Structural Integrity of Residential Houses

Structural Integrity of Residential Houses presents five complete, field-based engineering case studies that demonstrate exactly how structural engineers evaluate, analyze, document, and report on existing residential structures. Each chapter is organized as a standalone professional engineering engagement, covering the full workflow from initial field inspection through formal engineering conclusions.

The five use cases address the most common — and most challenging — situations in residential structural practice:

• Pre-purchase evaluation of a house with minor concrete shrinkage and drywall cracking
• Post-distress assessment of a 1974 residence experiencing differential foundation settlement requiring helical pier underpinning
• Post-fire structural evaluation quantifying residual member capacity and defining replacement requirements
• Post-earthquake safety screening and repair planning following a moderate-magnitude seismic event
• Structural load analysis for a major renovation involving a floor addition, bearing wall removal, and increased dead loads

Each case study integrates field observations, annotated structural drawings, step-by-step engineering calculations, code reference matrices, photo logs, repair schedules, and formal engineering conclusions. Load path verification — covering gravity, lateral, and uplift forces — is central to every assessment. Code references include the IBC, IRC, ASCE 7, AWC NDS, SDPWS, and ASCE/SEI 41. Two appendices provide standardized engineering report templates and a complete sample sealed engineering report.

This book is designed for structural and civil engineers transitioning into residential practice, engineering students preparing for professional licensure, and design professionals seeking a deeper understanding of how residential structural evaluations are performed, documented, and reported.