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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Factors Influencing Surface Drainage near Building Foundations
Across America and specifically in hotbed development areas like Texas, California, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado, increased development has led to an increase in construction defect litigation. One commonly cited issue, slope within 5 ft of the building foundation, often results in large litigation claims because the cost to mitigate after construction may be significant. Specifically, areas in close proximity to the foundation are alleged to improperly convey water away from the foundation and with the potential for infiltration too close to the building foundation. This research surveys existing literature on the topic of surface-water and ground-water flow from building foundations, as well as investigates existing International Building Code requirements. The research identifies a range of scenarios including soil pore space, soil water capacity, soil water movement, infiltration rates, and other code or geotechnical recommendations that illustrate the challenges associated with surface runoff within ten feet of a building foundation. This research is critical because inadequate grade adjacent to foundation is cited in a large majority of construction defect litigation cases. Initial findings suggest that a building code required minimum five percent slope for the first 10 ft may not be sufficient to ensure proper drainage, but that a more comprehensive, multi-factored approach is necessary. Such research is critical to the construction industry, and may, eventually, lead to a reduction in litigation surrounding surface drainage.
Factors Influencing Surface Drainage near Building Foundations
Across America and specifically in hotbed development areas like Texas, California, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado, increased development has led to an increase in construction defect litigation. One commonly cited issue, slope within 5 ft of the building foundation, often results in large litigation claims because the cost to mitigate after construction may be significant. Specifically, areas in close proximity to the foundation are alleged to improperly convey water away from the foundation and with the potential for infiltration too close to the building foundation. This research surveys existing literature on the topic of surface-water and ground-water flow from building foundations, as well as investigates existing International Building Code requirements. The research identifies a range of scenarios including soil pore space, soil water capacity, soil water movement, infiltration rates, and other code or geotechnical recommendations that illustrate the challenges associated with surface runoff within ten feet of a building foundation. This research is critical because inadequate grade adjacent to foundation is cited in a large majority of construction defect litigation cases. Initial findings suggest that a building code required minimum five percent slope for the first 10 ft may not be sufficient to ensure proper drainage, but that a more comprehensive, multi-factored approach is necessary. Such research is critical to the construction industry, and may, eventually, lead to a reduction in litigation surrounding surface drainage.
Factors Influencing Surface Drainage near Building Foundations
Brogan, Elizabeth (author) / Clevenger, Caroline (author)
Construction Research Congress 2018 ; 2018 ; New Orleans, Louisiana
Construction Research Congress 2018 ; 572-581
2018-03-29
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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