DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Module:CET 05112 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

GROUP MEMBERS:

1.Selemani kizuki
2.Kenedy mbovela
3.Issa Mustafa
4.Israel keenja (220121432151)
5.Magabon robert
6.zainabu hamis
CASE 1
Building a residential building on sand that has underlaying
horizontal flow of water:

After long discussions our group came up with the following answers:
1) Site Assessment:
• Conduct a thorough site analysis to understand the soil
composition, groundwater table, and direction of water flow.
• Identify the presence of any underground water sources that may
impact the stability of the sandy soil.
2) Soil Stabilization:
• Stabilize the sandy soil using appropriate methods such as vibro-
compaction or the addition of stabilizing agents to improve its load-
bearing capacity.
3)Foundation Design:
• Choose a foundation type suitable for sandy soil with consideration
for horizontal water flow. A reinforced concrete slab or a shallow
spread footing foundation may be appropriate.
4)Water Diversion Measures:
• Implement water diversion measures such as swales or drainage
channels to redirect surface water away from the building site.
5)Dewatering Planning:
• Based on the site assessment, design a dewatering plan to control
the groundwater level during construction.
• Determine the required dewatering rate and the anticipated
duration of dewatering activities.
• Installation of Dewatering System:
• Use wellpoints, sump pumps, or deep wells to create a dewatering
system.
• Wellpoints are installed around the excavation area, connected to a
header pipe, and connected to a pump that draws water out of the
ground.
6)Monitoring Instruments:
• Employ monitoring instruments to assess the effectiveness of
dewatering and ensure the stability of the excavation.
• Common instruments include piezometers to measure water levels,
inclinometers to monitor slope stability, and settlement plates to
detect ground movement.
7) Dewatering Rate Control:
• Adjust the dewatering rate based on continuous monitoring results
to prevent excessive drawdown of the water table, which could lead
to soil instability.
8)Groundwater Treatment (if required):
• Treat extracted groundwater if it contains contaminants to meet
environmental regulations before discharging it.
9) Foundation Construction:
• Begin foundation construction once the groundwater level has
been sufficiently lowered, providing a stable work environment.
10 Waterproofing Measures:
• Apply waterproofing measures to the foundation walls and slab to
prevent water infiltration into the structure.
11) Structural Design for Water Flow:
• Design the structure to resist lateral forces from horizontal water
flow. This may include additional reinforcements and detailing to
withstand potential impacts.
12)Landscaping and Grading:
• After construction, implement proper landscaping and grading to
ensure surface water drains away from the structure.
• Regular Monitoring:
• Continue monitoring groundwater levels and overall site stability
during and after construction to address any unexpected changes
promptly.
13) Regulatory Compliance:
• Obtain necessary permits and adhere to local building codes,
environmental regulations, and safety standards.
By incorporating proper dewatering techniques, you can create a
stable construction environment on sandy soil with horizontal water
flow, reducing the risks associated with water-related challenges
during the building process.
If the considerations mentioned above are not taken into account
when building a residential structure on sandy soil with a horizontal
flow of water, several issues and risks may arise:
1)Foundation Instability:
• Without proper soil stabilization and foundation design, the
structure may experience settling, shifting, or even foundation failure
due to the unstable nature of sandy soil.
2) Erosion and Undermining:
• Failure to address horizontal water flow can lead to erosion around
the foundation, potentially undermining its stability over time. This
could result in structural damage and compromise the safety of the
building.
3) Flood Risk:
• Lack of elevation and proper water drainage measures may expose
the structure to an increased risk of flooding during periods of high
water flow. This can lead to water damage, structural weakening, and
potential health hazards.
4) Water Penetration:
• Insufficient waterproofing measures can result in water penetration
into the building. This can lead to mold growth, deterioration of
building materials, and a decrease in the overall structural integrity.
5) Structural Damage:
• Failure to design the structure to resist lateral forces from water
flow may result in structural damage, particularly during periods of
heavy water flow, storms, or flooding events.
6) Regulatory Violations:
• Ignoring building codes and regulations related to floodplain
management and structural design can lead to legal issues, including
fines and the potential need for costly retrofits or corrections.
7) Long-term Maintenance Challenges:
• A lack of proper planning may result in ongoing maintenance
challenges, as the structure may be more susceptible to wear and
tear, requiring frequent repairs and improvements.
8) Decreased Property Value:
• Structural issues and a history of water-related problems can
decrease the overall value of the property, making it less desirable to
potential buyers or tenants
CASE 2:
Building on a slope area with clay soil

• Site Analysis:

Assess the slope's gradient and stability.

Conduct a soil analysis to understand the clay's characteristics and bearing capacity.

• Excavation:

Excavate the slope to create a level foundation area.

Ensure proper drainage by incorporating swales or drainage channels.

• Retaining Walls:

Consider building retaining walls to support the soil and prevent erosion.

Use appropriate materials for the walls, such as concrete blocks or treated timber.

• Footings:

Construct footings for the walls and foundation, ensuring they extend below the frost
line.

Use reinforced concrete for stability.

• Grading and Backfilling:

Gradually backfill the excavated area, compacting the soil in layers.

Use well-graded granular fill to enhance drainage and reduce pressure on the walls.

• Water Management:

Install drainage systems, such as French drains, to redirect water away from the
structure.

Consider incorporating erosion control measures like vegetation or erosion control

blankets.
• Foundation:

Choose a foundation type suitable for clay soil, like a reinforced concrete slab or pier
foundation.

Ensure proper waterproofing to prevent water infiltration.

• Structural Design:
Optimize structural designs by incorporating lightweight materials and flexibility to mitigate
additional loads on the clay and accommodate potential ground movements

• Construction Oversight:

Regularly inspect and monitor the construction process to address any issues
promptly.

• Landscaping:

Use native plants and vegetation to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Consider terracing or stepped landscaping to enhance aesthetics and manage the
slope.
A stepped foundation, also known as a stepped footing or terraced foundation, is a design approach
used on sloped terrain to create a series of level platforms (steps) for building construction. This
method helps to distribute the load more evenly across the slope and minimizes the impact of the
structure on the natural topography. Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• Site Analysis:

Assess the slope’s characteristics, including gradient, soil type, and stability.

Identify key factors such as drainage patterns and potential water runoff.

• Design Considerations:

Determine the number of steps required based on the slope’s severity and the desired building
footprint.

Each step serves as a level platform for constructing a portion of the building.

• Excavation:

Excavate the slope to create level platforms or steps where each portion of the foundation will be
placed.

Properly compact the soil in each step to ensure stability.

• Foundation Construction:

Construct individual foundations on each stepped level, ensuring they are appropriately sized and
reinforced.
The type of foundation (e.g., slab, crawl space, or piers) can vary based on the design and
engineering requirements.

• Retaining Walls:

Retaining walls may be necessary between steps to support the soil and prevent erosion.

These walls should be designed to withstand lateral soil pressure and water drainage.

• Drainage:

Implement drainage solutions, such as French drains or swales, to manage water runoff between
steps and prevent erosion.

• Stability and Reinforcement:

Each step and retaining wall should be designed to provide stability against the forces exerted by the
slope.

Reinforce the foundation and retaining structures to withstand both vertical and lateral loads.

• Structural Integration:

Design the building’s structure to integrate seamlessly with the stepped foundation.

Ensure that load distribution is balanced across the steps to prevent uneven settling.

• Landscaping:

Incorporate landscaping techniques to enhance the aesthetics of the stepped foundation, such as
planting vegetation on the steps.

Neglecting to consider both the slope and the clay soil when constructing a residential building can
lead to several adverse effects:

• Foundation Issues:

Building on a slope without proper consideration can result in uneven settling and structural
instability.

In clay soil, which is prone to shrinkage and expansion based on moisture levels, improper
foundation design can lead to cracking and shifting.

• Settling and Sinking:

In areas with expansive clay soil, changes in moisture content can lead to soil expansion or
shrinkage, causing the foundation to settle unevenly.

This differential settling can result in cracks in the foundation and structural elements.

• Cracking:

Cracks may appear in the foundation due to settling, shrinkage, or lateral soil pressure.
 Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal cracks may indicate different issues, such as foundation movement,
soil pressure, or water damage.

• Heaving:

In some cases, expansive clay soil can swell and heave, lifting the foundation.

This upward movement can lead to structural damage, including cracks in walls and floors.

• Foundation Undermining:

Poor drainage or water accumulation around the foundation can erode soil beneath the foundation.

This undermining weakens the foundation’s support, leading to settlement and structural instability.

• Poor Compaction:

Inadequate compaction of soil during construction can result in uneven support for the foundation.

Differential settlement may occur, causing the foundation to shift and leading to structural problems.

• Lateral Pressure:

Sloping terrain or poorly managed water drainage can exert lateral pressure on the foundation walls.

Over time, this pressure can cause bowing or leaning of the walls, leading to structural instability.

• Water Damage:

Excessive water around the foundation, whether from poor drainage, leaks, or floods, can weaken
the foundation.

Water damage can erode soil, degrade concrete, and contribute to the deterioration of foundation
materials.

• Foundation Upheaval:

In regions with freeze-thaw cycles, the expansion of soil upon freezing can lead to upward
movement of the foundation, causing damage.

• Improper Construction Practices:

Inconsistent or inadequate foundation design and construction practices can contribute to long-term
structural problems.

Lack of proper reinforcement, insufficient footings, or the use of substandard materials can lead to
foundation issues.

• Insufficient Drainage:

Poorly designed or clogged drainage systems can lead to water accumulation around the foundation.

Excess moisture can compromise the soil’s integrity and contribute to settling and erosion.

Addressing foundation problems often involves a combination of corrective measures, such as

underpinning, drainage improvement, and foundation repair. Regular inspections and maintenance
can also help identify and address foundation problems