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<br />ELEVATION <br /> <br />One of the most common of all retrofitting techniques is to raise an entire existing super- <br />structure above the desired flood protection elevation, When properly done, the elevation <br />of a house places the living area above all but the most severe floods, <br /> <br />In general, the steps required for elevating a building are essentially the same in all cases. <br />A cradle of steel beams is inserted IIDder (or through) the structure; jacks are used to raise <br />both the beams and structure to the desired height; a new, elevated fOlIDdation for the <br />house is constructed; utility systems are extended and modified; and the structure is <br />lowered back onto the new fOlIDdation and reconnected, <br /> <br />While the same basic elevation techniques are used in all situations, the final siting and <br />appearance of the house will depend on the final elevation and type offolIDdation used, <br />However, the actual elevation process is only a small part of the whole operation in terms <br />of planning, time, and expense. The most critical steps involve the preparation of the <br />house for elevation and the construction of a new, adequately elevated fOlIDdation. The <br />elevation process becomes even more complex with added weight, height, or complex <br />design or shape of the house, Brick or stucco veneers may require removal prior to <br />elevation, Building additions may need to be elevated independently from the main struc- <br />ture, <br /> <br />TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES THAT CAN BE <br />ELEVATED <br /> <br />,..tf' <br /> <br />Figures VI-E1 through VI-E5 <br />illustrate the elevation of a home <br />on extended solid foundation <br />walls, Subsequent figures for <br />various elevation techniques will <br />include only those illustrations <br />unique to that technique, <br /> <br />The elevation of houses over a crawlspace; houses with <br />basements; houses on piles, piers, or columns; and houses <br />on a slab-on-grade are examined here, In each of these <br />situations, the designer must acCOlIDt for multiple (non- <br />flood-related) hazards, such as wind and seismic forces. The <br />various methods utilized to elevate different home types are <br />illustrated in the pages that follow, providing the designer with <br />an introduction to the design of these measures, <br /> <br />VI - E.1 <br /> <br />Engineering Principles and Practices of Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures <br />January 1995 <br />