Performance Evaluation of Slab-on-Ground, Part 1 of 2 (DC10.8)-Performance Evaluation of Slab-on-Ground, Part 1 of 2 (DC10.8)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Post-Tension Institute hosted a comprehensive October webinar focused on slab-on-ground foundation performance evaluation, led by expert Homer Parker with over 40 years in engineering and 25 years with the PTI. Due to the topic's depth, the presentation was split into two parts, with the second scheduled for January. The webinar emphasized the importance of understanding foundation distress types—cosmetic, functional, and structural—highlighting their impacts on building performance. It also provided an overview of evaluating soil types, especially expansive soils, and their effects on foundation movement caused by moisture variations, soil properties, and external factors like trees and drainage.<br /><br />Homer stressed utilizing resources such as the USDA Web Soil Survey for geotechnical data, topographic maps, and historical aerial imagery (Google Earth) to analyze site conditions and soil behavior. Data acquisition techniques including elevation measurements, distress inventory mapping, and plumbing inspections were discussed as essential diagnostic tools. The presentation underscored challenges like missing original construction data and the influence of built-in construction tolerances on data interpretation.<br /><br />The session concluded with a reminder of the adaptive, problem-solving nature of foundation performance evaluation. Additional in-depth design seminars and continuing education credits are available through the PTI, with future webinars scheduled on AI in the post-tension industry (November), structural repair (December), and continuation of foundation evaluation (January). The webinar recording and resources remain accessible online for ongoing learning.

Keywords

Post-Tension Institute

slab-on-ground foundation

foundation performance evaluation

Homer Parker

foundation distress types

expansive soils

USDA Web Soil Survey

geotechnical data

foundation movement causes

foundation diagnostic tools