What term describes the upward movement of a building after construction?

The term that accurately describes the upward movement of a building after construction is heaving. This phenomenon occurs typically in response to changes in moisture content within the soil underneath the structure, often due to freeze-thaw cycles or excessive water. When the soil expands as it absorbs water or freezes, it exerts upward pressure on the foundation of the building, causing it to rise.

Heaving is significant because rapid or unanticipated shifts in a building's vertical alignment can lead to structural problems, including cracks in walls, misalignment of doors and windows, and potential failure of the building's integrity over time. Understanding heaving is crucial for those in construction and engineering as it informs proper foundation design and site preparation to mitigate its effects.

Understanding this concept helps differentiate it from other terms related to ground movement. Settling refers to the downward movement usually caused by the weight of the building compressing the soil beneath it. Shifting describes lateral movement and potential displacement of a structure, while subsiding refers to the gradual sinking or settling down of the ground or building into the land under its own weight, often without the upward component of heaving.