Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
(OP)
I received a phone from a resident in Kentucky wanting me to look at the foundation of his house. Supposedly the house was built approximately six years and recently they were adding a slab-on-grade patio and discovered a trench that had been filled with debris. Well they started to notice there was some settlement issues with the house. They discovered that this trench filled with debris continues underneath the foundation of the house. They had a foundation stabilization company come out and put steel piles underneath the foundation where this trench exists. The owner wants to know what should be done with the existing trench filled with debris. He stated to me that one engineer had told him to pressure grout the trench and another engineer told him to remove the debris from the trench and fill it will a flowable fill such a concrete.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It seems to me that the best thing to do would be to remove the debris and fill in with some lean concrete. Also, their homeowner's insurance is involved with this situation and that is why I am asking for anyone's opinion.
Thank you for your time and attention
Sincerely,
Val C.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It seems to me that the best thing to do would be to remove the debris and fill in with some lean concrete. Also, their homeowner's insurance is involved with this situation and that is why I am asking for anyone's opinion.
Thank you for your time and attention
Sincerely,
Val C.
Val Courtney, PE
Optimal Engineering, Inc.





RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
The reason being is a somewhat common foundation is called a rubble trench but it really has compacted crushed rock or round stone in it. My house has a continuous footing on top of this type of foundation. It extends below the frost line and hase drain tile installed at the bottom with filter fabric lining the trench.
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
I agree with PSlem - compaction grouting should do the trick. Too tricky to remove the debris without introducing more distress.
Jeff
Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.
www.ttlassoc.com
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
I believe the trench has just garbage debris in it from what the owner has explained to me.
PEinc,
I believe the house has steel piles installed under the footings to help stabilize the footings and prevent the house from future settlement. If this is fully true, then I think it would probably be advisable from what I have gathered to fill with a compaction grout. I have not gone to this house yet. From what the owner tells me he has had one engineer tell him to remove the debris and fill with a flowable fill and another engineer told him to use a compaction grout.
Thank you all for your input!!! All of you have been a great help!!
Val Courtney, PE
Optimal Engineering, Inc.
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!
RE: Residential Foundation Built On Top Of A Trench!!!