Basement
A basement refers to any floor level below the first story in a building that is partly or completely below the exterior grade plane with at least one-half of its floor-to-ceiling height above curb level or above the average natural grade. The space can be utilised in the form of carparks, plant rooms and workshops, or storage, residential, retail and or office areas. As an underground structure, it is susceptible to ground water ingress and external hydrostatic pressure, and subject to a rapid degree of deterioration compared to other building components since it is directly exposed to the surrounding soil conditions. The utmost major problem in basements is the failure to attain watertightness, though water seepage defects are common basement problems. Defects usually surface at a later stage due to changes in environmental conditions such as rising ground water, sump effect of excavation, differential settlement, etc. The correct design, construction and maintenance practices for basements will help inhibit prevalent defects while ensuring efficient buildings with high maintainability.
