Floor slab cracking

Industrial Warehouse Foundations – UK

This project involved the inspection and geotechnical analysis of a multi-bay portal frame warehouse, which was located adjacent to a river cutting and supported on trench fill and pad foundations.  Shortly after construction, ongoing cracking and deformation of the cladding was noted in some areas of the warehouse.

The employer launched a claim against the design and build contractor, who engaged WJM&P as the engineering expert to determine the cause of the cracking and the likely scope of the remedial works required.  We carried out a detailed inspection of the warehouse, reviewed level monitoring data, and arranged for a ground investigation.  This comprised trial pits, boreholes and the installation of piezometers and inclinometers to investigate the ground under the warehouse and the behaviour of the cutting.  In light of this information, we carried out settlement and slope stability analysis to determine the likely causes of the ongoing movements and cracking.

The employer’s claim was settled with the design and build contractor at mediation, at which we acted as the civil and engineering expert witness.