(Newswire.net — January 20, 2014) Billerica, MA — Geotechnical engineering and construction projects are complex and require an experienced foundation repair and civil engineering company with a high level of expertise. Only in recent years has the technology existed to fully explore surface and subsurface conditions. The shifting of underground conditions and rock structures, not to mention water flow due to tides and other conditions makes the repair, development or construction of weight supporting structures highly complex and necessitates the most current technology utilized by experienced professionals.
Geotechnical problems are not restricted to historic sites or modern high weight bearing locations such as airport runways. In one recent situation, a modern home in Massachusetts had serious shifts in foundation and interior wall alignment. Short of collapse, professionals discovered that prior to construction the site had been a gravel pit which had been filled in. As a remedy, Helical Piles were installed in a number of places to support floors and keep the landscaping intact. What causes settling foundation problems? There are several. Rich Porter of Engineered Foundation Technologies, LLC, (http://www.engineeredfoundationtech.com) a Geotechnical Engineering firm that specializes in foundation repair with offices in MA and NH, says “Foundation settlement can be caused from a variety of issues, such as buried organic sub-soils (swampy land), poorly placed fill soils, changes in water drainage, and frost heaving.”
In older communities land use was not always a concern for some developers and builders. These activities have led to sudden emergencies with foundations and in extreme cases, sinkholes. Geotechnical Engineering companies have the equipment and personnel to fully examine the perimeters of the damage, potential outcomes and prevent further deterioration with professional examination and repairs. Settling areas eventually result in foundation repair some of which can be quite costly if not identified at an early stage. Mr. Porter of EFT, LLC, (www.engineeredfoundationtech.com) suggests that many early “symptoms of foundation settlement include concrete cracks, sloping floors, sticking windows and doors. In most cases, excessive foundation settlement stems from an underlying soils problem.”
Additionally, the Massachusetts coastline and the changing effects of ocean tides and erosion on developed areas place stress on the surface and subsurface environment. The development of the city of Boston is evidence for the necessity of serious research and investigation for any new construction or maintenance of older structures and construction. Areas which result from filling in older waterways are prone to sub surface water table issues. Lack of stability of materials used to fill in current land areas is a major factor in how to build or stabilize buildings built before full examination of the longevity of the structure was fully considered. Earthquake predictability needs to be considered as well. Not only is the geological environment of Massachusetts a matter for dealing with foundation issues but the architecture of many cities and towns necessitates serious study before renovations or restoration.
Massachusetts has homes that date from 1636 which are prone to settling. Older parts of Boston such a house in China Town demand an expert analysis before starting any physical enhancements or upgrades. Foundation materials of older structures may deteriorate at different speeds than other building materials and any repairs, replacement or additions will have to be compatible and enhance durability. In many cases additional supports are added to keep the foundation stable and allow for additional weight such as furnishings, cumulative foot traffic and equipment such as appliances and machinery. The subsurface materials into which the pilings are to be sunk must be long enough to support the structure into the blue clay that lies beneath much of Boston’s landscape.
Major constructions in Boston require extensive surveys exemplified by the development of a proposed Gallery on the Garden in the Park Plaza urban renewal area that is on file at the Boston Public Library (https://archive.org/details/preliminarygeote00hale).The knowledge that much of today’s city exists on fill of varying substances from the mid 1700’s. Knowing the content of the ground underneath and what will be required for safe building foundations is one of the professional tasks a geotechnical company will provide. Federal grants expect these reports as a condition for funding as well.
Professional geotechnical companies are necessary for building and foundation projects. Solid foundations are safety issues and quality repairs keep these standards high and prevent future expense from emergency repairs and litigation from numerous sources.