Subsidence Map of China

What is Settlement?

Settlement refers to the phenomenon of the foundation of a building or structure moving downward. In most cases, settlement occurs due to changes in the underlying soil conditions. Sometimes, it is also associated with the uplift or upward movement of the original terrain. If a foundation is built on a slope, it may be damaged as the foundation slowly slides downward.

However, this is just one possible factor. Larger trees and vegetation, water damage, and the type of soil beneath the foundation can also be factors contributing to settlement.

Of course, settlement issues need to be addressed promptly, as they can lead to more serious problems over time. Geobear (formerly Uretek) provides powerful settlement solutions for all structures or infrastructure, restoring them to their original state.

Settlement is not the cause but the result of 'sedimentation' or 'consolidation.' The weight on the floor or foundation can cause it to sink or naturally compact the ground. In this regard, we can also provide perfect solutions.

What are the causes of settlement?

For homeowners, a serious challenge is that ground settlement can occur anywhere, and its causes are diverse. Potential homebuyers should be aware of the possible reasons for settlement to avoid such issues in the future.

Soil Composition

Settlement often relates to the moisture content of the soil beneath the foundation. Certain types of soil are more susceptible than others.

Sticky soils like clay and silt are particularly vulnerable because they shrink and expand with changes in moisture levels. This means that weather can have a significant impact on the composition of sticky soils. Clay is widespread in England and Wales, so this issue affects many people.

Non-cohesive soils like sand and gravel are less prone to shrinkage and expansion, but they are more susceptible to erosion by water flow (e.g., when pipes are damaged).

Take a look at our Chinese settlement map to see which areas are most affected by settlement.

Trees and Other Vegetation

While trees or shrubs near your home or workplace can enhance its landscape, they can also cause settlement. One reason is that the roots of vegetation near the foundation absorb moisture from the soil, causing it to shrink. This risk is greater during extended dry periods when thirsty plants seek water sources and may penetrate through the foundation of buildings.

Human Factors

Settlement is not only caused by natural phenomena but also influenced by some human factors. Water leaking from damaged sewer pipes, for instance, can soften and even wash away underground soil, leading to ground movement and affecting buildings. This issue typically impacts sandy soils and gravelly soils.

Mining is another cause of settlement. Areas with intensive coal mining activities often have open areas underground that can lead to settlement.

Nearby transportation and construction work can also cause significant vibrations to spread, resulting in soil movement and settling.

Common Causes of Settlement Summarized

• -Buildings or structures constructed on compressible clay

• -Soil beneath buildings/structures not properly compacted during construction

• -Water damage weakening the supporting soil and foundation

• -Movement in different soil layers beneath the foundation

• -Excavation work nearby causing soil vibration and displacement

• -Vibration caused by passing vehicles

• -Incomplete/poor-quality foundation construction

• -Changes in environmental or surrounding conditions

• -Natural decomposition of soil, such as peat

• -Growth of vegetation - oak, willow, and poplar trees can absorb significant amounts of moisture from the soil

  
  

Identifying Settlement in Buildings

A major indicator of building settlement is the appearance of cracks in walls or sinking of floors. Settlement-induced cracks typically have diagonal shapes and can suddenly appear on the plaster inside the building and the brickwork outside. Due to the natural movement of building structures, settlement cracks are usually thicker than fine hairline cracks and often widen at the top.

Sinking floors caused by settlement are also easily noticeable, and you can see gaps around the floor - or cracks and uneven surfaces.

You can also check for signs of settlement in vulnerable areas of the building, such as doors and windows. You may find that doors and windows can become difficult to open or close due to the movement of the building. Settlement cracks at the junction of extension parts with the main building are also common, indicating that the extension is separating from the main building. In such cases, we can inject geopolymer material to stabilize it, prevent further movement, and in some cases, lift it to the desired position.

Costs of Settlement

Settlement of your home or building can be a significant problem that comes with high costs.

Aesthetic Impact

Large cracks on your walls, peeling plaster, wallpaper seams splitting, brickwork displacing, and more are all reasons for your home or business to look run-down and unappealing due to settlement. This not only makes the building look very poor but also results in a decrease in the value of your property, especially when you intend to sell it, which is a significant decrease in value.

Consequences of Settlement

Apart from the threat to the appearance of the property, if settlement is not properly addressed, you may face various inconveniences, problems, and disasters.

As the building distorts, doors and windows at weak points may become stiff or jam. Pipes and wires are also at risk from sinking and moving walls. For homes, this can be frustrating and uncomfortable, while for businesses, some parts of the building may become unusable, leading to financial losses. If you notice issues with pipes or lighting, you may also find they are signs of ground settlement.

The extreme side of potential problems is significant structural damage to your building. If you start noticing significant structural damage, health and safety become your biggest concern. For homes, the safety of you and your family is at risk, and for businesses, the safety of employees, customers, clients, and the public is also at risk.

Economic Impact

Structural damage to buildings, their wiring, and pipes can result in significant financial costs. However, hiring Geobear to correct ground settlement problems can prevent the occurrence of costly repair bills.

Feel free to call us to discuss your concerns. We can provide a reference price or arrange a free on-site inspection to assess the extent of settlement.

Settlement Correction

The principle of our solution is to inject expansive geopolymer material beneath your building. The material is pumped into the soil as a liquid and expands underground. As it expands in volume, the geopolymer can fill voids in the soil, force out moisture, and compact the soil, creating a solid and stable foundation beneath your foundation or floor.

The material spreads through the strata, advancing along the path of least resistance until it can no longer move; at this point, the expansive force created by the material begins to lift the foundation of your building. We control this process using laser monitors. The monitors record small movements above the injection point of 0.25mm. If the ground stabilizes, the injection process stops at that injection point and moves on to the next injection point - typically about 1.5 meters apart to ensure even distribution of the material in the problem area of your building.

The material we use does not degrade. It's a permanent solution that can rival concrete but with a faster and cleaner process of injecting our geopolymer into the affected area. In comparison

Contact Us

Settlement is a daunting issue, but Geobear's team is ready to assist you at any time. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Feel free to call us to discuss the issues with your factory or home, and our team will visit your premises to assess the related problems and propose suitable solutions.

For more information or to arrange an on-site inspection, please contact us 400-1000-286.