Reasons for collapsing of foundation

There are several reasons for collapsing of foundation which range from poor soil condition, structural faults etc. Given below, some of the major causes for collapsing of foundation :-

1. Collapsing of Foundation because of surpassing the bearing strength of soil
2. Collapsing of Foundation because of withdrawn of moisture from Soil all of a sudden
3. Collapsing of Foundation because of differential or unequal settlement
4. Collapsing of Foundation because of uneven progress and pattern of construction
5. Collapsing of Foundation because of movement of adjacent soil.

Collapsing of Foundation because of surpassing the bearing strength of soil:-

Ultimate bearing strength means ultimate load intensity that a soil can bear devoid of any shear failure of the Soil. The size of the footing with regard to length, breadth and diameter, is primarily based on the bearing strength.

A foundation/ footing of a structure must contain adequate size in order that the intensity of load directing via that footing from the structure to the soil below should not raise the bearing strength of that soil. If the bearing strength of soil is low or load operating is heavy and the size of the footing is relatively small than actual requirement then the load intensity (i.e. load per unit area say KN/sq.m. etc.) conveyed on the soil may be greater as compared to the bearing strength of the soil, for this reason a shear failure of soil will occur.

To provide perfect footing size, the safe bearing strength rather than ultimate bearing strength should be applied to obtain margin of safety against any accidental loading as well as abnormal behavior of the soil due divergence in its bearing strength. Safe bearing strength is nothing but ultimate bearing strength divided by a appropriate factor of safety usually varying from 2 to 4.

Collapsing of Foundation because of withdrawn of moisture from Soil all of a sudden :

It is one of the most crucial factors that should not be neglected. Moisture withdrawn occurs in the following ways :-

a) By draining water from the adjacent well through pump
b) By dewatering adjacent Pond
c) Reduction of ground water table close to the ground previously.

Since the soil usually comprises of soil solid, water and air and super structural load on soil is carried by the both soil solid and pore water, as soon as the pore water is withdrawn, it will produce voids inside the soil system around and at the bottom of the foundation soil that leads to subsidence of the soil together with supporting structure. As a result, the collapsing of foundation happens.

To get more details about other reasons for failure, go through the following link www.mycivil.engineer



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Details of Cracking in Concrete

If cracks occur in concrete on regular basis, the appearance of the concrete becomes unpleasant as well as the structure of the concrete becomes feeble.

The cracking can be managed with reinforcement and joints. With foul cracking, the reinforcement is uncovered to air and moisture which may cause rust as well as reduce the strength.

Types of Cracks: Two types of cracks occur in reinforced concrete

Pre-Setting Cracks: It develops prior to solidification of concrete whereas it is still executable.

Hardened Cracking: Here, crack develops as soon as the concrete gets solidified.

Pre-Setting Cracks: Pre-setting cracks mainly develop at the time of placing, compaction and finishing resulting from movement of concrete prior to it gets dried.

The following types of pre-setting cracks mainly exist:

Plastic Settlement cracks
Plastic Shrinkage cracks
Cracks resulting from Movement of The Formwork.

When pre-setting cracks occur, examine them carefully so that they can be easily restrained whereas the concrete is still setting.

If these are identified at the initial stage, fixing is done easily with re-compacting, re-trowelling or re-floating the concrete surface.

Plastic Settlement Cracks: These types of cracks develop once the concrete is arranged, whereas it is still plastic. They become larger as concrete dries and shrinks and like to follow the lines of reinforcement.

Prevention
Re-vibrate the concrete.
Re-trowel the surface.

Search for cracks when the concrete is setting. At this stage, these can be easily settled.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracks: Usually cracking occurs in summer but it may also happen throughout winter. Plastic shrinkage cracks become visible in lines, roughly parallel or in a crazed haphazard way. They are generally 300–600 mm long but may be among 25 mm and 2 m in length.

Prevention: Moisten the subgrade and forms and safeguard concrete from the wind. Retain all materials cool on hot days.

Set, compact and cure in quickest possible time on hot days in order that concrete won’t dry out.

As soon as the concrete is condensed, screeded and floated, use a consistent spray film of EVAPORATIVE RETARDANT (Aliphatic Alcohol) to avoid quick loss of surface moisture, then continue with finishing.

It is recommended to set concrete at the cooler times of the day.

Repair Cracks is closed with alteration in the plastic concrete.

For more information, go through the following link onlinecivilforum.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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