|
1.
What is the difference between a structural and foundation engineer?
A
foundation engineer is a structural engineer trained in the art of
selecting, designing, and providing oversight to the construction of the
elements that transfer the weight of a structure to the underlying soil
or rock. The role of the foundation engineer is to select the type
of foundation, the design of the substructure, and the supervision of
construction. (Peck,
Ralph B., Walter E. Hanson, and Thomas H. Thornburn. 1953.
Foundation Engineering. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)
2.
What is an engineering stamp?
Typically,
prior to constructing a new structure or repairing an existing one,
local governments will require a stamp from an engineer licensed in
their respective state.
To
obtain an engineering stamp, an engineer must obtain a Bachelors of
Science in Engineering from an accredited university. They must
complete and pass and eight-hour examination on the Fundamentals of
Engineering. Then, the
engineer is required to work as an "Engineer-In-Training" for
a minimum of four years. As an EIT, the new engineer receives on-the-job
training. Once the engineer has significant training, they will
take another eight-hour examination on Professional Engineering for
their particular state. Upon successful completion of the test,
the engineer is able to stamp plans.
3.
Do engineers have a Code of Ethics?
Yes.
Engineers do have to follow a Code of Ethics. The following excerpt is
taken from the American Society of Civil Engineers' website: http://www.asce.org/inside/codeofethics.cfm.
Fundamental
Principles
Engineers
uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering
profession by:
1.
Using
their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the
environment;
2.
Being
honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their
employers and clients;
3.
Striving
to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession;
and
4.
Supporting
the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
Fundamental
Canons
1.
Engineers
shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and
shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in
the performance of their professional duties.
2.
Engineers
shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3.
Engineers
shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4.
Engineers
shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as
faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5.
Engineers
shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services
and shall not compete unfairly with others.
6.
Engineers
shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession.
7.
Engineers
shall continue their professional development throughout their careers,
and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of
those engineers under their supervision.
4.
When should you contact a foundation engineer prior to building?
A
homeowner or homebuilder should contact a foundation engineer
immediately after selecting a site, performing a soils investigation,
and completing architectural plans.
If desired, a foundation engineer can help you plan the required
soils investigation. It
takes approximately 3 – 4 weeks to complete a foundation plan.
In most municipalities, the foundation plan must be completed
before filing for a building or construction permit.
5.
How much can I expect to spend for an engineered foundation?
You
can expect to pay less than 1% of the construction value of the home for
an engineered foundation plan.
6.
What are expansive soils?
There
are three basic types of soil: sand, silt and clay.
Clay soils are generally classified as "expansive." This means
clay will tend to expand (increase in volume) as it absorbs water and it
will shrink (lessen in volume) as water is drawn away. Clays are
naturally occurring materials found in low-lying regions and flood
plains. (Living
With Expansive Soils A Guide to Expansive Soil and a Few Suggestions on
How to Minimize its Effects. City of Torrance, Department of Building
and Safety: January 1991).
There
are many claystone bedrock formations that are expansive in Colorado as
well.
7.
What damage can occur to foundations from expansive soils?
When
expansive soils supporting a foundation are allowed to become moist,
cracks may appear, windows and doors may stick and floors may slope as
the foundation becomes progressively more out of level.
When
expansive soil becomes very wet, the concentrated weight of the
foundation and structure will inhibit the soil's upward expansion, but
outward expansion can occur. As the soil dries and shrinks, the
footings will not be returned to their original position. Instead, they
can move to a slightly lower level. This process can accumulate if the
wetting and drying is allowed to continue season after season, year
after year.
8.
What can I do to minimize the effects of expansive soils?
If
a homeowner discovers their home is constructed over expansive soils,
they can minimize cracking and possibly prevent major damage by
controlling the moisture levels around their foundation. Here are
some suggestions that might help (Adapted
from Living With Expansive Soils A Guide to Expansive Soil and a Few
Suggestions on How to Minimize its Effects. City of Torrance, Department
of Building and Safety: January 1991):
1.
Roof
Drainage
- Install rain gutters with downspouts well away from the foundation
backfall via non-erodible surfaces.
2.
Planter
and Yard Drainage
- All areas should drain properly. Even puddles are potential problems.
3.
Concrete
and Asphalt Areas
- These also should drain to the street. Where possible, concrete and
asphalt should flow to a yard or planter area.
4.
Subsurface
Drainage
- Install drains if necessary to eliminate ponding. Maintain all lines
clean and free-flowing. Drain lines should discharge in accordance with
local drainage plans.
5.
Repair
Plumbing Leaks
- Monitor consumption. An unexplained increase in your water bill could
indicate a leak. Repair immediately.
6.
Landscaping
- Plan carefully. Trees, small ones, can draw huge amounts of water from
nearby soils. They should not be planted close to structures.
Homeowners
are strongly encouraged to contact a foundation engineer for additional
recommendations, preventatives measures, and designs for repair.
9.
If the foundation cracks, what can a homeowner expect to pay to
repair it?
“Selected
annual U.S. losses from expansive soils were $798.1 million in 1970 and
are expected to rise to $997.1 million by year 2000. (Wiggins et al.,
1978 and Petak et al., 1978 as cited in Nelson, John D. and Debora J.
Miller. 1992. Expansive Soils: Problems in Practice in Foundation and
Pavement Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York, NY.)
When
problems with the structural integrity of a foundation are discovered
they can be as small as cracked plaster to as large as foundation
cracks. While these problems may not cause the house to collapse, they
may cost the homeowner anywhere from $500.00 to $50,000.00 dollars to
repair.
10.
What can be done to repair expansive soil damage?
The
homeowner should take preventative measures immediately upon discovery
of expansive soil damage to their foundation. A professional
Foundation Engineer should make a site visit to diagnose the
foundation's failure. After analyzing your particular situation, the
engineer can design an engineered repair plan for your property.
|
