ABSTRACT
The requirement ... so as not to cause any settlement or other movement ... , if taken literally, would virtually mean that no building foundations would be acceptable, because all materials are elastic and all strain under load. Allowable settlement will be taken into account by the designer, but the supervisor must ensure that no instability occurs. For example, when excavating for footings next to an existing structure, the trenches should not be deeper than the adjoining footings as the load from the adjoining building could cause the soil to slip into the freshly dug trenches. An example of such instability was found where a pond was allowed to form where the gable end of a house was to be constructed. The gable end subsequently settled nearly 150 mm and extensive underpinning was necessary. It is not unusual for trenches to become flooded, but the real damage is caused when the water is not rapidly removed. Most specifications, therefore, require that storm, surface and subsoil water be drained away to prevent damage and nuisance.
