably because this was very stiffly-framed modular construction. Notwithstanding the absence of damageupstairs, this was a problem that deserved further evaluation and repairs. The builder may have repaired thefoundation by supporting it from below using one of the methods described at FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS

This settlement crack probably occurred during initial footing settlement. Notice that it is wider at the top thanthe bottom of the crack.

This suggests that the footing to the left or right of the crack has moved downwards, with further downwardsmovement as we move further from the crack itself.

If this is new construction and the crack does not change in width the site conditions may have stabilized.

Additional photographs of types of foundation cracks and other foundation damage: we have an extensivelibrary of photographs which will be added to this document. Pending completion of that work, contact theauthor if assistance is required with images.

In masonry between two structures - differential settlement or thermal movement

Straight or wandering, in poured concrete, generally even width, intermittent, or more often straight- shrinkage / thermal - low risk

Straight generally even width, in a masonry block wall, in mortar joints but possibly right through

concrete block - shrinkage / thermal - low to modest risk

Straight or stepped in brick, esp. near ends of wall - expansion / thermal, potentially dangerous if wall

bond courses are broken, collapse risk.

In wall, wider at bottom than top - settlement under building. These cracks may be less serious thanhorizontal when found in a masonry block wall. These cracks could be quite serious when found in abrick wall, especially if bond courses are broken and there is risk of collapse.

Note: vertical foundation cracks often appear in multiples multiple cracks in one or more area.

While a vertical foundation crack could be serious depending on its cause and on the type of foundation inwhich it appears (stone, brick, masonry block, concrete), these are often the least threat to the building. If



Settlement Cracks vs. Shrinkage Cracks Shrinkage Cracks in Slabs Shrinkage Cracks Along Foundation Walls

SLAB CRACK REPAIR Control Joint Cracks in Concrete Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To Standards for Repair of Cracks in Floors Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

Splits in Structural Wood BeamsSTAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOGSTAINS on BUILDINGS - QUICK GUIDESTAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORSSTAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPSSTONE CLEANING METHODSSTONE FOUNDATIONSSTONE VENEER WALLSSTRAW BALE CONSTRUCTIONSTRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELSSTUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHERSTUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATIONSTUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATIONSTUCCO PAINT FAILURESSUMP PUMPS GUIDESWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

TERMITES, ROTTHERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALSTHERMAL MASS in BUILDINGSTRUSS UPLIFT, ROOFTRUSSES, Floor & Roof

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGSVENTILATION in buildingsVINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildingsVINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO

WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDINGWATER ENTRY in BUILDINGSWIND ENERGY SYSTEMSWIND TURBINES & LIGHTNINGWIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVESWINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types

WINTERIZE A BUILDINGWOOD FOUNDATIONS

More Information

which it appears (stone, brick, masonry block, concrete), these are often the least threat to the building. If

there is significant vertical dislocation or signs of ongoing movement, further investigation is more urgent.

If the cause is shrinkage (concrete, masonry block) it is probably less of a concern than if due to

settlement. A vertical crack due to earth loading or frost would be unusual.

DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS - Diagonal & Step Crack

Patterns in Building Foundations

This settlement crack probably occurred during initial footingsettlement. Notice that it is wider at the top than the bottom ofthe crack. This suggests that the footing to the left or right ofthe crack has moved downwards, with further downwardsmovement as we move further from the crack itself. If this isnew construction and the crack does not change in width thesite conditions may have stabilized.

Clues to help diagnose the probable cause of diagonal foundation cracks in buildings:

From corner towards adjacent opening, wider at top than bottom - often due to foundation settlement,expansive clay soil, frost damage, or damage from a shrub/tree close to the foundation wall.

Under a ground floor window, from sill to ground, sill bowed up - often due to foundation heave, clay soil,frost, shallow or absent footings

In the foundation wall anywhere, wider at bottom than top - settlement under building

At building corners in cold climates - frost heave, frost lensing, shallow footings, water problem, orinsufficient backfill. In a typical raised ranch with a garage located in part of the basement, and with thegarage entering at one end of a home, we often find step cracks in the front and rear foundation wallsonly on the garage-end of the home. These cracks may correspond to some related observations: (1)there may be less backfill against the front and rear foundation walls where a garage entry is locatedbetween them; (2) the reduction in backfill combined with an un-heated garage may expose thesebuilding corners to more frost damage; (3) if a building downspout or gutter defect spills roof drainageagainst the building wall, these forces will often combine to make more severe frost cracks appear onthe garage-entry end of the home.

Vertical or diagonal crack which over a short time - settlement over sink holes- serious, open suddenlyafter rain; or ravines, mulch, fill, organic debris (later rots and settles).

Over window/door, straight or diagonal - loading/header defect - may appear as horizontal along top orbottom of header, vertical at ends of header (possibly due to differences in thermal expansion ofdifferent materials of header vs. wall) or vertical/diagonal at center of header (loading failure) or atcorners (possible point-load failure)

Cracks in a poured concrete foundation which are diagonal or vertical and which are generally uniform

in width, or which taper to an irregular hairline form, usually in fact a discontinuous crack in the hairlinearea, are usually shrinkage cracks and should not be ongoing nor of structural significance, though theymay invite water entry through the wall.

Note that often at these foundation failures cracks are visible both outside and inside, but outside they maybe covered by backfill.

For detecting evidence of sink holes in an area by visual inspection see Sink Holes: Can X-Ray Vision

[Advanced Building & Building Site Inspection Techniques] Warn of Sink Holes? in Florida or elsewhere

HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS - Patterns

These notes presume that you are examining a wall which is entirely or nearly all below-grade level.

Horizontal Foundation Cracks Located High on a Foundation Wall

Horizontal foundation cracks located in the upper third of a concrete block wall (presuming most of the wall isbelow grade) are most likely to have been caused by vehicle loading or in freezing climates, by surface andsubsurface water combined with frost. In northern climates if we see cracked mortar joints in the top third of ablock wall, at about the same depth as the frost line in that area the damage is almost certainly due to frost.Often outside we'll find corroborating evidence such as drip lines below the building eaves confirming ahistory of roof spillage against the building, and back inside we may see that the foundation damage isoccurring only at the building walls below roof eaves and not at the gable ends of the home.

Cold climates- frost, possible displacement inwards

Possible vehicle loading, displacement inwards



Horizontal Foundation Cracks Located at Mid-wall Height on a Foundation

Masonry block or stone walls which are cracked and/or bulging inwards at mid height on the wall are likely tohave been damaged by vehicle traffic or earth loading.

Possible vehicle loading (look for a driveway near the wall or site history involving movement of heavyequipment near the wall)

Backfill damage - excessive height or premature backfill before the first floor framing was in place.

Hillsides - earth loading or earth loading exacerbated by water or frost

Areas of wet soils - likely to be earth-loading or earth loading exacerbated by water or frost

Horizontal Foundation Cracks Located Low on a Foundation Wall

The forces exerted by soils against a foundation wall increase geometrically as we move from surface level ofthe soil against the wall to the areas near the bottom of the wall. In other words, earth pressure is greatest atthe bottom of the wall. This fact helps us distinguish between frost or water-related cracking and simple earthloading in some cases since a wall which has become dislocated laterally only at or near its bottom is likelyto have been damaged by earth loading.

Earth Loading, especially if in an area of dense or wet soils

Horizontal dislocation of a masonry block or brick wall may appear first as a crack and then later ashorizontal movement as a wall is pushed inwards by earth or wet soil pressure.

Horizontal Cracks in an Attached Garage Foundation

Construction methods for attached garages (as opposed to a garage located under a home and adjoining itsbasement) may create some special opportunities for foundation cracks:

Shallow garage footings: The garage foundation footings are less deep than the house footings,exposing the foundation to other risks of frost or settlement damage and movement.

Garage additions: The garage may have been added after original construction, creating newly-disturbed soils around the foundation and footings that have settled more recently than that of theoriginal home.

Garage slab settlement and cracking: A garage foundation is often constructed as a concrete footingand a low masonry block wall, followed by dumping fill inside this structure to raise the level of thegarage slab to the desired height. A common construction error is the omission of adequate soilcompacting before the garage slab is poured. A related common construction shortcut for these"raised slabs" (on fill, higher than and not resting on the garage wall foundation footings), is theomission of pins connecting the slab to the garage foundation wall at its elevated position.

The result of these details is that as the soils below the slab settle and compact the slab can move andsettle significantly. Depending on the amount of garage floor slab reinforcement (wire or re-bar ornone), the slab may crack as well as tip and settle. How does garage slab settlement crack the garagefoundation walls? The weight of a garage floor slab, combined with the weight of vehicles in the garage,compresses the soil below the slab. Soil pressure includes an outwards force which can causehorizontal cracks in a masonry block garage foundation wall. Look for these cracks outside the garageand above grade-level.

Detecting soil voids below a garage slab is quite possible using this "ghost busters" technique: drag aheavy chain across the floor and listen to the sound it produces. If the chain moves across an area ofsoil void you'll hear a change in pitch in its sound, typically dropping lower. This is not a technique forevery building inspection but it is useful when evaluating garage floor slab movement, tipping, cracking,or foundation cracks.

Where are Horizontal Foundation Cracks Visible?

Horizontal foundation cracks are usually visible only from inside a basement or crawl area unless building isall masonry.

Lateral or horizontal movement of a masonry foundation wall inwards from earth pressure will often be seen atthe first mortar joint above a basement or crawl space slab. Remember that the slab itself may be holding thevery first course of masonry blocks or brick in place. This is a useful detail to keep in mind if you are using aplumb line and measuring tape to document the total amount and location of wall movement. The bottomcourse of concrete blocks or bricks, held in place by the floor slab, can usually be taken as a baseline of zeromovement, from which other measurements to the plumb line are compared over the height of the wall.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this

website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT - Distinguishing

Among Shrinkage, Expansion, and Settlement Cracks



General Comments about foundation expansion or shrinkage

Cracks will occur in masonry structures: Most solid materials may both expand and contract in response

to temperature variations. Solid materials may be cracked by pressure from loading. In masonry foundations,bricks actually expand indefinitely, though probably at a decreasing rate. Poured concrete shrinks afterpouring. Masonry blocks may shrink and expand. All of these materials respond to changes in moisture andtemperature. A long brick wall exposed to sunlight and cold weather and built without expansion joints willcrack and fail. Concrete block walls shrink but don't normally expand (below grade). Poured concrete shrinksduring curing but may also expand or contract in response to moisture.

Determining when action is needed: All cracks need to be separated into those which are expected to

require no further repair except possibly cosmetic (which can help future monitoring), those which meritongoing monitoring for change and possibly signs of worsening conditions, and those which are sosignificant as to require repair.

Setting priority of action: Repair work needs to be identified with respect to urgency, ranging fromimmediate (risk of collapse or other unsafe conditions) and less urgent.

To the extent that the inspector can see the extent of movement and the potential for damage to a building,and to the extent that the inspector can make a reasonably confident guess about the cause of foundationdamage or movement, s/he can estimate the chances of its continuance and thus help set a priority for furtherevaluation or repair, as well as setting the specifics of outside repairs to reduce further damage such askeeping water or vehicles away from the building.

Evidence of Foundation Shrinkage

A variety of site conditions can lead to cracks in a concreteor other masonry foundation walls or floor slabs. Speakinggenerally, foundations may be damaged and cracks mayappear from innocent causes unlikely to affect the structuresuch as concrete shrinkage cracks, initial settlement, orfrom potentially more serious causes such as ongoingsettlement, unusual pressures or loading, or from improperconstruction.

Identification of Shrinkage Cracks in PouredConcrete Foundations or Slabs

Shrinkage cracks in poured concrete are easilyrecognizable and can be distinguished from other types of cracks that occur later in the life of a foundationwall or floor slab.

Concrete shrinks as a natural process during its curing. You can see the shrinkage of even a perfect

concrete floor slab with no visible cracks in its surface if it was poured inside of an existing foundation. Noticethe gap between the edges of the slab and the foundation wall? Notice the stains or concrete debris on thewall at the slab level? These indicate that at the time the slab was poured it was touching the wall. A pouredconcrete wall shrinks as well.

Concrete curing is a chemical reaction, not just "drying" or loss of water. But depending on the concrete mix,amount of water, portland, aggregate type, temperatures, humidity, groundwater, sun exposure, groundwater,and other conditions, the amount of shrinkage that will occur in concrete as it cures varies.

In any case, this concrete shrinkage process causes the concrete to develop internal stresses. To relievethose stresses, unless control joints were included in the wall or floor slab design, the wall or floor is likely tocrack in a classic "concrete shrinkage pattern" as the concrete cures.

Cracks in a poured concrete foundation which are diagonal or vertical and which are generally uniform in

width, or which taper to an irregular hairline form and stop entirely, which are usually discontinuous in thecrack's finest or hairline area (the crack "stops and starts" in the same area), are usually shrinkage cracksand should not be ongoing nor of structural significance, though they may invite water entry through the wall.[See our article on Using Polyurethane Foam for Foundation Repairs]

Shrinkage cracks in concrete range in length from a few inches to the entire height of the concrete wall,extending from wall top to bottom. Concrete shrinkage cracks virtually always extend through the full

thickness of the foundation wall, which means they can provide a ready path for water entry into the building.

Common areas for a shrinkage concrete crack to develop are under a basement window, above a doorwayin the middle of a long wall or where the foundation "steps down." Shrinkage cracks also often occur near themiddle of a large poured concrete wall [or floor] if no control joints were used. [Concrete control joints are veryoften omitted in residential construction. Shrinkage cracks and how to recognize and diagnose them arediscussed further at SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT.

Suggestions for Repairing Foundation Shrinkage Cracks

Before repairing a foundation crack by sealing it against water entry, it is important to diagnose the cause ofthe crack and its effects on the building structure.

When it has been determined that there is an underlying ongoing problem such as one leading to foundation



When it has been determined that there is an underlying ongoing problem such as one leading to foundationmovement or damage to the structure, the underlying problem should be corrected as part of any foundationor slab repair.

Cracks in poured concrete walls that are larger than 1/4", cracks which are increasing in size, or cracks

which are otherwise indicative of foundation movement should be evaluated by a professional. The diagnosisand evaluation of foundation cracks and structural foundation damage and repair methods are discussed atFOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS

What to do about shrinkage cracks in foundations

Once any concrete cracks it is possible for water to leak into the building through the crack. There are severalways to repair a basement crack leak. An easy, quick, and effective measure to stop basement or crawlspace water entry through a foundation crack is to perform an injection of polyurethane foam into thebasement crack. [Also be sure to find and fix the sources of water outside.]

Water entry leaks at foundation cracks: Polyurethane foam sealant is used for foundation crack repairs to

stop water entry. (Also find and correct outside water sources). See our article on Using Polyurethane Foamfor Foundation Repairs.

Structural repairs as well as sealing against water entry may be attempted for cracked foundations using

masonry epoxy products. These products may be used for repairing cracks in concrete foundations, possiblyincluding structural repairs, following evaluation and advice from a foundation professional. An evaluation ofthe presence, absence, or condition of reinforcing steel in cracked concrete foundations should be a part ofthe inspection.

See our discussion of foundation repair methods at FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS

Distinguishing of Other Types of Concrete Wall or Slab Cracks from ShrinkageCracks

Settlement Cracks in Masonry Foundations and

Concrete Floors

Non-shrinkage cracks in concrete: The photograph

shows a settlement crack in a garage floor concrete slab.This particular crack, occurring near the garage entry, mayhave been caused by frost since this is a New York home.(It's colder at the garage doors than further inside thebuilding and there may be more water under the slab closeto the building perimeter.) But a very common cause ofsettlement cracks in slabs (and some walls) is poor sitepreparation, such as pouring the slab (or footings) on softfill.

As an example of a concrete crack that occurred later in the life of a structure (thus is not due to initial curingshrinkage) and to understand why such a non-shrinkage crack would look different from a shrinkage crack,imagine Superman breaking a piece of cured, hard, dry, solid concrete slab by bending it. The crack thatwould appear in cured concrete would not be intermittent along its length, it would be continuous even if it isnot a straight line. Depending on the cause of such a later-in-life concrete crack, it might also be wider at thetop than at the bottom (foundation footing settlement) or there might be horizontal dislocation (one side of thecrack sticks into the building further than the other, or one side of the floor slab crack sticks up more than theother).

Settlement around a Lally column pier may have

produced the cracks visible in the slab around the Lallycolumn in this photograph. A hypothesis is that the pierbelow the column was functioning properly but the slab waspoured on loose fill around the rest of the basement floor.The slab settled away from the pier but where the piersupported a portion of the slab that was poured over it, thepier prevented settlement of that area. Observing that thehigh-side of these cracks was the side closer to the Lallycolumn supports this view.

Evidence of Foundation or Masonry Wall Expansion

Brick, in particular, whether used in a foundation or as a building wall, expands over time and as moisture,temperature, and other conditions vary. Dave Wickersheimer, P.E. and R.A., who is a masonry failuresexpert from the SHC, informs us that brick "grows" or expands indefinitely. However if we exclude heatingeffects of sun exposure (discussed below), most brick expansion from its internal chemistry probably occursearly in its life.

Thermal expansion of brick: Brick walls exposed above-grade are subject to significant heating gainsfrom sunlight and may expand and contract sufficient to cause major damage if proper control joints are not



Search

name

from sunlight and may expand and contract sufficient to cause major damage if proper control joints are notused during construction. If you observe long expanses of brick masonry walls above grade and withoutexpansion joints, look for expansion cracking. When caused by thermal expansion, brick walls may showmost movement at the two ends of the wall most-exposed to sunlight. The author, using a simple plumb lineand measuring tape, has measured as much as 4" of expansion found at the top of a brick structure whosewall corners leaned out 4" over the wall bottom from this force. [Note: POK JCC file-DJF].

Brick walls below-grade are of course not exposed to heating and expansion from sunlight, but instead areexposed to earth pressure (look for horizontal cracking), and in freezing climates frost damage (look forhorizontal cracks in walls at or near the frost line, and look for stair-stepped cracks at corners of the building.

Brick cracking due to thermal expansion is discussed and illustrated in detail at Thermal ExpansionCracking of Brick

Foundation Settlement: crack patterns, other evidence

A settlement crack is more likely to be wider at top than its bottom as the foundation "bends" over a singlepoint, allowing differential settlement; it is possible for a settlement crack to appear fairly uniform however if afoundation breaks vertically and then pursues differential settlement. Settlement cracks need to be separatedinto initial settlement due to construction or site factors and ongoing settlement due to site factors.

Usually wider at top, usually continuous, may be multiple!

Imaginary line, right angle to diagonal crack, usually = direction of downwards movement; may indicateupwards wall-lift - see if settlement

cracks at opposite end of wall (e.g. in FL)

Multiple cracks of either type may occur in a given area. Usually visible both outside and inside ifmaterial is exposed.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about the cause and repair of all types of building foundation and floor slab cracks.

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Comments

enter your comment here

comment

(Mar 4, 2012) rachel said:

tthis is the floor / path that surrounding my house

(Mar 4, 2012) Rachel said:

can anyone advise please ? the concrete that's surrounding my house has got quite a few cracks in it each about a metre in length should i be worried ? please help as idon't have a clue about this sort of thing thanks rachel

(Jan 26, 2012) Clint Ford said:

We are in the middle of a remodel and tore up all the old flooring. Upon doing do we found several cracksthat go through out the floor. They all seem like hair line cracks and are 1/16 or less in width. I also put alevel over all the cracks and it seems like there is slight uneveness on some of the cracks. I've also found asmall horizontal crack on the outside slab and I was wondering if there was any concern to this.

(Dec 5, 2011) Al Widmer, Widmer Associates/Arc said:

I inspected the block basement foundation walls of a 80-90 year old house with several vertical cracks.The most severe one needing a recommendation: Approximately 1/2" wide, generally same width top tobottom, thru joints and blocks at both faces of wall, minimal vertical separation, and located 6' from corner.A small vertical crack in the perpendicular wall about 6' from corner has a 1/8" horizontal offset.Recommendation?



(Nov 7, 2011) Steve Moore said:

During the process of removing and installing a concrete garage floor, several garage foundation blockson one side of our garage have shifted out about an inch or less. The contractor said this is mostlycosmetic, the garage foundation structure is still secure. Should I be concerned, or seek an anotheropinion? Thank you.

(Oct 13, 2011) DanJoeFriedman (mod) said:

Cynthia, sorry to read about the concrete installation failure. And indeed often the mix is the trouble. At this point, if it is cost justified, you'd need to hire an engineer who has expertise in concrete testing ifyou need to document and prove the cause of failure.

(Oct 10, 2011) cynthia morris said:

Hi, my husband has been concreting for 20 years and has just poured perimeter paths around a newhome. It was a windy day and the entire job has cracked all over. The concrete company will not takeresponsibility. We believe the mix was incorrect. All of the men that were on the job that day commentedthat you could not close over the stone as it did not have enough fat or slurry. they said they had added achemical to delay drying because of the weather. ..what advice do you have and where do we go fromhere? Thank you.

Recommend / Share this Article ShareThis

Print

...

Technical Reviewers & References

InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase.Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well asother references, and information sources.Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this

website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are dueto the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles atInspectAPedia.com.Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this

website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTSFOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPESFOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERSFOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINSFOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?

CRAWL SPACES EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION CRACK MONITORING Methods DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT Sinkholes & Building Damage Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS

Ads by Google Concrete Foundation Foundation Cracks Foundation Repair Concrete Repair



PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION SLAB CRACK REPAIR

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES CONCRETE FOUNDATION, WALL, SLAB DEFECTS CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT Bulge & step cracks Earthquake Damage to Foundations Flood Damage to Foundations Foundation Movement During Collapse Other Foundation Step cracks HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS Bulging, Leaning & Sliding Wall Horizontal Foundation Creep Horizontal Movement & step cracks in brick Impact Damage to Foundations Thermal Expansion Cracking in Brick

SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks Leaning or Tipping Buildings Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODSFOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONSFOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS Bulged foundation Repairs Crack Repair Methods FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods Horizontal Movement Repairs Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To Shrinkage Crack Repairs SLAB CRACK REPAIR Vertical Foundation Movement RepairsFOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNSSINKING BUILDINGS

SLAB CRACK EVALUATION Control Joint Cracks in Concrete Freezing & Water Damage Frost Heave/Expansive Soil Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks in Slabs Settlement Cracks vs. Frost Heaves Settlement Cracks vs. Shrinkage Cracks Shrinkage Cracks in Slabs Shrinkage Cracks Along Foundation Walls

SLAB CRACK REPAIR Control Joint Cracks in Concrete Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To Standards for Repair of Cracks in Floors

Sal Alfano - Editor, Journal of Light Construction*Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and some of thefoundation inspection photographs cited in these articlesTerry Carson - ASHIMark Cramer - ASHIJD Grewell, ASHIDuncan Hannay - ASHI, P.E. *Bob Klewitz, M.S.C.E., P.E. - ASHIKen Kruger, P.E., AIA - ASHIBob Peterson, Magnum Piering - 800-771-7437 - FL*



Arlene Puentes, ASHI, October Home Inspections - (845) 216-7833 - Kingston NYGreg Robi, Magnum Piering - 800-822-7437 - National*Dave Rathbun, P.E. - Geotech Engineering - 904-622-2424 FL*Ed Seaquist, P.E., SIE Assoc. - 301-269-1450 - NationalDave Wickersheimer, P.E. R.A. - IL, professor, school of structures division, UIUC - University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture. Professor Wickersheimer specializes in structural failureinvestigation and repair for wood and masonry construction. * Mr. Wickersheimer's engineeringconsulting service can be contacted at HDC Wickersheimer Engineering Services. (3/2010)*These reviewers have not returned comment 6/95

Technical Edits, Changes, Amendments to This Document

9/23/2006 editing to clarify text and add content; Technical review (partial) by Arlene Puentes.4/17/2006 editing to clarify text in several sections.2/6/99 editing updates, soliciting additional reviews2/3/99 Converted working text file to MSWord97 .doc and .htm files for easier review on Internet6/26/95 text updates per comments from Al Carson, Terry Carson, Mark Cramer 6/16/95 text updatesfor Calgary July 1995cc's sent to reviewers3/28/95 uploaded to ASHI's Internet site - asfoun01.txt11/19/93 Ed Seaquist - telecon 11/19/93, likes, will write up one of our sections for my/our target ofseries of journal articles or a book.© Dan Friedman 1999, original 1992 All Rights Reserved -- foundation.htm

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection,Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis,and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at theInspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop &Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlopand from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home ReferenceBook is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist homeinspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems onbuildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners

operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editorDaniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are includedat the back of the volume.

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10:0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com andalso Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), TheJournal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-

3, available from Amazon.com

The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com forcertain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of LightConstruction and may not be reproduced in any form.Appliances and Home Electronics, - energy savings, U.S. Department of EnergyAvongard foundation crack progress chart for structural crack monitoringBasement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of EnergyBuilding Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq.,ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724ISBN-13: 978-0471331728Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008)ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts RinehartConstruction Drawings and Details, Rosemary KilmerCrawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of EnergyDiagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print butused copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection toolsuppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferencesorganized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic ofinspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock,McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:

This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examplesespecially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design

questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate

those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO

INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003



INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003

International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction.

Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains

the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revisedand updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design

Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood

Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN0-419-14270-3Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.comDefects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of MaterialFailure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors indiagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this

edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sickbuilding syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement

Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-

408-50000 X

"Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highlyrecommend this article-DF)

"A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995"Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994"Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article

in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below."When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998Energy Recover Ventilation Systems for Buildings, U.S. Department of EnergyEnergy Savings Methods: Whole House Systems Approach, U.S. Department of EnergyHistoric Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10:0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362Log Homes: Minimizing Air Leakage in Log Homes, U.S. Department of EnergyLog Homes: Controlling Moisture in Log Homes, U.S. Department of EnergyLog Homes: Log Home Design, U.S. Department of EnergyMoisture Control in Buildings, U.S. Department of EnergyMoisture Control in Walls, U.S. Department of EnergyQuality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home BuildersRemodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler, N.U. Ahmed, # Home Builder Pr (February 1991),ISBN-10: 0867183594, ISBN-13: 978-0867183597Natural Ventilation for Buildings, U.S. Department of EnergyR-Value of Wood, U.S. Department of EnergySpot Ventilation for houses, U.S. Department of EnergySlab on Grade Foundation Moisture and Air Leakage, U.S. Department of EnergyStraw Bale Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy provides information on strawbale homeconstruction - original source athttp://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10350More Straw Bale Building: A Complete Guide to Designing and Building with Straw (Mother EarthNews Wiser Living Series), Chris Magwood, Peter Mack, New Society Publishers (February 1, 2005),ISBN-10: 0865715181 ISBN-13: 978-0865715189 - Quoting: Straw bale houses are easy to build, affordable, super energy efficient, environmentally friendly,

attractive, and can be designed to match the builder’s personal space needs, esthetics and budget.Despite mushrooming interest in the technique, however, most straw bale books focus on “selling”

the dream of straw bale building, but don’t adequately address the most critical issues faced by balehouse builders. Moreover, since many developments in this field are recent, few books are

completely up to date with the latest techniques. More Straw Bale Building is designed to fill this gap. A completely rewritten edition of the 20,000-copy best--selling original, it leads the potential builder through the entire process of building a bale

structure, tackling all the practical issues: finding and choosing bales; developing sound buildingplans; roofing; electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; building code compliance; and special

concerns for builders in northern climates."Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders", U.S. DOE: how vapor barriers work, types of vapordiffusion barriers, installing vapor barrierVentilation for energy efficient buildings, Purpose, Strategies, etc.,

Home About Us Accuracy Contact Us Content Use Policy Privacy Website Description © 2012 Copyright InspectAPedia.com

repair foundation cracks

Documents