Advantages and disadvantages

Basement can be classified into 2 categories which is deep basement and shallow
basement. When a basement is more than 4.5m, it consider as deep foundation and vice
versa. Basement are common in tall building as carpark, storage of services and
underground shopping centre. Basement wall acts an important character in the
structure and it can be made of different method with different material. It is important
to carry out preliminary analysis for selection of best wall and support system to select
the most suitable design in order to produce good quality basement with minimum cost.

1. Sheet pile wall

Advantages:
a. Ability to retain ground with free water condition but the interlock is not
always water tight. Therefore, expensive caulking may be needed.
b. Satisfactory material for use in cantilever support method.
c. Convenient to use due to their resistance of the high driving stress developed
when driven into hard soil.
d. Light weight and reusable.
Disadvantages:
a. High cost of driving for area covered
b. Noise during driving process
c. Material, driving and extraction of plant is more expensive than of use in H-
piling
2. Contiguous bored pile wall

Advantages:
a. Lower cost and speed in construction for temporary or permanent wall
where drilling conditions are conducive.
b. The system is higher capacity to overcome obstruction such as rocks when
compared to other system.
Disadvantages:
a. Additional works are needed to form an acceptable surface to the wall.
b. It is lack of water tightness
3. Secant pile wall

Advantages:
a. Increased construction alignment flexibility.
b. Increase wall stiffness compared to sheet piles.
c. Can be installed in difficult ground (boulders).
d. Less noise construction.
Disadvantages:
a. Verticality tolerances may be hard to achieve for deep piles.
b. Total waterproofing is very difficult to obtain joints.
c. Higher cost compare to sheet pile walls.

4. Diaphragm wall

Advantages:
a. Final wall can be designed and constructed as the required structural wall
 b. Suitable for sites where obstructions in the ground prevent sheet piles from
being driven and where the occurrence of ground water is unfavourable for
other methods of support.
c. Overall is economical for constructing basement.
Disadvantages:
a. Not suitable for highly collapsible soil during trenching.

Besides classified by wall of basement, basement also can be classified by construction

method. Top down construction method and open cut construction method are
examples that widely applied.

Top down construction

Advantages:
1. The shortened construction period due to simultaneous construction of the basement and
the superstructure.
2. More operational space gained from the advanced construction of floor slabs.
3. The higher stiffness of floor slab compare to steel struts improves the safety of excavation.
4. It is highly suitable for construction for tall buildings with deep basements to be
constructed in urban areas.
Disadvantages:
1. Higher cost (due to the construction of pile foundation)
2. Since the construction period of the basement is lengthened, the lateral displacement of
retaining wall or ground settlement may possible increase due to the influence of creep if the
soil layers are encountered.
3. The construction quality may influence because of worsened ventilation and illumination
under floor slab.
4. It requires highly skilled supervision and labour force.

Open cut construction

Advantage:
1. Allows continuous excavation, laying and backfilling operations.
2. Minor breakdowns usually do not cause delays to all activities.
3. The open trench needs only the design of the cut bank slope.
4. Because there are no additional support operations and equipment, it is the economical
choice.
5. The open trench provides easy access to the work because equipment and construction
materials are minimized.
6. The open cut method is suitable for most ground conditions, except for oozing mud (soft
mud or slime) and running sands
Disadvantage:
1. The slope of the bank requires more excavation and backfill volume than the other options.
2. The only bank support is the strength of the soil. If drying, flooding, or change of soil
properties weakens the soil, then sloughing and collapse can happen with little or no warning.
3. The sloped banks require a wider work area.
4. The bank slopes may force the use of larger equipment because the distance to reach into
the trench is increased and a greater volume of soil must be excavated and backfilled.

Ventilation system of basement

Basements lay below ground level, moisture from the earth will pass through the floor
and walls and further damage the structure. Cold moisture collides with the warmer
basement air causes condensation occurs. Excessive of condensation creates a musty, sour
smell and, if the water stagnate in the structure and not able to flow out for a long period
this will produces a breeding ground for mould and mildew spores. Some moulds are
toxic and will cause damage to the health of the home's occupants. The reports that
certain types of mould, particularly black mould, can aggravate or cause allergic
reactions, asthma attacks and symptoms of influenza. The Environmental Protection
Agency recommends that ventilate the basement is necessary. A constant influx of clean,
fresh air inhibits mould and mildew growth. The movement of moisture upward through
permeable building materials by capillary action. It becomes a problem if the moisture
penetrates vulnerable materials or finishes, particularly in the occupied parts of a
building. This moisture will dissolve soluble salts from the building materials such as
calcium sulphate, and may also carry soluble salts from its source and will further
disintegrate basement structure.
There are two basic methods for basement ventilation: natural and mechanical,
1. Natural ventilation system

Natural ventilation makes use of natural air currents, but this type of ventilation works
only for basements with windows that are strategically placed and able to open and close.
While the natural method conserves energy, it does require more work. Windows must be
opened at regular intervals and closed during times of rainfall or at night to prevent
intruders from entering the basement. For best results, windows should be opposite each
other across the basement space, following the natural drafts of the basement. A wet
basement needs additional ventilation, such as fans or a dehumidifier. If the basement is
continuously wet, the natural method is most likely insufficient and a more mechanical
system may be required.
2. Mechanical ventilation system
Mechanical ventilation uses fans and vents to exhaust existing basement air and bring in
fresh, outdoor air. This type of system may be as simple as placing small window fans in
opposite windows or as technical as installing an exhaust fan with ventilation pipe. Many
people choose for a mechanical ventilation because of the great flexibility and automation
it provides. Mechanical ventilation is a requirement for homes testing positive for radon,
an odourless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Reference:
http://constructionduniya1.blogspot.my/2012/02/top-down-construction.html
http://docshare01.docshare.tips/files/25957/259573946.pdf
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/ventilate-basement-20628.html
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/risingdamp/risingdamp.htm