this house shakes every time a truck passes. should i be worried?

[ZippyDan]

I'm in Mexico near Mexico city visiting one of my company's offices.

Typical construction here is brick and mortar or cinder block covered with plaster.

I know Mexico City was once a giant lake, so maybe the grounds here are not very stable.

Anyway, I've experienced shaking or swaying buildings before that were perfectly safe, but only when there were multiple stories involved.

This is a very large "house", but it is only 1 story. It is right next to (a couple of meters) a average road with average traffic. Cars passing have no effect, but every time a truck passes, the whole house shudders for 1 to 2 seconds. It is more of an up and down tremble than a side to side swaying. The first time I thought it was an earthquake.

I mentioned to the manager here that that shouldn't be happening (because I've never experienced it), but I'm not really sure. Any armchair structural engineers here?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

If the house is a rockin don't bother knocking.

Seriously, the only experience I've had with this is reading about how historic houses along highways can have problems over time. How long you planning on staying?

 

[bearxor]

You're in Mexico City. You should be worried about EVERYTHING.

 

[BoomerD]

Nah. If you're in Mexico, your life is already forfeit.

Just sit back and wait.

 

[OlafSicky]

Nah. If you're in Mexico, your life is already forfeit.

Just sit back and wait.

True, It's better he get crushed by a house than to get gang rapped by drug dealers and then beheaded. Do they still have kidnappings for ransom in Mexico?

 

[Jodell88]

I wouldn't worry about it. If it was swaying then you'd have a problem.

 

[Vdubchaos]

You are in Mexico and are worried about the house shaking naturally when a heavy truck drives by few feet from the house.

You have nothing to worry about when it comes to shaking, vibration travels thru the ground (think of it as tank going by, shit will shake).

HOWEVER, you should probably be worried about WHOLE bunch of other shit.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

True, It's better he get crushed by a house than to get gang rapped by drug dealers and then beheaded. Do they still have kidnappings for ransom in Mexico?

Do all drug dealers there provide the rapping service prior to beheadings? I'll tell ya service with a smile is so rare these days.....but to have a bad slim shady impression with an accent is just too much.

What is the going rate for a kidnapped, wrapped, beheaded loved one?

 

[purbeast0]

my house shakes every time i watch a movie, should i be worried?

 

[Cheesemoo]

One of my civil engineering professors worked in Mexico City for some years, always would speak about how bad foundations were in that area. There was the story of that one government building that started sinking and didnt stop until the whole first story was underground. So they just lowered the parking lot and surrounding areas.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

One of my civil engineering professors worked in Mexico City for some years, always would speak about how bad foundations were in that area. There was the story of that one government building that started sinking and didnt stop until the whole first story was underground. So they just lowered the parking lot and surrounding areas.

If it aint broke dont fix it mkay essay?

 

[inf1nity]

this thread reminds me of se7en..

 

[ZippyDan]

thanks guys, you have been really helpful ... I think

Anyway, I've never experienced a house shaking every time a truck went by, and I have been in houses similarly close to a road before.

 

[lxskllr]

It's been doing it this long, and is still standing. Odds are it'll outlast your stay there. I'd be more concerned about the machetes.

 

[sdifox]

You are in Mexico. The house is the least of your worries.

 

[ZippyDan]

It's been doing it this long, and is still standing. Odds are it'll outlast your stay there. I'd be more concerned about the machetes.

I'm not worried about it happening while I am here. I am worried about it happening ever ... this is my company and these people are my friends. Most problems don't happen suddenly but little by little. I'm wondering if it would be worth calling an engineer.

All of you who think Mexico is a war zone should come visit and see how normal and peaceful it is. Yeah, there is crime here, as there is anywhere, and maybe there is more crime and more outrageous crime here, but it is still a lightning strike's chance of actually being involved in a crime.

 

[RossMAN]

Smuggle me some Valium back to the states?

 

[OverVolt]

Thats why in Mexico there is less ADHD, the rattling house just makes sure you are paying attention when trucks go by.