BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

Name of Student: Jhun Mark Joefill B. Salgado Name of Instructor: Ar. Rasel B.
Dalogdog

Activity No.: Activity no. 4 Subject: Heritage Conservation

2

Foundation Failure

Building foundations are crucial to the stability and structural integrity of any
construction project. However, despite rigorous planning and construction, foundation
failures can still occur, causing major problems and significant financial losses. Whether
it is due to environmental factors, design flaws, or construction errors, understanding
the causes and consequences of foundation failure is vital in ensuring the safety and
longevity of buildings.

Foundation failure refers to the inability of the building’s foundation or base

structure to justify its purpose, which is to support the building. The failure of the
structural base of the building leads to various consequences, it could be fatal
especially to the occupants and the neighboring structures. This phenomenon can lead
to serious structural damage, safety hazards and costly repairs. As an architecture
student, in designing a side from aesthetics, always consider the structural integrity of
the building to ensure the safety and the longevity of the structure.

Historical buildings have withstood the test of time, but the ravages of years can
take a toll on their structural stability. Elements such as weather, earthquakes, and even
the natural settling of the ground can all contribute to the degradation of these
structures. Additionally, outdated construction practices and materials may not meet
current safety standards.

Maintaining historic structures and guaranteeing their structural integrity

necessitates striking a careful balance between addressing the difficulties brought on by
their age and putting contemporary preservation methods into place to save them for
future generations.

In terms of heritage preservation, foundation failure leads to complex process of

preservation, massive repair, restoration and retrofitting of most damaged parts
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

especially the foundation, it might affect the heritage building to be not considered due
to damaged materials that might need replacement or usage of similar type of materials.

Some key challenges faced in preserving historical buildings are:

 Decaying Foundations: Over time, foundations can weaken due to soil erosion
or shifting, compromising the structural stability of the entire building.

 Masonry Deterioration: Brick and stone materials used in historical buildings

may crumble due to weather exposure, leading to potential collapse.

 Structural Deficiencies: Outdated construction techniques and materials can

result in inadequate load-bearing capacity or insufficient reinforcement.

 Fire Hazards: Aging electrical systems and the lack of modern fire safety
measures put historical buildings at a higher risk of fire incidents.

Preservation efforts for historical buildings require a comprehensive approach that

prioritizes both the conservation of their unique features and the implementation of
modern safety measures. By combining the expertise of architects, engineers,
historians, and craftsmen, these remarkable structures can be safeguarded for future
generations to appreciate.
Key steps in preserving historical buildings include:
 Thorough Structural Assessment: Conducting detailed inspections and
assessments to identify any existing damage or vulnerabilities.
 Conservation of Original Features: Preserving and repairing historically
significant elements while ensuring they meet modern safety standards.
 Restoration of Foundations: Strengthening foundations through techniques
such as underpinning or installing steel supports to combat erosion and settling.
 Masonry Stabilization: Repairing and reinforcing deteriorated brick or stone
facades to prevent further damage and structural instability.
 Fire Safety Enhancements: Installing modern fire detection and suppression
systems, as well as upgrading electrical wiring to mitigate fire risks.
Importance of Preservation of Heritage Buildings:
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

Historical and Cultural Significance: Older structures act as concrete linkages to

the past and reflect our common cultural history. By keeping them intact, we make
sure that next generations can engage with and benefit from history.
Tourism and Economic Impact: Tourists are drawn to historical buildings, which
boost local economies and provide employment in the tourism sector. The growth of
sustainable tourism is facilitated by preservation activities.

Architectural and Design Inspiration: The development of modern architectural

styles is influenced by the inspiration of historical buildings for modern architects and
designers.

Environmental Sustainability: By encouraging sustainable practices and lowering

the need for new construction and its corresponding carbon impact, retrofitting and
repurposing old buildings can help the environment.

Here are some of the factors that cause foundation failure in building, poor soil
conditions, inadequate foundation design, construction on unstable ground, poor quality
construction, changes in moisture levels, natural disasters. These factors can lead to
serious foundation failures. There are also external factors which are soil conditions, soil
erosion, hydrostatic pressure and seismic activity, these factors pertain to the site
condition and its components. If there’s an external factor, there are also internal, those
are design flaws, poor construction process, overloading, and poor maintenance, these
factors pertain to the building itself if it is properly design, the construction method
applied is appropriate to the site condition and if the implementation of the construction
is properly laid out. These factors affect the preservation of built heritage, especially
masonry.

The combination of these factors can lead to foundation failure. A better way to
avoid these factors is performing an architectural research and feasibility study to know
if the site is suitable for building a particular structure.
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

EXTERNAL FACTORS:

SOIL CONDITION The foundation may be significantly

impacted by the kind and state of the soil.
For example, expansive soils with a high
percentage of clay can expand and
contract in response to variations in
moisture content, which can lead to
foundation heaving or settling. Failure of
the foundation and structural damage may
follow from this.

SOIL EROSION ON FOUNDATION Natural disasters like intense rain, flooding,

or wind can cause soil erosion. This may
erode the foundation, causing it to settle or
maybe collapse.

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE Hydrostatic pressure can affect buildings

that are close to water or in places with a
high-water table. This is the force that
groundwater applies to the building's
foundation, which has the potential to
cause it to collapse or break.
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

SEISMIC ACTIVITY Because the ground moves during an

earthquake, buildings in seismic zones are
susceptible to foundation failure. The
amount of damage can be estimated
based on the magnitude of the earthquake
and the structure of the building
foundation.

INTERNAL FACTORS

DESIGN FLAW Inadequate design decisions, like insufficient

foundation width or depth, can cause
overloading and foundation failure. Failure
can also occur from ignoring the qualities of
the soil and from selecting the wrong kind of
foundation for the circumstances.

POOR CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE The strength and stability of the foundation

might be jeopardized by using improper
building techniques, such as inadequate
concrete curing, weak reinforcement, or
inadequate soil compaction.

OVERLOADING Failure can result from overloading the

foundation beyond its design capability due to
extra weight from renovations, equipment or
occupant changes, or natural disasters like
severe snowfall.
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

POOR MAINTENANCE Regular inspections are necessary to look for

any indications of movement or damage to the
foundation. Failure can result from cracks,
leaks, and other deterioration that jeopardizes
the foundation's structural integrity and
stability.

EXAMPLE OF FOUNDATION FAILURE

OCEAN TOWER

One example of a famous foundation failure right here in

Texas is South Padre Island’s Ocean Tower. Ocean Tower was
originally designed to be a 31-story building which housed
high-end condominiums. However, construction of the tower
couldn’t be completed because of foundation problems
discovered in early 2008. The expansive soil beneath the
tower began to compact, causing the building to sink and
lean. Construction ceased and the building had to be
demolished in 2009.

The Transcona Grain Elevator was a grain storage facility used by the
Canadian Pacific Railway. The Transcona Grain Elevator didn’t even
last a day before foundation problems surfaced. On October 18,
1913, the building began to settle as grain was moved indoors. In the
first hour after unloading, the building sank one foot into the ground.
By the next day, the building was tilted an entire 27 degrees to the
west. Researchers found that the foundation was extremely unstable
because it was constructed on stratified clay, which contained layers
of silt salt throughout the layers of clay.

LEANING TOWER OF PISA

In at least one case, foundation failure didn’t completely

ruin a building. When construction began on the Tower
of Pisa 840 years ago, workers immediately ran into soil-
 BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Instruction Office

Vision: A premier Science and Technology university for the formation of world class and virtuous human resource for
sustainable development in Bohol and the country.

Mission: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as well as in the professional and
technological fields; undertake research and development and extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol
and the country.

Thus, in the building and architectural sectors, risk mitigation and striking a balance
between preservation and structural integrity are constant challenges. Professionals can
successfully negotiate these complications by putting safety first, using adaptive reuse
approaches, addressing environmental challenges, and embracing teamwork.

Safeguarding the tales, values, and creativity ingrained in architectural structures is

equally as important as maintaining the actual buildings when it comes to preserving our
architectural legacy. We can make sure that future generations continue to value and benefit
from these priceless artifacts by implementing sustainable practices, utilizing technology
breakthroughs, and encouraging cooperation.

In historic building preservation, it is essential that in conducting such action there will
be consideration to be implemented. Since, the historical building possesses rich culture and
history, it is important to preserve it and know its potential in order for it not just for historical
purposes but also serves as a landmark, and income generator.