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Expert: - 3/31/2011


Question
QUESTION: What type of foundation will be more suitable for a raised restaurant which is o be built on a filled marshland? Will the columns that are used to raise the restaurant have an effect on the filled marshland?

ANSWER: Hi 1234,

This depends on the depth of sound/good ground- if there is good bearing surface at say 1-2 m below the surface, you could use pad foundations, possibly connected with strap beams. If the ground is weak then a raft foundation may be the correct solution.

I do not see why the columns should have any effect on the marshland- perhaps I did not understand your question properly?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you.The marshland is situated close to the coast, I thought that the columns would make the restaurant sink after some time.

Answer
Hi 1234,

So, what you meant is ask is whether the marshland would have an effect on the columns? Surely thsi depends on whether you have constructed the columns bases on sound ground or not. If the bases are well below the ground surface, where erosion cannot affect them then the columns should be OK.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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