Bored pier subsidence, would you trust this structural engineer?

My new home and property  inspection expert Nicholas has come across this situation:

  1. New home was constructed on “P”class site (P stands for problem site, usually excessive fill and drainage problems)
  2. Slab edges supported on bored piers have subsided
  3. Builder’s structural engineer has reported:

As shown on drawing number 1, settlement has occurred at the location of the bored piers. In the writer’s opinion, some piers have settled and thus the footings have lowered. It is thought that the pier excavations were not cleaned out adequately. Compression of loose material at the base of the piers has caused localised settlement when the load has increased. This is thought to have occurred when the brickwork was near completion.

and

4. CONCLUSIONS

  1. 4.01  The distress to the structure is caused by the settlement of some of the bored concrete piers along the Northwest side of the house.
  2. 4.02  The articulation joints along the north western side of the residence are working as designed however, there is some restriction coming from the mortar in the laundry door sill (left hand side).
  3. 4.03  Further movement is unlikely, as the majority of settlement has already occurred at the loaded areas.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. 5.01  An epoxy may be used to repair and broken or spalling bricks.
  2. 5.02  Ensure that the articulation joint continues through the laundry door brick wall. All mortarshall be cleaned out and the joint re-caulked
  3. 5.03  Monitoring of the internal floor levels is recommended in order to check for any minor movements.

We trust the foregoing is suitable for your consideration in this matter.(suitable for who? The builder?)

I have three things to say about the engineer.

Firstly he does not consider the prospect of poor site drainage management causing or contributing to the subsidence.

Secondly he recommended no rectification work (would he be happy with subsided slab on his own home?, would the builder have that on his own home?).

Thirdly, the engineer is an interested party because he gets substantial work from this top tier builder, therefore cannot be considered impartial. Would you trust him?

If you have just paid several hundred thousand dollars for your new home what would you think? It’s mind boggling but it happens all the time.

The owner wanted to know if he can rely on the above report.

Expert Nicholas has recommended that the owner appoints independent engineer for unbiased report.

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