info@gerb.com
Settlement Adjustment
When the Ground Begins to Settle…
Cracks in the walls, doors and windows that no longer close properly, damage to the foundation – in many cases, these are visible signs of ground settlement beneath a building. As the soil subsides and loses bearing capacity, stresses develop within the structure, often manifesting as cracks in the foundation and masonry. If left unaddressed, such damage can threaten the structural integrity of a building and, in severe cases, render it unusable.
The Causes of Settlement are Diverse:
- Fluctuations in the groundwater table
- Soil erosion
- Mining activity
- Seismic vibrations
- Suffosion triggered by groundwater flow
Clay-rich soils are especially prone to settlement, behaving much like a sponge – shrinking during prolonged dry periods and swelling during heavy rainfall or flooding. These volume changes in the subsoil cause significant stress on the structure above.
With climate change driving more frequent extreme weather events, the risk of settlement damage to buildings is only expected to increase in the future.
Proven Protection Against Settlement Damage with GERB solutions
From private homes and office buildings to schools and churches – GERB’s spring elements have been protecting structures from settlement damage for decades. Based on a simple yet highly effective principle, our technology has been refined by our engineers into a reliable, sustainable solution.
To compensate for vertical ground movements, a building is partially or entirely placed on spring elements that act as active compensation devices. When the soil settles, the springs immediately respond by adjusting their height to the new conditions. This ensures that the support provided by the subsoil is not entirely lost. In the event of more significant settlement, the height of the spring elements can be easily adjusted using compensation plates. Since settlement processes are typically slow, such adjustments are rarely required at short intervals.
GERB’s technology offers a safe and effective solution for both new construction and retrofit projects. Key prerequisites are a rigid sub-foundation and sufficient stiffness of the building itself. The spring elements are either integrated into the basement walls or mounted on an additional foundation layer.
In cases where buildings have already settled, GERB’s system also allows for lifting the structure back to its original level. Beyond vertical ground movement, the springs can also absorb horizontal displacements, offering comprehensive protection.
Did you know?
More than half of all single-family homes in France are built on clay-rich soils, making them particularly vulnerable to damage from clay shrinkage and swelling—known as Retrait-Gonflement des Argiles (RGA). This phenomenon is officially recognized within the framework of the French Cat-Nat (Catastrophes Naturelles) insurance scheme.
If significant structural damage occurs as a result of RGA, the event may be declared a natural disaster. In such cases, homeowners may receive compensation from their insurers—provided they hold specific coverage for this type of risk.
While this is a France-specific policy framework, it reflects a growing awareness of the increasing risks posed by soil-related structural damage, particularly in the context of climate change. Even in countries without a formal disaster compensation system, ground settlement can lead to substantial repair costs. Proactive consideration of this issue—during planning, construction, or retrofitting—can help prevent long-term damage and financial loss.
Why choose GERB..
Sustainable and environmentally friendly solution
Compensates for both settlement and uplift
Ideal for both new buildings and retrofits
Balances vertical and horizontal ground movements
Independent of soil type or ground conditions
Enables lifting of already settled structures
Backed by decades of engineering expertise and proven performance
Retrofit of a villa in Shanghai
In the following video, you can see the process of retrofitting pre-stressable spring elements. In this case, the retrofit was carried out to achieve vibration isolation. The process is identical when using spring elements to compensate for settlement.
Share this post
Further Resources
You need further information on this topic?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your individual question.
One of our project engineers will get back to you shortly.
Settlement Adjustment
When the Ground Begins to Settle…
Cracks in the walls, doors and windows that no longer close properly, damage to the foundation – in many cases, these are visible signs of ground settlement beneath a building. As the soil subsides and loses bearing capacity, stresses develop within the structure, often manifesting as cracks in the foundation and masonry. If left unaddressed, such damage can threaten the structural integrity of a building and, in severe cases, render it unusable.
Settlement Adjustment
When the Ground Begins to Settle…
Cracks in the walls, doors and windows that no longer close properly, damage to the foundation – in many cases, these are visible signs of ground settlement beneath a building. As the soil subsides and loses bearing capacity, stresses develop within the structure, often manifesting as cracks in the foundation and masonry. If left unaddressed, such damage can threaten the structural integrity of a building and, in severe cases, render it unusable.
The Causes of Settlement are Diverse:
- Fluctuations in the groundwater table
- Soil erosion
- Mining activity
- Seismic vibrations
- Suffosion triggered by groundwater flow
Clay-rich soils are especially prone to settlement, behaving much like a sponge – shrinking during prolonged dry periods and swelling during heavy rainfall or flooding. These volume changes in the subsoil cause significant stress on the structure above.
With climate change driving more frequent extreme weather events, the risk of settlement damage to buildings is only expected to increase in the future.
The Causes of Settlement are Diverse:
- Fluctuations in the groundwater table
- Soil erosion
- Mining activity
- Seismic vibrations
- Suffosion triggered by groundwater flow
Clay-rich soils are especially prone to settlement, behaving much like a sponge – shrinking during prolonged dry periods and swelling during heavy rainfall or flooding. These volume changes in the subsoil cause significant stress on the structure above.
With climate change driving more frequent extreme weather events, the risk of settlement damage to buildings is only expected to increase in the future.
Proven Protection Against Settlement Damage with GERB solutions
From private homes and office buildings to schools and churches – GERB’s spring elements have been protecting structures from settlement damage for decades. Based on a simple yet highly effective principle, our technology has been refined by our engineers into a reliable, sustainable solution.
To compensate for vertical ground movements, a building is partially or entirely placed on spring elements that act as active compensation devices. When the soil settles, the springs immediately respond by adjusting their height to the new conditions. This ensures that the support provided by the subsoil is not entirely lost. In the event of more significant settlement, the height of the spring elements can be easily adjusted using compensation plates. Since settlement processes are typically slow, such adjustments are rarely required at short intervals.
GERB’s technology offers a safe and effective solution for both new construction and retrofit projects. Key prerequisites are a rigid sub-foundation and sufficient stiffness of the building itself. The spring elements are either integrated into the basement walls or mounted on an additional foundation layer.
In cases where buildings have already settled, GERB’s system also allows for lifting the structure back to its original level. Beyond vertical ground movement, the springs can also absorb horizontal displacements, offering comprehensive protection.
Did you know?
More than half of all single-family homes in France are built on clay-rich soils, making them particularly vulnerable to damage from clay shrinkage and swelling—known as Retrait-Gonflement des Argiles (RGA). This phenomenon is officially recognized within the framework of the French Cat-Nat (Catastrophes Naturelles) insurance scheme.
If significant structural damage occurs as a result of RGA, the event may be declared a natural disaster. In such cases, homeowners may receive compensation from their insurers—provided they hold specific coverage for this type of risk.
While this is a France-specific policy framework, it reflects a growing awareness of the increasing risks posed by soil-related structural damage, particularly in the context of climate change. Even in countries without a formal disaster compensation system, ground settlement can lead to substantial repair costs. Proactive consideration of this issue—during planning, construction, or retrofitting—can help prevent long-term damage and financial loss.
Why choose GERB..
Sustainable and environmentally friendly solution
Compensates for both settlement and uplift
Ideal for both new buildings and retrofits
Balances vertical and horizontal ground movements
Independent of soil type or ground conditions
Enables lifting of already settled structures
Backed by decades of engineering expertise and proven performance
Retrofit of a villa in Shanghai
In the following video, you can see the process of retrofitting pre-stressable spring elements. In this case, the retrofit was carried out to achieve vibration isolation. The process is identical when using spring elements to compensate for settlement.
Proven Protection Against Settlement Damage with GERB solutions
From private homes and office buildings to schools and churches – GERB’s spring elements have been protecting structures from settlement damage for decades. Based on a simple yet highly effective principle, our technology has been refined by our engineers into a reliable, sustainable solution.
To compensate for vertical ground movements, a building is partially or entirely placed on spring elements that act as active compensation devices. When the soil settles, the springs immediately respond by adjusting their height to the new conditions. This ensures that the support provided by the subsoil is not entirely lost. In the event of more significant settlement, the height of the spring elements can be easily adjusted using compensation plates. Since settlement processes are typically slow, such adjustments are rarely required at short intervals.
GERB’s technology offers a safe and effective solution for both new construction and retrofit projects. Key prerequisites are a rigid sub-foundation and sufficient stiffness of the building itself. The spring elements are either integrated into the basement walls or mounted on an additional foundation layer.
In cases where buildings have already settled, GERB’s system also allows for lifting the structure back to its original level. Beyond vertical ground movement, the springs can also absorb horizontal displacements, offering comprehensive protection.
Did you know?
More than half of all single-family homes in France are built on clay-rich soils, making them particularly vulnerable to damage from clay shrinkage and swelling—known as Retrait-Gonflement des Argiles (RGA). This phenomenon is officially recognized within the framework of the French Cat-Nat (Catastrophes Naturelles) insurance scheme.
If significant structural damage occurs as a result of RGA, the event may be declared a natural disaster. In such cases, homeowners may receive compensation from their insurers—provided they hold specific coverage for this type of risk.
While this is a France-specific policy framework, it reflects a growing awareness of the increasing risks posed by soil-related structural damage, particularly in the context of climate change. Even in countries without a formal disaster compensation system, ground settlement can lead to substantial repair costs. Proactive consideration of this issue—during planning, construction, or retrofitting—can help prevent long-term damage and financial loss.
Why choose GERB..
Sustainable and environmentally friendly solution
Compensates for both settlement and uplift
Ideal for both new buildings and retrofits
Balances vertical and horizontal ground movements
Independent of soil type or ground conditions
Enables lifting of already settled structures
Backed by decades of engineering expertise and proven performance
Retrofit of a villa in Shanghai
In the following video, you can see the process of retrofitting pre-stressable spring elements. In this case, the retrofit was carried out to achieve vibration isolation. The process is identical when using spring elements to compensate for settlement.
Share this post
Share this post
Further Resources
You need further information on this topic?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your individual question.
One of our project engineers will get back to you shortly.
Further Resources
You need further information on this topic?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your individual question.
One of our project engineers will get back to you shortly.