Whats this type of foundation called ?

[Sonbo]

The structure is a two story apartment. its raised floor so I don't think its on footers, would it be called a pier ?

Also what would you call it when it fails or sinks ?

[Sacramento Dave]

The advantage of Piers over a footers is with footers you need more square Feetage of concrete. When it fails it is called expensive

[ameijers]

????? We can't see it from here. Anything built in last 70 years probably has a foundation of some sort, even if it is only the footings for the piers holding up the structure. I haven't seen any 'sleeper' foundations newer than 1920 or so. Pier-type construction was pretty common down south in old days due to termites and high water table. If structure is over a crawlspace, and has grates around the outside, that is usually pier construction. If the bottom edge of the outside is concrete, stone, or brick, it is a conventional foundation, but could be a dressed-up pier system. Only way to tell is crawl under there with a light. What do you call it when it fails or sinks? Lots of nasty words, usually. But unless it is a sinkole, pier foundations are usually repairable, assuming the floor system above is solid. Just a matter of temporary jacks and timbers, digging a hole, pouring a proper footing, and building back a new pier at the correct height. Nasty miserable work if the crawlspace is shallow, since it is usually all hand work. Look for 'foundation repair' in the yellow pages- there are companies that specialize in this, and have all the proper tools and experience. Estimates are often free.

aem sends....