House Masonry Foundation Blocks impacts from Live Load 1

[tre5205]

If a house is approximately 12' away from a road where they are hauling heavy equipment. Could this heavy live load cause cracking in the foundation masonry blocks? How could i rule out just normal cracking from the material.

Thanks,

 

[msquared48]

It could.

Vibration in the ground from any source can cause settlement over time, causing cracking in any foundation wall.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[tre5205]

Thank mike for your response.

My thought was to use bousinessq equation to determine stress on the wall and verify that against the material stress of the block. I do not know if this seems reasonable or if there is another way to know for sure.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Yes it could... Ever heard of "street creep". Typically happens in a road curve or cul-de-sac. Over the years, the roadway actually moves and forces what is usually the front foundation wall to move also.

I couldn't believe it until I saw it. Seems to be quite plausible.

If dynamite can affect houses up to a mile away and the soil conditions are just right - I don't see why heavy lumbering trucks could not cause some damage.

 

[dicksewerrat]

Put a few vibration monitors in the base emnt and on the walls

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[dicksewerrat]

Which was there first? House or road?

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[msquared48]

Chicken.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[JAE]

This is a fairly large pdf document from the FTA. Good info I think:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_Noise_and_Vibration_Manual.pdf

And attached is a shorter article as well.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

M^2

Egg?