Tuya Engineering LLC

11/01/2019

With the Halloween snow storm in Chicago and the sudden change from fall to winter weather, frost heave in pavement, floor slabs, and foundations can occur. For frost heave to occur three conditions must be present: the soil must be frost-susceptible; water must be available in sufficient quantities; and cooling conditions must cause soil and water to freeze. If one of these conditions can be eliminated, frost heaving will not occur.

Water is drawn from unfrozen soil to the freezing zone where it attaches to form layers of ice, forcing soil particles apart and causing the soil surface to heave. Without physical restraint there is no apparent limit to the amount of heaving that may occur. (Movements in excess of 4 in. developing under basement floors in only three weeks have been recorded.)

If your pavement or structure is heaving or moving (i.e. cracks), contact us for cost effective solutions that won't break your budget.

A frost heave is the upward swelling of soil during freezing conditions due to the presence of ice under the soil that gradually grows towards the surface. The repetitious expanding and contractin…

06/18/2019

Foundation issues can be daunting, as a homeowner. The telltale signs can include interior and/or exterior cracking and doors that don't close properly. The first step is usually to hire a structural engineer to perform an inspection. Often, the structural engineer will recommend a geotechnical investigation, which typically includes soil borings, to identify the cause. Causes can include wet soils/improper drainage or soils that too dry (desiccation). With the wet spring and summer of 2019 in Illinois, wet clay soils or drainage is a common cause. Once the cause is identified, then we can work with the owner to come up with cost effective solution. Call or email us today to see if we can help you.

Information on concrete foundation repairs; piering, slabjacking, mudjacking and other concrete foundation repair methods. Repair home foundations and concrete floors using these tips and techniques.

10/09/2018

Construction Materials Testing (CMT) is often a critical component of success in commercial and industrial construction, but here's a few reasons why it should be included in every construction project, including residential. Homeowners and contractors alike can benefit from performing CMT. Contact Tuya Engineering for quote and to see how we can help make your next construction project a success.

Construction materials are tested to meet the quality control and assurance requirements that are within the construction plans, specifications and building codes.

09/11/2018

With Hurricane Florence aiming straight at North and South Carolina, and with the devastating hurricanes of 2017, our thoughts turn to protecting those in the hurricane's path. There are ways to improve your costal home's resistance to hurricanes, including the wind, rain and storm surge. The innovative ideas from Wisconsin are to provide pre-cast concrete homes, which are more affordable than in the past and have design flair. This design follows FEMA's guidelines for construction in a flood zone, including a pass-through first floor. Is you property in a FEMA flood zone or coastal area? Contact Tuya Engineering for help with your flood-resistant foundation design.

This 1,200-square-foot home will withstand up to 200-mile-per-hour winds.

08/09/2018

Does your project require a deep foundation? Tuya Engineering can help. We perform pressuremeter and vane shear testing for caisson, straight-shaft piers, and lateral deformation of piles or sheet piles, which is typically required in the city of Chicago and many suburbs for deep foundation design. The same equipment can also be used for cost-effective shallow foundation design, as well as settlement determination. Our eTexam pressuremeter can provide on-site, same-day results for projects with a tight deadline. Contact us today for a quote.

05/18/2018

When is the time to call a foundation specialist during your home buying or renovation process? Well, if you have cracks like the one in the photo below, that would be a good idea (*chuckle*). But, to answer the question, really goes back to the requirements to become a licensed home inspector. In the state of Illinois, to become a licensed home inspector, you need 60 hours of instruction, to complete 5 inspections under a licensed inspector, and pass the Illinois State Home Inspector's Exam. So, home inspectors may spend a couple of hours learning about structural requirements and foundations and the rest is learned on the job. To compare, a licensed Professional Engineer must have a 4-year Bachelor's degree and 4 years of engineering experience as well as pass 2 examinations (Fundamentals of Engineering and the Professional Engineering exams). So, if the structural problem or foundation problem may be integrated or complex, you may want to contact a geotechnical (special branch of civil engineering, specializing in soils and foundations) to come take a look. It will provide you with additional information before you close and leverage with the seller, if there's a problem, and information during renovations, which can minimize surprises during construction. Tuya Engineering can help you and provide an experienced set of eyes during the home buying or renovation process. Contact us to arrange a visit and breeze through your next property purchase or renovation.

When you get a home inspection, you think you're getting assurance that the house is solid, but what if the inspection itself is the problem?

03/20/2018

Cracks in concrete block or brick work can be due to freeze thaw issues, thermal expansion of the bricks (especially if the wall is facing south), desiccation (drying) of the soil, poor (fill) soils, or wet soils. The only way to find out is often to retain a geotechnical engineer, such as Tuya Engineering, to perform an investigation to determine the cause. This often involves performing soil borings and determining the depth and size of the existing foundation, as feasible. Once the cause is identified, then we can work with the owner to come up with cost effective solutions. Some solutions (such as dry soils) can be as simple as watering the lawn, but are customized to each problem. Call or email us today to see if we can help you.

Top tip: If you can squeeze the edge of a dime into the crack, get it checked

03/09/2018

Preventing water seepage in Chicago's many limestone block foundations or older brick foundations (early 1890s) can be a challenging problem for homeowners. Tuya Engineering can perform an inspection and work with the owner or client to determine the cause and come up with an economical, feasible solution that minimizes disruptions for the homeowner. We can customize a solution for you, no matter how large or small a project.

Q: Water is seeping in through several cracks in our foundation walls. How do we fix it?

01/08/2018

Foundation issues can show up anytime during a building's life, but the time to spot them is before you buy. We can help evaluate the issue(s) and come up with feasible and economic solutions.

If you suspect the home you’re buying or selling needs foundation repair, find out how to spot the most serious problems — and what actions you should take.