Stucco Distress
Two-story and one-story walls wind stress analysis. Click image for a larger view.
Stucco distress and moisture membrane failure in buildings have become national problems.
NMA investigations focus on the structural engineering factors allowing a building to move after construction. Wind, lumber shrinkage and differential ground movement are usually the prime suspects.
NMA assumes stucco is applied in accordance with the requirements of building codes, and the proven methods of many stucco bureaus and professional stucco associations.
Critical items of interest for investigating distress for walls and components sheathed with stucco are:
- Undersized exterior wall studs
- Sill crushing
- Sequence of construction
- Improper gapping of sheathing
- Differential movement of the supporting soil
- Incorrect or omitted wind analysis such as gusts, exposure catagory and topographic effects (uphill wind speedup, especially for structures placed on top of hills)
- Lumber and sheathing moisture content
- Openings (windows and doors)
- Structure plan irregularities which might suggest possible wind tunnel studies
- Framing errors or missing structural components