Engineering/construction question

[NickDanger]

I need to come up with a way to analyze foundations. Specifically, a foundation was engineered to have a concrete recess to house the newell post for the stairs of a second story house. It is believed that the builder did not do that, but fudged it instead. How can I confirm this short of a jackhammer? Is there x-ray technology that would work? Is it attainable?

 

[Dr Fear]

you describe the point at which i pull out the yellow pages.

 

[NickDanger]

and what would you look up in the yellow pages?

 

[BigWill]

Nick, I'm not a concrete expert, but I have seen X ray used to verify the presence of steel and post-tensioned cable in concrete. I'm not sure about the thickness of the concrete itsself. Before the jackhammer treatment, I would suggest a small core sample, which is easily measured/density tested and repaired

 

[NickDanger]

If at all possible, I need to be non-destructive. I'm sure I could drill through the post and see if I hit concrete, but I'd rather not. We are talking potentially 10's if not 100's of thousands of homes.

 

[grinder]

I would consult with a concrete testing company for possible leads/solutions. If you're in Austin, contact either Fugro or Kleinfelder. Here's a link to Fugro: The Link

 

[NickDanger]

Thanks. Fugro used to have an SA office. I'll check.

 

[politically correct horn]

There is a firm in Houston that does structural stuff using seismic technology. I just can not remember the name. They would place the geophones over the structure and that use a thumper. It would be very non invasive.

 

[NickDanger]

That sounds interesting. Expensive, but interesting. I've got calls into my engineer experts, but it's Fiesta week and everyone is sleeping it off apparently.

 

[MAROON]

sounds like Nick is formulating a class action suit that will pay for a) his Longhorn tickets for life, b) an annual safari hunting trip, c) both.

 

[suttree]

It's been several years since I used them, but TransTec Consultants in Austin came highly recommended to me, and they apparently do a bunch of TXDOT work. I think the main guy (can't remember his name right now, Frank McCullough?) is a professor at Texas. He may have retired since I used him, this was at least 6 years ago. I thought they were solid and seemed pretty cutting edge.

 

[MilkmanDan]

I know someone at Kleinfelder (although he's now in Dallas), Fugro, and TransTec. That's way too many civil engineers.

Unfortunately, I have learned nothing by osmosis and can't help you with your concrete.

 

[eggroll]

How paranoid are you? If the foundation is functioning properly why worry and try to hyper-analyze it. I have seen over and under engineered foundations. If there is no settlement and no problems go back inside and take a nap.

 

[BigWill]

In reply to:

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[WesTex]

Nick,

Are you concerned that builder did not recess the base of the newell post or form up and pour the recess space in the first place?

I may have a suggestion. But without knowing more details, I can't know if it is possible. I'll send you a PM with my contact information.

 

[NickDanger]

Paranoid? The question has nothing to do with performance of the foundation. Methinks you are the paranoid one.

 

[Tenor]

Maybe eggroll was the builder.

 

[Dogfinder]

In order to use X-ray: You need access to both sides of the concrete. Similar to a Radiologist, the NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) Technician sends x-rays through the concrete and collects them on the film on the other side. This is useful for determining the location of reinforcement, voids, etc. in concrete beams installed in an elevated superstructure.

If you only have access to one side of the concrete, i.e. a concrete slab installed on the ground, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) may be more appropriate for your application. Send me an email if you want to discuss it further: [email protected]

Gordon

 

[MrPhlegm]

What kind of flooring is around the base of the Newell posts?

Is it carpet or are they recessed into a wood floor?

If they are carpet can't you just pull back the carpet and pull up the tack strip and see if the post is recessed into the foundation?


The reason I ask this is because when my ex-father-in-law built our (me and my psycho ex) house in G-town his foundation guys didn't put a recess in the foundation for the newell posts for the staircase to the second floor and the finish carpenters that installed them were not able to secure them to the stairs or floors sufficently so they wiggled when you touched them.

 

[Dogfinder]

What to do depends on the application. A newel can be anything from an actual center column of a circular staircase that may require a deeper foundation at that location, all the way down to what you may be talking about, an mainly ornamental post.