There are many causes of ground movement, but underpinning is not always necessary or desirable. This course relates to traditional Georgian, Victorian and 20th Century low and medium-rise buildings and will cover:

• Foundation types - shallow footings, cellars, rafts and piles.
• Soil behaviour - rocks, gravel and sand, clay, silt, peat and made ground.
• Causes of ground movement - trees, building alterations, drains, excavations and tunnelling.
• Symptoms to look for - cracks, bumps and bulges.
• Movement monitoring - tell tales, precise levels, inclinometers and holographic prisms.
• Physical investigations - trial pits, boreholes, soil and drain tests.
• Remedies - superstructure repairs, underpinning, compensation grouting and jacking.
• Underpinning types - traditional hit and miss, ground beams, piled rafts and basement boxes.
• Property interests - owner/occupier, insurer, loss adjuster, loss assessor and adjoining owners.