Download: Structural engineering plans can be a bit of a nightmare to get through. A whole page of notes in very small text, plans with millions of callouts, and details with a lot of arrows. How do you make sure you have the right materials for your slab on grade?  Typical slab-on-grade construction. The quality of materials and installation really matters in making sure your foundation has the right strength and stiffness to support your building, especially if your site ha

Do you suspect you have foundation issues? Here are some telltale signs that you might have a problem on your hands and may need a second set of eyes: Exterior diagonal cracks in your brick veneer Look for diagonal cracks in your masonry or brick veneer around the exterior of your house. Pay attention to the areas above doors and windows*. Also look for cracks in the middle of your home, especially if your home is narrow in one direction. *Horizontal cracks, especially above

A geotechnical report is filled with crucial information acquired from a site-specific soil study, and is used to properly design your building’s foundation. The requirements, content, and composition of the geotechnical report are governed by the building code adopted by most municipalities in Texas – the  International Building Code (IBC) . Why should you get a geotechnical report? O3 Structural Studio insists on working with a geotechnical report because of the prevalence

One of the first questions I ask when I get a request for a foundation design is – "do you have a geotechnical report?" People unfamiliar with the soils in the Brazos Valley usually respond – "do I need that?" YES YOU DO. Below are four (4) reasons why you need a site-specific geotechnical report before starting a foundation design: 1.      To find out if you have expansive soils Expansive soil is prevalent in the Brazos Valley, Houston, and in the DFW area. These clay soils