r/engineering • u/DMAS1638 • Jul 14 '26

Things seen this week during structural assessments!

Gallery image

Gallery image

These are the kinds of structural issues and discoveries we encounter every day. Here's a closer look.

Here is the link: https://imgur.com/a/things-seen-this-week-during-structural-assessments-Zvlxc1g

48 Upvotes

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8

u/i_am_qnsblvd Jul 14 '26

What is structural assessment? Who orders it, home owner or buyer or both? Is it mandatory in some places? I’m asking because I have some things I want to address with my house but don’t know where to start. 

9

u/DMAS1638 Jul 14 '26

A structural assessment is a closer evaluation of a home's structural components, such as the foundation, framing, retaining walls, and crawlspace, to determine if there are any structural concerns and what may be causing them. Homeowners often request one after noticing signs like cracks, sloping floors, or sticking doors, while buyers may get one if a home inspection raises concerns. They're usually not mandatory, but they can be recommended during a real estate transaction or requested by a lender or insurance company in certain situations.

2

u/DMAS1638 Jul 14 '26

If you have any other questions about what you're seeing around your home or aren't sure where to start, we're happy to help point you in the right direction.

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u/threegigs Jul 14 '26

I mean, come on... pic 1 is a cinder block retaining wall. It's not like it had much structural integrity even when first built.

1

u/DMAS1638 Jul 14 '26

You're telling me, unreinforced CMU retaining walls have their limitations. This one had definitely seen enough movement over time to lose what stability it had.

2

u/LateralThinkerer Jul 15 '26

I live in the Pacific Northwest where everything is built on old volcanoes and people are obsessed with living on hilltops and steep slopes - it all shifts over time so it's just a matter of finding where and how much it's going to cost.

1

u/DMAS1638 Jul 15 '26

The Pacific Northwest definitely keeps engineers busy. 😅 Hillsides, rainfall, and changing soils can all play a role over time. Catching movement early is usually much easier (and less expensive) than waiting until it becomes a major repair.

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2

u/Droopyboi124 Jul 16 '26

Seems interesting

1

u/DMAS1638 Jul 21 '26

Thank you! We post these every week!

2

u/Biolisty Aug 01 '26

wauuu not looks good:(

1

u/DMAS1638 Aug 03 '26

Yes, this wall had failed due to ongoing hydrostatic pressure. As the pressure increases, placing additional lateral force on the wall, which can contribute to cracking and movement over time.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26

1

u/DMAS1638 Jul 15 '26

It depends on the circumstances, but homeowners, buyers, sellers, and even real estate professionals commonly request one. We tailor the assessment based on the property's conditions and any concerns being reported.