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SB GeoTechnic is a leader in the underpinning of existing foundation systems. Underpinning, also referred to as piering, is a process that transfers the loads from a structure to a deep foundation element bearing in more suitable ground. When foundations fail, our structural contractors depend on quality underpinning solutions. Underpinning enables us to complete complex foundation issues without causing disturbance to the work area. Commercial underpinning has one simple concept – to strengthen, lift, and support settling foundations. Here are several reasons why your structure may need underpinning:
The existing foundation is weak or unstable due to settlement
The building’s structure has shifted or moved due to floods or droughts
Changes in the soil that supports the foundation
Economical solution over new construction
Nearby new construction with excavation
When a foundation has sifted and settled, there will be structural damage throughout the entire structure. That is why it is important to know what signs to look for that may indicate that you are in need of foundation repair. When you look around your commercial or industrial building look for some of these signs:
Ceiling cracks
Floor cracks
Sloping floors
Wall cracks
Bowing or leaning walls
Doors and windows that stick
All of these are signs that you may have foundation settlement. It is important to contact a professional at the first signs of foundation settlement. The experts at SB GeoTechnic will come and give you a free inspection and offer you the underpinning solution for your repair needs. The sooner a foundation repair is done, the least amount of damage that will occur throughout the structure.
With underpinning, structures are more accessible for inspection, renovations, and improvements. It also helps save energy, reduce heating and cooling costs, and stabilizes the soil underneath the foundation. Our underpinning piers include steel push piers that are used to stabilize and lift foundations back to normal. Our hydraulic equipment used for piering is quiet and vibration free. All installation equipment is portable and can be manually transported on the job site and into position. After all of the piers are installed and load tested, the structure can be immediately restored by transferring the load to the piers. There’s no time wasted, waiting for concrete to cure, and no soil to remove from the site. A measured factor of safety is verified, as the piers are 100% load tested to a force greater than the actual working load.
As underpinning and foundation specialists, SB GeoTechnic offers a wide range of effective and economic solutions to all types of remedial and new foundation problems. We provide a range of underpinning and foundation repair systems including,
The traditional mass concrete method of underpinning is an established technique, suitable for relatively shallow depths of underpinning in dry stable ground conditions. Bases are excavated and constructed in a planned ‘hit and miss’ sequence, ensuring that the structural integrity of the building above is safely maintained.
SB GeoTechnic utilises a wide range of piling plant and equipment suitable to construct economic foundation solutions in the majority of ground conditions.
SB GeoTechnic’s experienced and qualified Engineers will design economical piled underpinning schemes where ground or site conditions dictate this to be an appropriate method of stabilisation. SB GeoTechnic offers a wide variety of technical piling solutions for even the most difficult sites.
SB GeoTechnic’s skilled teams of experienced ground workers, shuttering carpenters, steel fixers and concreter’s construct reinforced concrete to the highest quality and specification to suit a wide variety of applications.
The beam and base method of underpinning is a more technically advanced adaptation of traditional mass concrete underpinning.
A reinforced concrete beam is constructed below, above or in replacement of the existing footing. The beam then transfers the load of the building to mass concrete bases, which are constructed at designed strategic locations.
Base sizes and depths are dependent upon the prevailing ground conditions. Beam design is dependent upon the configuration of the building and the applied loads.