×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

(OP)
I'm looking at buying a home with an unfinished basement and somewhere along the line it would seem nice to put full size windows in the basement. Putting the windows in would involve cutting out a larger section below the existing windows (small basement windows ~36''long x 10'' wide) However, my initial feeling is that this either cannot work or is a very bad idea.  The house is a single floor ranch with attic. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

RE: Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

It's done all the time. Nearly every basement finish of older homes requires enlarging windows to meet current egress requirements.

 

RE: Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

You may need to put in a window well of some sort to keep the earth back, but it should be able to be done.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

(OP)
Thanks for the responses. Do you know if there are any concerns with seriously damaging the foundation while cutting out the larger area (such as starting a horizontal crack which could propogate across the entire wall)?  

RE: Modifying Poured Concrete Foundation

Damage to foundation itself is unlikely if a reinforced concrete wall and foundation and care in following the geometry is taken. Use better rotary cut than percussion to avoid minor cracking. The biggest issue is support of the first floor, have it studied all along the process, as in the final state as well.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources