FOUNDATION INSPECTION:
For our own designs, the design engineer does his own prepour inspection. For existing foundations we provide a digital elevation survey, beam depth probing and visual inspection. Then we analyze the collected  data to create an engineer's opinion in the form of an engineer stamped report. Homeowners, builders, buyers, and realtors, contact us for prompt, professional, and detailed engineering inspection services.

FOUNDATION DESIGN: Foundation design can be challenging for our 'Texas brand' of expansive soils. Here are some of the the things we consider when providing a foundation design.

WHAT TYPE SOIL?
Typically a foundation design will start with a geotechnical report. This will provide data to allow proper foundation design such as the defining how much the soil expands and contracts during Texas seasonal changes. It may provide recommendations such as good, better, best foundation solutions. In some cases a small project foundation addition may be designed without a geotechnical report. TexasEngineer will always take the time to explain the issues and their pluses and minuses as they apply for your project.

WHAT TYPE HOUSE?
With an understanding of the site requirements, the design is reviewed. How big and how tall? One, two, three or more stories? Multiple buildings? What shape? A simple Box or Cut-Up geometry? Will it be built using conventional 2x4 or 2x6 wood framing, SIP (structural insulated panel), AAC, ICF, or CMU block? Will it use Wood Siding, Hardi Siding, Brick or Stone Veneer, Full Brick or Full Stone?

"SLAB ON GRADE":
For construction on soil conditions that are moderately active, we can apply a slab-on-grade based on either the WRI [Wire Reinforcement Institute] rebar-reinforced guideline, and PTI (Post Tension Institute) post-tension cabling guidelines as modified for Texas soils and climate. This is called a slab-on-grade foundation.

"CRAWL SPACE":
A popular alternative for moderately elevated foundations is a 'pier-and-beam' or 'crawl space' rasied foundation using wood support girder system design or cutting edge structural insulated panel systems.

PILING FOUNDATIONS - ECO uses driven piling foundations for  coastal projects. ECO piling projects are in Seabrook, Galveston, and Bolivar. Piling types include treated wood, fibergless, precast concrete, and site poured concrete.

DESIGN AND ADJUSTMENTS:
To keeps design time and costs low, like many engineers, I use a combination of spreadsheets and software design software like PTISlab and Slabworks. If the "2-10 Home Buyer's Warranty" program is applied, there are addional process and inspections.

DESIGN FLEXIBILITY:
Can bell-piers be avoided? Is there an advantage to reducing ground water around the slab footprint? Is a slab-on-grade adequate or would a crawl space foundation be preferred? Should it be steel rebar reinforced or post-tension cable reinforced? Should the slab be elevated on clean fill? If a crawl space foundation is used is their any need or advantage to designing it to allow placing any utilities, ducting, food/wine storage, or security purposes below it?

Before choosing a design, we can discuss all these foundation alternatives with our clients. If a geotechnical report is provided we will closely review it and if needed discuss it with the geotechnical engineering company to find the optimal solution for both performance and cost. By taking the time to gather and review this information and to answer all owner and builder questions, ECO will develop and design the best foundation solution that fits the owner's needs.