Potential damage to residential building due to adjacent surcharge fill loading-case studies in Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Housing construction is a common construction activity and is always needed from time to time. House construction can be in the form of building new house or renovating an existing building. The impact of construction work to adjacent building or structure is something that cannot be avoided but must be minimized. The case study in this research aims to increase the awareness of all parties in construction project related to the potential damage to the surrounding buildings that may occur. This research was conducted with a case study on the construction of residential houses in Case A and Case B located in Surabaya-Indonesia. Field observations, analysis of damage causes, rectification methods and estimated cost were carried out in this study. These two case studies presented the damages analysis on residential house due to settlement which caused by adjacent surcharge fill loading. This settlement causes a differential settlement on both sides of the existing building, which had impacts on floor slope and cracks in wall. Proposed rectification works were made to restore the house to reach minimum serviceability requirement and prevent further damage in the future. The cost of repairing and retrofitting the damage existing house significantly increases the budget for a new house construction project. Therefore, careful planning in construction project considering the impact of soil settlement is needed more attention, especially in a dense urban area. Good communication and coordination between contractors and owners of neighbouring building are also needed to minimize the potential conflicts during or after construction works.