CSLB 991221 Structural Rehabilitation
www.FoundationTechnology.com
CASE STUDY An Argument for Piers
Foundation Tech, Inc. and Earth Contact Products
Foundation Technology was hired to reevaluate a residential structure that was experiencing settlement two years after a previous company had performed repairs. The house was experiencing the same cracks and uneven floors as before. the homeowner estimated the floor has settled more than three inches. The previous repair method included concrete pads constructed underneath the complete length of the original footing in efforts to bolster support and stop settlement from occurring. Upon investigation, our team determined that the foundation had again settled three inches along the back of the property, fracturing the slab along the centerline/ridgeline of the house, and causing substantial interior wall cracking.
After measurement utilizing a ZipLevel elevation differential tool, and review of the recently ordered soils report, we concluded that ECP PPB-300 push resistance piers would not only support the structure and eliminate future settlement, we could also lift the foundation back within acceptable tolerance for the homeowner. The soils report determined that there was a high potential for settlement due to expansive soils and an elasticity index of 40. With California experiencing severe drought conditions, coupled with the occasional torrential rains, and low laying location of the property, additional settlement was likely. Prior to repair, the homeowner excavated a large trench around his property to expose all the concrete pads, installed by the prior repair contractor. Based on our measurements and observations, the massive weight of the thirty extra tons of concrete attached to the bottom of the existing footing appeared more detrimental than help Load calculations based on the original structure was to install ECP PPB-300 push piers at a span of 4.5 feet along the rear and sides of the structure. Since all push piers are ‘proof load’ tested for load capacity, our crew, and the homeowner knew the ECP pier installation would be the last foundation repair he would need to pay for. Foundation Tech, Inc. d.b.a. Foundation Construction Technology/Foundation Technology 25217 Anza Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Toll Free. 855.650.2211 Local. 661.294.1313 Foundation and Structural Rehabilitation/ Below Grade Waterproofing
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