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Concrete block foundation wall with thick CONCRETE repair lamination © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comHow to Identify Building Foundation Construction Methods, Materials, Type, Sequence

Foundation types:

This article explains how to identify types of foundation construction, methods, materials as an aid to diagnosing foundation damage. Understanding what foundation materials were used, how a foundation was constructed, and the sequence of construction steps are key elements in accurate diagnosis of foundation cracks, bowing, collapse or other problems as well as in planning for foundation repair.

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 bowing building foundation walls.

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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Foundation Construction Materials & Methods: How to Identify Foundation Construction Type, Materials, Sequence

Damage to foundation during construction © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

The photo above shows a concrete block foundation wall which had been damaged by water and frost, exacerbated by construction very close to bedrock which sloped to the foundation wall from the surface, trapping roof runoff against the building.

A thick concrete laminate wall has been added inside to stabilize the wall (but no proper steps had been taken outdoors to redirect water away.)

At this website we explain how it is sometimes possible to be confident about the cause of foundation damage which in turn helps assess the risk presented to the building.

Photographs of types of foundation cracks and other foundation damage: we have a large library of photographs which continually add to this website. Pending completion of that work, contact the author if assistance is required.

Foundation Construction Types

Schematic of a supported slab on grade (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesThe type of foundation construction affects how a foundation may be damaged, cracked, settled, or moved.

Photos of slab on grade foundations and floor slabs are included in the following article series:

Monolithic slab on grade construction diagram (C) Carson Dunlop Associates
Floating slab on grade schematic (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

Also see  Three Types of Poured Concrete Slab Floors - Different Implications of Cracks & Movement found at CONCRETE SLAB CRACK EVALUATION.

Foundation Construction Materials

The type of foundation materials (listed below) affects how a foundation may be damaged, cracked, settled, or moved and significantly, the foundation material must be considered in understanding pattern, location, size, and significance of cracks or other signs of foundation movement. The same crack location size may have different significance in different foundation materials.

Poured concrete foundation © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Our photo at left shows a poured concrete foundation wall.

 

Watch out:  As we introduce at our home page for this topic,

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE, since certain masonry structure defects, such as

even slightly-bulged structural brick masonry walls (above or below ground level - BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS

or severely bulged below-ground masonry block or stone foundations, BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS

can lead to sudden precipitous and catastrophic building collapse, dangerous conditions may be present at some properties.

Foundation Construction Sequence Considerations

Foundation collapse, after reconstruction (C) Daniel FriedmanOur photo at left shows a reconstructed concrete block foundation after a collapse.

The original construction included in-slope grade at the rear of this building, combined with poorly-drained soils and runoff which was trapped against the building.

The concrete block foundation collapse at this building occurred more than twenty years after construction and might have been avoided by proper handling of roof runoff, the immediate failure cause, but the site shape and failure to provide proper surface and subsurface drainage were important factors in this foundation failure too.

See SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS.

Below we list site factors to be considered when evaluating foundation damage of this type. See FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS for details.

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-02-03 by (mod) -

It looks as if the slab was un-reinforced in original construction and that fill may have been settled, lost, or not-compacted, so that jackhammering the concrete may have caused further cracks. I'd expect the slab to be better supported from beneath, maybe pushing fill or gravel there (slab-jacking or pumping grout is probably inappropriate for such a small area), and before covering the floor with tile the cracks need to be repaired, perhaps using a mesh tape and epoxy to prevent the crack from telegraphing up through the finished flooring.

Some options are at

SEAL CRACKS in CONCRETE, HOW TO

and at

TILE ISOLATION MEMBRANES

On 2019-02-03 by Emily Martinelli

And another pic. I cannot tell if the crack goes underneath the carpeting out of the bathroom into the hallway... please help

MAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

Here is another picture

MAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

We are getting a new shower put in and the drain didn’t match up. The construction crew used hammers on the concrete slab foundation to make the shower drain fit. Subsequently there are now two cracks that will be underneath the shower floor. I do not want to be taken advantage of. Please advise on the steps they should be taking to fix their mistake.

MAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-03-10 by (mod) -

Marie I am not a robot but I am considered an android by many.

On 2018-03-10 by Marie

No apologies necessary. Just checking to see if you are a Robot! A picture would have helped, but the question arose as we were driving home. Thanks.

On 2018-03-09 by (mod) -

Marie

Is the wall masonry? Paneling?
Are we looking at the surface of the foundation wall?

Perhaps you can use the picture frame icon next to the Comment button to show me some photos of the basement walls you describe. Without more information any guess I would make would be baseless.

We try to answer all questions promptly but with tens of thousands of readers, sometimes we can get a bit over-loaded. I hope you understand and forgive.

On 2018-03-09 by Marie

We looked at a 1978 built ranch whose basement had poured stamped white walls with a smooth texture, except for the pattern and couldn't identify what materials they used. Any ideas what the composition of the walls was?

On 2016-06-27 by (mod) -

Sorry Temes, I don't quite understand the question

On 2016-06-27 by temesgen folla

How to constraction plan read

On 2015-07-13 by rupali

it give more information as well as guide to engineering student

On 2013-04-07 - by (mod) -

Gloria,

If using the Search Box at Inspectapedia you don't find information you need just post a specific question using the comments/question box above, or send us email using the CONTACT US link found at page top or page bottom and we'll be glad to assist further.

On 2013-04-07 by Gloria LAGOS

I can't get wat a, looking 4

On 2013-03-08 - by (mod) -

Mr. Abuja

This article describes types of foundations, it does not recommend a specific foundation design nor type. Certainly the choice of which type of foundation is most suitable for tropical Africa depends on
- soil conditions
- building load and design requirements
- locally available materials vs. costs

If you have more specifics we would be glad to research the question further.


On 2013-01-05 by Ben Laah, Abuja, Nigeria

Can this type of foundation be applied in tropical Africa? Thanks

On 2012-06-28 - by (mod) -

Josh, thanks for the comment. I haven't seen expansion joints in brick as close on center as you cite, though of course they may appear in some areas. I'm unclear how a pilaster - a reinforcing structure against a wall - functions to avoid thermal expansion cracking in brick - are you saying the expansion joint is hidden behind a pilaster?

In any event thanks for mixing in.

On 2012-06-27 by Josh

Usually expansion joints are placed every 4, 8, or 12 ft. It depends on the type of mortar and masonry brick you will be using. I prefer concrete masonry units as they require little to no expansion joints. You may consider using pilasters instead of joints as pilasters often look and function better. Get the CBR ratio or PI index of the soil. This will help you determine foundation thickness and from thickness you can determine the type of reinforcement. You may need a subbase underneath the foundation if the soil is terrible but maybe a lime treatment will help. I would use a "continuous footing" foundation if I were just going to build a masonry wall. Good luck!

On 2012-02-23 by bob

am considering building a 225mm (OR 112mm) brick wall and would like some professional opinion on the construction of the foundations. The ground to be built on is firm and the length of wall is in the region of 80 metres long. expansion joints are obviously to be considered - but at what distance apart?

On 2011-06-30 by Bidyat

Building construction determines the soil type.


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