Forensic analysis of foundation failure in gypsiferous ground

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 736 - 754
• Main Authors: González-Nicieza, C., Álvarez-Fernández, M.I., Álvarez-Vigil, A.E., Menéndez-Díaz, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Differential settlement; Forensic analysis; Foundations; Gypsiferous ground; Water table; Foundations; Forensic analysis; Differential settlement; Water table; Gypsiferous ground
• ISSN: 1350-6307; 1873-1961
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2007.06.010

This paper presents the results of the forensic analysis of failure in a block of buildings declared in ruins in 1998 in the city of Oviedo (Spain). Works were carried out in the same year in the vicinity of the block to build an underground car park. We analyze if the observed damage is the result of the actual deterioration of the building itself, or it depends on the construction of the car park. An interesting aspect of this analysis is that of presenting a working method for analyzing foundations resting on gypsiferous materials, in which the geotechnical study must extend beyond the vicinity of the constructed area due to the possible effect of settlement phenomena derived from changes in the water table level of the subsoil. It is concluded that the damage the failure of the buildings is fundamentally due to a process of settlement and consolidation of the ground. It cannot be stated that the excavation carried out for the underground car park was the cause of the deterioration of the buildings. This conclusion was included in the sentence of the High Court of Justice of Asturias in 2005, which rules that “there exists no necessary causal link between the construction of the car park and the damage to the apartment buildings”.