Geo-Forensic Distress Evaluation of a Damaged Building Founded On Collapsable Soil with a View to Formulate a Remedial Strategy: A Case History

Abstract

House is a necessity of everyone around the world. In one of the house located at Mushtaq street in Risalpur Cantonment, cracks ofvarious width appeared throughout the house. Due to the cracks the house was declared unsuitable for living and evacuated.This research involved study of geological and geotechnical conditions of the site and also to review the structural condition of the building. The research was based on field tests and lab tests. Settlement analysis was carried out using the modern techniques. The research was carried to save precious money of government as construction of new house cost about 8 to 10 million rupees to the government.Investigations revealed foundation soil was low plastic silty clay and was collapsible in nature. Moreover, the foundation provided was not sufficient for the building. Poor maintenance was another cause of failure as the water seeped into foundations of most heavily loaded area.In the view of these findings, remediation suggested involved stabilization of soil with lime, relaying of foundation with 24 inches width and structural repointing of slightly damaged wall