Structural Defects Reference Manual for

The Structural Defects Reference Manual for Low-Rise Buildingshas been written to assist professionals and students involved in building construction to identify causes of structural failure. Each chapter carefully addresses design, materials and workmanship factors which contribute to structural defects. The main structural elements - roofs, walls, floors and foundations - are all covered and illustrated by case studies. The book also contains relevant data and guidance to show how all the different building elements should be designed and constructed.

Michael F. Atkinson has been Engineering Manager for the National House Building Council (North) since 1984.

Preface

vii

Background

1

(16)

Introduction

1

(2)

Objectives

3

(1)

Household insurance and warranty insurance claims

4

(13)

Establishing a structural defects claim

4

(1)

Ground floors

4

(1)

Handling insurance claims for structural damage

5

(1)

Procedure

5

(1)

Buildings covered by insurance warranties

5

(10)

Points to remember

15

(1)

References

15

(2)

Surveys

17

(10)

Introduction

17

(1)

The survey report

17

(1)

Survey equipment

18

(2)

Note-taking

18

(1)

Measuring equipment

18

(1)

Probing equipment

18

(1)

Access equipment

19

(1)

Additional items

19

(1)

Desk study

20

(1)

The site

20

(1)

Desk study checklist

20

(1)

Geological maps and memoirs

20

(2)

Superficial formations (drift)

21

(1)

Solid formations

21

(1)

Ordnance Survey maps

21

(1)

Site reconnaissance

22

(5)

Points to remember

24

(1)

Useful addresses for desk study information

24

(1)

References

25

(2)

Site investigation equipment and methods

27

(12)

Introduction

27

(1)

Initial investigation

27

(1)

Trial pits

27

(3)

Boreholes

30

(1)

In-situ testing

31

(2)

Standard penetration test (SPT)

31

(1)

Shear vane tests

31

(1)

Undrained triaxial test

31

(1)

Atterberg limit tests

32

(1)

Chemical tests

33

(1)

Plumb and level survey

33

(2)

Long-term monitoring

35

(4)

Points to remember

37

(1)

References

37

(2)

Structural reports

39

(30)

Introduction

39

(1)

Report format

39

(1)

Survey report example

40

(29)

Points to remember

68

(1)

References

68

(1)

Roofs

69

(28)

Introduction

69

(1)

Trussed rafter construction

69

(1)

Inadequate design and construction

69

(6)

Design loadings

70

(1)

Remediation of inadequately designed roofs

71

(3)

Specification for proprietary timber roof trusses

74

(1)

Poor-quality timber and faults in fabrication

75

(1)

Defects due to bad workmanship on site

76

(5)

Traditional cut roofs

81

(16)

Ceiling ties

81

(2)

Hipped roofs

83

(12)

Points to remember

95

(1)

References

95

(2)

Upper floors

97

(32)

Introduction

97

(1)

Timber floors

97

(17)

Inadequate design and specification

97

(13)

Timber quality

110

(3)

Bad workmanship

113

(1)

Precast concrete floors

114

(6)

Beam and block floor

117

(2)

Hollow-core wide slab precast units

119

(1)

Prestressed plank composite floors

119

(1)

Specification for proprietary precast concrete floors

119

(1)

In-situ suspended concrete floors

120

(9)

Design factors

121

(1)

Materials

122

(2)

Workmanship on site

124

(3)

Points to remember

127

(1)

References

127

(2)

Ground floors

129

(20)

Introduction

129

(1)

Timber joist floors on sleeper walls

129

(4)

Design defects that can result

129

(1)

Materials defects that can result

129

(1)

Workmanship defects that can result

129

(4)

In-situ concrete ground-bearing slabs

133

(8)

Design defects that can result

133

(1)

Materials defects that can result

133

(1)

Workmanship defects that can result

133

(1)

Sub-base fills

133

(1)

Compaction of fills

134

(1)

Depth of fills

134

(1)

Chemical stability of fills

135

(2)

Expansion of fills

137

(4)

Fully suspended in-situ reinforced concrete floors

141

(6)

Precast beam and block floors

147

(2)

Points to remember

148

(1)

References

148

(1)

Main walls

149

(30)

Introduction

149

(1)

Design of walls

149

(21)

Dimensional stability

149

(1)

Deformation or cracking due to loading

150

(1)

Movement caused by temperature changes

150

(1)

Movement caused by moisture expansion

150

(2)

Movement caused by chemical reactions

152

(1)

Designing for movement

153

(3)

Defects caused by compression failure

156

(4)

Laterally loaded masonry

160

(2)

Designing for wind

162

(8)

Defects related to masonry materials

170

(5)

Bricks

170

(2)

Blocks

172

(1)

Mortars

173

(2)

Dampproof courses

175

(1)

Wall ties

175

(1)

Workmanship

175

(4)

Points to remember

177

(1)

References

177

(2)

Foundations

179

(50)

Introduction

179

(1)

Causes of foundation movement to buildings

179

(1)

Structural damage caused by settlement of the bearing strata

179

(24)

Stratum variation

180

(1)

Soft spots

180

(3)

Lateral displacement

183

(3)

Collapse settlement of fill

186

(3)

Inundation of fills

189

(1)

Settlements in soft natural strata

189

(7)

Foundations on deep filled ground

196

(7)

Subsidence-related defects

203

(26)

Mining subsidence

203

(3)

Brine pump extraction and salt mining

206

(1)

Natural solution features in gypsum, chalk and limestone

207

(2)

Stone and mineral mining

209

(1)

Subsidence of clay soils caused by trees

210

(16)

Points to remember

226

(1)

References

227

(2)

Index

229

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Structural Defects Reference Manual for Low-Rise Buildings

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials