[Raxstone]

Hello! I had a basement wall reinforced a year ago because it was moving inwards. It moved so much that the i-beam actually punched through the poured concrete wall. The work was done with an engineer’s approval.

Since that time I have noticed that the i-beam moved about an inch length wise. It moved up against the top tread of a staircase and shifted one stringer about 3/4 of an inch from its previous position. The jackpost is tilted a bit but still securely anchored to the i-beam and floor.

The engineer revisited and said it shouldn’t be a concern but I don’t think he noticed that the beam is abutted against the stairs. Should I be concerned enough to have someone professional look at it? I am thinking the stairs are keeping the beam in place so not sure how secure it really is.

 

[Nealtw]

Hello! I had a basement wall reinforced a year ago because it was moving inwards. It moved so much that the i-beam actually punched through the poured concrete wall. The work was done with an engineer’s approval.

Since that time I have noticed that the i-beam moved about an inch length wise. It moved up against the top tread of a staircase and shifted one stringer about 3/4 of an inch from its previous position. The jackpost is tilted a bit but still securely anchored to the i-beam and floor.

The engineer revisited and said it shouldn’t be a concern but I don’t think he noticed that the beam is abutted against the stairs. Should I be concerned enough to have someone professional look at it? I am thinking the stairs are keeping the beam in place so not sure how secure it really is.

The engineer can be held responsible and he should have taken it more serious. To push that sideways you would need a bulldozer, the stairs won't stop it.

Watch for the first sign of the stairs moving or damage. You should take some real accurate measurements now for comparison over months, weeks or? .

 

[3onthetree]

At that time, was anything addressed outside the wall?

 

[House Designer]

Unless I'm mistaken, it sounds like the basement wall is still moving, and pushing the I-beam along with it. I can't think of anything else that could move an I-beam longitudinally. I would have the engineer address the basement wall movement and figure out why his fix didn't work. Or find a new engineer.

 

[dj3]

Yes, time to get a second opinion, your engineer's approach my be too casual.

 

[carpdad]

Also, if i beam is moving, maybe free it for now by breaking its connection or foundation ends. Can it also take the floor with it and maybe plumbing?

 

[stadry]

how was it reinforced ? exposed i-beams set into pockets in the floor & blocked against thrust blocks between the ceiling joists ? or did they use carbon fiber strips epoxied onto the conc wall ?
short side OR long side of the house ?
what i-beam & where ?
is this the main carrying beam in the basement ?
please figure out how to post some pictures
most engineers ARE licensed &, by extension, professionals