Civil Engineering/ground settling

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Expert: - 1/14/2005


Question
Hello, I have a question in regards to ground settling. Our parking lot is settling in a certain area approximately 15 feet square; there was a previous building demolished about 30 years ago and I believe the foundation was back filled and constructed over. During the past couple of years, a depression has occurred, and is getting worse. We are looking for a solution; is there a way to determine if there is a void underground, should we just dig down 3' or 5' and replace the soil with compacted gravel?
Thanks for any advice.
 
Your Name:  alan rainville
Your Email Address:  arainfire@comcast.net  

Answer
Hi Alan,

It is very difficult to give advice about ground problems without physically inspecting it. However, there are ways of determining in-situ ground density and compaction (soils testing labs can do this) and to check susceptibility to future settlement, which can go on for years. You suggestion of digging it all out and replacing with well graded granular compacted material will also work.

Hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad

Civil Engineering

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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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