| [College of ACES] | [University of Illinois] | [Illinois CES] |
My Parents are having a house built and there is a large (approx. 33m)
Wellingtonia located nearby.
According to UK building regulations the depth of the building foundations
must be calculated by a structural engineer to account for (amongst
other factors) the transpiration rate of nearby trees.
I recognise that the very nature of trees is such that the computation
of such rates is at best questionable as a science. However, in the UK
the structural engineers make use of so-called standard tables from which the
foundation depths are calculated.
There is no entry on these tables for the Wellingtonia and therefore the
structural engineer is compelled to assume the 'worst case' which is
for a Poplar tree - this results in a foundation depth of more than
3 metres!
I should be most grateful if you could advise me of where I might obtain
some guidance regarding where the Wellingtonia sits on the scale of transpiration
rates in order that the structural engineer might be able to recommend
a less costly foundation structure. Ideally some reference to published and
accepted research would improve the case which would have to be made to the local
authority structural engineer.
Any assistance will be gratefully received.
Best regards for the New Year to you all
Ian Beeby
E-Mail - I.P.Beeby@nortel.co.uk