Heat created by underground structures is increasing the risk of damage to buildings, recent studies have found.
Basements, train tunnels, sewers, and other underground systems are making the ground around them warmer, which causes soil, sand, clay and silt to shift, settle, contract, and expand, according to an insurance executive quoted in a Business Insurance report. As a result, foundations are suffering damage.
Underground elements in the built environment can heat the ground between the surface and bedrock by as much as 27 F. Building owners should have their buildings inspected regularly and carefully analyze their insurance policies to find out how much coverage is provided for this issue.
The executive warns owners to beware of exclusions, exceptions, and endorsements that might impact their policies.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Oct 19, 2021
Achieving resiliency through integrated design
Planning for and responding to the effects of adverse shocks and stresses is typically what architects and engineers have always thought of as good standard design practices.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Resiliency | Aug 4, 2021
A new team forms to assess climate change’s effects on the built environment
Arup and First Street Foundation are using extensive datasets to develop risk-mitigating resilience solutions.
Resiliency | Jul 15, 2021
A new report urges federal investment in healthier buildings
The National Institute of Building Sciences also calls for code changes and greater cooperation between building owners and the AEC community.
![Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]](/sites/default/files/styles/list_big/public/Oceanographer%20John%20Englander%20Talks%20Resiliency%20and%20Buildings%20YT%20new_0.jpg?itok=enJ1TWJ8 "Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]")
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
High-rise Construction | May 27, 2021
The anti-high rise: Seattle's The Net by NBBJ
In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Ryan Mullenix, Design Partner with NBBJ, talks with BD+C's John Caulfield about a new building in Seattle called The Net that promotes wellness and connectivity.
Resiliency | Mar 2, 2021
Elizabeth River Project's Resilience Lab set to break ground this year
Work Program Architects is designing the project.
Codes and Standards | Dec 9, 2020
Investors want building resiliency plans and risk mitigation practices
Owners should assess risk, insurance coverage, and ability to withstand disasters.
Resiliency | Nov 5, 2020
CRE investors are concerned that cities aren’t resilient enough for climate change
A new ULI-Heitman report states that the biggest challenge to valuation is measuring urban risk mitigation.
