Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
(OP)
Hi, Gentlemen:
Here is the scenario:
Company "A" sold a structural product to Client "B". Client "B" hired an Eng. firm "C" to design the foundation for this structural product, somehow for some reason, Eng. firm "C" made some mistakes in dimension measurement that the column is now seated on the outer edge of the foundation stemwall while it should be seated on the center of the stemwall. After they found this mistake, they added a hairpin to balance the outward horizontal load as a retrofit, and the engineer of Client "B" OK'ed with this retrofit.
The unfactored vertical load of this column on the foundation is 180 kips, as is shown in attached diagram.
Now I have 2 questions:
1. How do you calculate the vertical load capacity of the foundation stemwall as now the load is very close to the outer edge of the stemwall (edge distance is only 3.75")? Will you guys validate it as appropriate?
2. This second question is a legal question: As now the structural design engineer in company "A" was also informed this issue, and suppose in future the structural product failed due to this foundation issue, will the structural design engineer in company "A" also blamed to take some liability because he ignored it and did not take any action to prevent this foundation to be put in use?
Thank you very much for your inputs.






RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
If it does fail and there is a lawsuit, you can be sure that anyone involved on the project (not just the foundation issue) is fair game - those covered by insurance, even if not involved with this specific issue, can be forced to give insurance payouts. Insurance companies prefer to payout a settlement quickly instead of hassle with defending the innocent. (costs less).
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
2) I as far as I understand from this question, neither B or C will blamed A. but if the foundation failed then A,B and C will be blamed !!!
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
No one on this site can validate a design(whatever that means).
Just giving you pointers/tips and feedback.
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
If the drawing is to scale, the base plate is approximately 7.5" x 10", so the average bearing pressure is 2.4 ksi which is a bit high (by the Canadian code), particularly when the edge of plate is flush with the edge of concrete.
BA
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
Thanks for everybody's input.
BA's concern is also one of my concern, also based on ACI-318, the bearing capacity of base plate seated at edge is only half of that when base plate is seated at center. To avoid possible trouble I am not going to post more information on this, but have last question to ask and would like to get oppinion from you guys:
Current situation is PEs in Eng firm "C" and client "B" approved this foundation. Company "A" do not feel comfortable about this foundation but it seems like non of Company "A"s business and Company "A" do not want to stick nose into other's business. In this circumtance, what is the most appropriate attitude that Company "A" should take to prevent possible (in case) future legal trouble?
Thank you very much.
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
If you know about it, you can be sued, even if innocent.
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
Step 1 - what potential failures do you envision with this problem (concrete bearing failure, foundation overturning...)?
Step 2 - Ask engineer B how engineer C verified that these failures will not occur?
Step 3 - Determine if you are satisfied with the answers. Otherwise return to step 1 with clarification.
Step 4 - Let us know how it went.
RE: Column seated on edge of foundation stemwall by mistake
If they do not agree, you must put your concerns in writing, first to the other engineers and secondly, in the absence of appropriate remedial action, to the authority having jurisdiction. That is all you can do. It is not fun, but it is necessary to protect you and your company.
BA