Open AccessForensic Engineering Investigation Of Distressed Residential Foundations From Plumbing Leaks
Author(s) -
Toshi Nobe
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of the national academy of forensic engineers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.102
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2379-3252
pISSN - 2379-3244
DOI - 10.51501/jotnafe.v24i1.674
Subject(s) - expansive clay , foundation (evidence) , soil water , expansive , damages , geotechnical engineering , engineering , aqueduct , civil engineering , forensic engineering , environmental science , law , geography , soil science , archaeology , compressive strength , materials science , political science , composite material
The Distress To A Home Caused By A Plumbing Leak Under A Residential Foundation In Expansive Soils Can Be A Great Risk To Homeowners And Insurance Companies. It Was Estimated That Annual Damages In 1983 Due To Shrinking And Swelling Soils Averaged $9 Billion Nationwide, Causing Staggering Economic Loss.1 A Property Claim Resulting From A Purported Underground Plumbing Leak Affecting Moisture Content In Expansive Soils May Involve A Number Of Interested Parties Including: Homeowners, An Insurance Agent, An Insurance Claims Adjuster, A Plumbing Contractor, A Forensic Engineering Investigator, A Public Adjuster, A Foundation Contractor, A Foundation Design Engineer, And Attorneys... This Paper Describes A Step-By-Step Protocol For A Typical Residential Foundation Investigation That May Involve A Potential Legal Challenge As The Result Of The Investigatory Findings As Schematically Shown In Figures 1 And 2. This Paper Discusses The Areas Of Contention Based On Current Technology Involving Expansive Soil Foundations. Expansive Soils Are Clay Soils That Swell Volumetrically When The Soils Are Exposed To Moist Conditions.3 Clay Soil Shrinks When It Dries; Those Soils That Shrink And Swell To Extremes Are Known As Expansive Soils.