Estimating weight of structure
Estimating weight of structure
(OP)
We are trying to decide the most cost effective method to repair and stabilize the foundation of our 2 story lake home. What the structure weighs (for lifting purposes), or what the total weight of structure and contents (for new foundation purposes)is always an issue. For ballpark cost estimates, what is the best way to estimate these weights?





RE: Estimating weight of structure
A site for actual material weight is:
http://www.foretruss.com/WTMAT.pdf
Before you do any repair work, please hire a competent geotechnical engineer to evaluate the settlement and its causes. A geotechnical engineer to take boring samples of the soil layer beneath your slab/house. Once the source or reason for settling is discovered, corrective action can be developed by a professional engineer. There are many techniques available to stop the settlement and to control/prevent future settlement. Some of these techniques are:
1. Use of needle type piles
2. Under pinning using helical type anchors
3. Injecting cement/rout under the slab
4. Injecting urethane type material that will expand, fill voids
RE: Estimating weight of structure
RE: Estimating weight of structure
RE: Estimating weight of structure
RE: Estimating weight of structure
Wow. Everything rests on the foundation, and the house is suffering damage - but you three won't invest a few thousand dollars to find out what's wrong? And how to fix it properly? You'll trust someone who may have a high school diploma to fix a major investment - blind? Rather than hire an expert - who probably has 6 or more years of education and a lot of practical experience?
That's like going to a shoe store to buy a new pair of sneakers because your feet are in excruciating pain - rather than see a podiatrist. Sheesh.
You seem to think the foundation system is overloaded. What if you're wrong? What if the problem cannot be fixed by the cheapest method? (Lake shorelines are notorious for having hidden features that play hell on foundations. Features than can be no wider than 20 feet.) And if you can't afford to fix it right the first time, how will you afford fixing it twice?
Please see FAQ731-376 by VPL for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Estimating weight of structure
RE: Estimating weight of structure
Resently i repaired a home with foundtion settlement. The Geo fee was $600.
Many states now have disclosure Laws requiring setting issues being disclosed before sale.
RE: Estimating weight of structure
I am buying a house right now and disclosure is required. In fact, the house is in a known area of expansive soils. The previous owner disclosed that a crack had occurred at one time in the slab and was repaired. I am requiring that the backyard be re-graded to direct water away from the foundation as it appears that this could introduce water under the foundation. If it wasn't for the disclosure laws, I would likely have never known this.