Foundations

The greatest variable and unknown to a project comes from the ground.  the ground is highly variable around England and the solutions required numerous.

On small projects the Local Geological Drift Sheets are examined to determine the ground conditions.  On larger projects and basements on site soil investigations are required.  We have close links with several Geotechnical testing firms who are used.  Bore holes and trial pits are excavated on site and the soil tested.

As one would expect we are experienced with a variety of different foundation solutions; piles, reinforced trenches retaining walls etc

Brownfield Sites 

Sites in our inner cities are being built on over previous buildings.  The ground can often be contaminate with Lead, Arsenic and Petro Carbons.  Croft Structural Engineers can commission testing of the ground to determine its composition.  Remedial designs can then be provided.

The practice has converted several sites from petro stations to residential use; probably one of the most onerous change of use.

Foundations and Trees

The south East of England is covered in many areas with London Clay.  Trees affect the clay by removing water during the summer months.  This causes shrinkage of the soil and if footings are on this shrunken clay movement occurs.

We design all our footings to comply with the NHBC Guide lines for footings near trees.

Party Walls Matters

On the tight city sites it is crucial that your neighbours are considered.  Works to foundations, if incorrectly carried out, can cause settlement to adjacent properties.  Croft Structural Engineer's Design ensure that the neighbouring property are either stabilise or the choice of foundation altered to meet with the Party Wall Surveyors agreements.