Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 24, 2015 8:47 pm HI Forumites Just wondering If I should mention this to my site supervisor I have seen this on 2 sides of my house when you look in the crack the hole is actually huge like massive no soil underneath there. Im thinking this could be a major issue what should I tell the builder to make sure its rectified. Slab has only been down about 2 months http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/bsb20092010/IMG_5034_zpsxca15hkp.jpg http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/bsb20092010/IMG_5035_zpstfxz8er6.jpg http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/bsb20092010/IMG_5036_zpsj9twvlwq.jpg Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 2Jun 24, 2015 9:57 pm I would be very concerned about this. If the Site Supervisor hasn't done anything He must be walking around with his eyes closed. You would be best advised getting some professional help. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 5Jun 25, 2015 2:12 am You have got to be kidding me? Thats deplorable! I'm guessing you're on reactive soil? Which suburb are you building in? Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 6Jun 25, 2015 7:39 am Hi 6Banga From the Photos posted I see several problems Firstly you will need to determine the primary cause, in many cases there will be a combinationof events/failures.This then makes it difficult to pin direct blame if you are seeking rectification and insurance claims.Secondly,there are a number of repairs that can be actioned from soil packing, grouting and underpinning cost increases considerably for underpinning. Finally,you want to avoid the cheapest and the most expensive, the SS will no doubt offer you the cheapest repair...you will need to make sure its the most effective in the long term. By chance do you have the engineering drawings? Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 7Jun 25, 2015 9:47 am Is this slab from the house you asked the question about in May, regarding your slab? http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77304&p=1351869#p1351869 http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/bsb20092010/IMG_4744_zps1x1dkzee.jpg http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/bsb20092010/IMG_4742_zpsifnd0i1k.jpg Did you end up hiring an independent inspector at that time??? Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 8Jun 25, 2015 10:56 am gandn Is this slab from the house you asked the question about in May, regarding your slab? http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77304&p=1351869#p1351869 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Did you end up hiring an independent inspector at that time??? Sure is the same slab no I did not hire an inspector I used the builders engineer which he ok'd it as being fine. Im sure I will get the same treatment once again, I have very big doubts about this now Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 9Jun 25, 2015 10:57 am StructuralBIMGuy Hi 6Banga From the Photos posted I see several problems Firstly you will need to determine the primary cause, in many cases there will be a combinationof events/failures.This then makes it difficult to pin direct blame if you are seeking rectification and insurance claims.Secondly,there are a number of repairs that can be actioned from soil packing, grouting and underpinning cost increases considerably for underpinning. Finally,you want to avoid the cheapest and the most expensive, the SS will no doubt offer you the cheapest repair...you will need to make sure its the most effective in the long term. By chance do you have the engineering drawings? I do have the engineer drawings handy Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 10Jun 25, 2015 12:18 pm Hi Everyone Below is the response I received from the site supervisor ( I would like to hear some expert opinions on the below ) I’ve been to site and had a close look at your concern, it is where the ground has settled naturally after we have done our external drainage. This generally happens after rain, we have to let it settle like this because we cannot compact the trenches as this can crush the pipes. In saying that we will not leave it like that and throughout the remainder of the build I will have our machine operator backfill lightly to fill any settlement of the ground. The slab has been designed to the sit on the piers, so there will be no movement due to the this. You could tunnel under the whole slab and this will not affect the structural integrity of the slab. To avoid this occurring any further after handover is for the home owner to landscape with either concrete paths or some other material that can be compacted so it will not wash away. Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 11Jun 25, 2015 1:30 pm Your site super visor basically said we will happily cover it up, I would take heaps pictures , plenty close ups and get that independent inspector or any cost he will be will seem like a needle in a haystack after. Most will favour who pays their bills opinions, , imagine if builders people continually cost builder big corrective actions, despite them been best for poor home owners, guess who would be replaced. So get your own guy to clarify the truth and not be conned or bullied into best for builders pocket remedies. Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 12Jun 25, 2015 1:31 pm Your site super visor basically said we will happily cover it up, I would take heaps pictures , plenty close ups and get that independent inspector or any cost he will be will seem like a needle in a haystack after. Most will favour who pays their bills opinions, , imagine if builders people continually cost builder big corrective actions, despite them been best for poor home owners, guess who would be replaced. So get your own guy to clarify the truth and not be conned or bullied into best for builders pocket remedies. Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 13Jun 26, 2015 11:50 am 6banga Hi Everyone Below is the response I received from the site supervisor ( I would like to hear some expert opinions on the below ) I’ve been to site and had a close look at your concern, it is where the ground has settled naturally after we have done our external drainage. This generally happens after rain, we have to let it settle like this because we cannot compact the trenches as this can crush the pipes. The Bottom line is unless your SS is an engineer..then he is not qualified for an opinion in the Building Commission 6banga In saying that we will not leave it like that and throughout the remainder of the build I will have our machine operator backfill lightly to fill any settlement of the ground The slab has been designed to the sit on the piers, so there will be no movement due to the this. You could tunnel under the whole slab and this will not affect the structural integrity of the slab. Really..clients hear than nonsense talk from SS all the Time. Funny enough.. Ive never seen anyone produce calculations/simulations of all possible failure mechanisms..until its too late! 6banga To avoid this occurring any further after handover is for the home owner to landscape with either concrete paths or some other material that can be compacted so it will not wash away. You are wise to document and photograph everything... generally its a waiting game.. when evidence of possible failure starts appearing it can be easily matched with engineering simulations which shows causes & effects based on time & all other related variables etc. A few years ago it (partial failure, negligence & causes) was hard to prove , not so now Leave a PM Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 14Jun 27, 2015 10:42 pm Get yourself an independent as it has been advised to you months ago when you first voiced your concerns. This will give you some documented proof (photos, data etc..) that will allow you to take it up with the builder in the future if you have a structural failure. Re: Void under slab soil erosion Help 15Jun 28, 2015 5:18 pm Definitely take pictures, a visual record of the events will go a long way if things do turn sour. It would also be beneficial to make notes ie diary entries of where, when and the content of discussions. From what I can see in the attached photos it seems as though there has been no compaction of backfill once the drainage was installed, as mention by the supervisor. Something doesn't look right (obviously) as the soil seems sandy which if damp when backfilling will fill in much better than what has been shown... Keep notes and photos but get professional advice if it still concerns you as I think that it would be money well spent. W.. To me, that's what it looks like: poor backfilling and/or compaction. The width is about 1000mm maybe. 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