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Buying A House or Land? | Ask About Ground Discontinuities
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What Are Ground Discontinuities?
A ground discontinuity can be understood as a break in the continuous structure (texture) of rock and/or soil. Within the specifics of buying or building a house, ground discontinuities in their general length & width at microscopic and macroscopic scales, are highly relevant for foundation design to say the least.
Within the confines of the construction of housing in earthquake-prone areas as example, rock and soil discontinuities can be identified as cracks of varying thickness within bedrock. It is important to note however that while ground discontinuities such as joints are typically indicative of earthquake activity, and/or earthquake zones, this does not have to always be the case.
Why It’s Important To Ask about Ground Discontinuities When Buying a House or Land
Simply: to strengthen the safeguard of your investment in that housing project. With the demand for housing high, this is and is expected to continue to be (for years to come), a driver of housing construction across many jurisdictions.
Using Jamaica as an example:
Given that Jamaica sits within an active earthquake zone; as well as has a highly diverse geology with engineering properties related to the geology, This means that the chances are high that a high percentage of housing developments (new not so new) in their location, are situated in areas with ground discontinuity.
Geology & Seismology of the Housing Site & Close Vicinity: Key For Ground Discontinuity Classification & Foundation Design
The nature of ground discontinuities in their presence or the lack thereof, and size as examples, are directly linked to the geology (surface & sub-surface) of the site. Lithology, soil grain size, and the geologic history of the site and surrounding area are just some of the many core applications of Geology in the safe construction of housing projects.
Seismology (earthquake geophysics), in respect of active faults and their location; return intervals of earthquakes; size and focal depths of epicenters & hypocenters; are significant contributors to the location and nature (size, depth, frequency per square meters in scale as example…) of ground discontinuities of a site of interest. On the basis of a fault zone being known, the ground discontinuity can be referred to as a fracture or fault.
Ground Discontinuities Covered By Soil
It is important to note that ground discontinuities does not have to be apparent as cracks on or near the surface, as well as within range of the housing foundation. They can be covered by soil (think cavities like sinkholes). which can be soft and/or hardened. This is where specialized equipment such as ground penetrating radar can be useful in helping the geotechnical & overall engineer team plan their designs for the foundation and overall construction project.
Read Related: Sinkhole on Construction Site
Closing Remarks
Ground discontinuities are natural and artificial breaks in the area of interest of the ground (housing development/project). The nature of ground discontinuities (natural) are heavily linked to the geology & seismology of the site and nearby area(s). The reality of Jamaica existing within an active earthquake zone for example, have a wide range in its geology, and has a high demand for housing, means there is a high chance of houses existing within zones of ground discontinuities. It is within your right as a homeowner, to request information from your project engineer, or other professional with seniority of the project, to:
- Advise you of the nature of ground discontinuities beneath the foundation of your home, and/or property.
- Advise you of the engineering mitigative measures in place to minimize damage to your house within defined timelines.
