Good waterproofing membranes of course.
Free-draining backfill and redundant underdrains. You can even run the
separate underdrains to an inlet box and take a peek in there every so
often to see which underdrain is passing water (like we use in
reservoirs to know where the seepage is).
A clay layer under the topsoil over the structure to route water away
from the structure footprint. Very good to excellant ventilation of the
place - will likely have to be forced air ventilation.
I like underground stuff.
Bob Garner, S.E.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Utzman [mailto:chuckuc@pacbell.net]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 10:37 AM
To: seaint@seaint.org
Subject: Re: underground house
Jordan Truesdell, PE wrote:
> Back to the original post - I would rather cut off my left leg than
> put my seal on an all-underground structure made of masonry. The
> question isn't if the structure will leak, but when. You're on the
> right path looking for books to see how others have done the assembly.
> The structural analysis part is easy - it's just loads and
> resistances. I would probably require two things up front - a solid
> geotechnical report with at least 6-7 borings, and a contractual
> requirement that the filling operations be done with a licensed
> geotechnical engineering firm doing continuous testing. Poor
> compaction can invalidate your anticipated loads.
>
> Sounds like a fun project. It's going to be a lot of work - I hope you
> didn't underbid it.
>
> Jordan
>
>
>
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The structural part is simple compared to the waterproofing. Personally
I wouldn't do anything other than reinforced concrete with a Xypex
admixture for the structure.
Detailing the cross-sections is simple, but the isometric details at all
the discontinuities are the critical part of the waterproofing design.
Once you've clear detailed every component, arrange for pre-construction
meetings with everyone & make sure there is one person on the G.C.'s
crew who will supervise the entire process (you'll need to walk him
through the details, the workers won't look at, or understand, your
drawings). You are going to have to make daily inspections of every
single w.p. membrane/corner/penetration installation. Then you cross
your fingers & hopes the statute of limitations runs out before the
leaks start--they will be a bitch to repair $$$.
I'm happy to make informal recommendations to the arch./G.C./owner on
waterproofing, but my contract is crystal clear that I will assume no
responsibility for waterproofing or ventilation issues. Good luck with
this--you will need it. This is not like a test in school, or even
structural engineering--waterproofing must be perfect, 95% was an A in
school, here its a lawsuit.
Chuck Utzman, PE
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