UNDERPINNING

Underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilizing the foundation of an existing building. It may be required for any of a number of reasons: i) The existing foundations may never have been adequate to carry loads, leading to excessive settlement of the building over time. ii) A change in building use or additions to the building may overload the existing foundations. iii)New construction near a building may disturb the soil around its foundations or required that its foundations be carried deeper. iv)The construction of nearby structures necessitates the excavation of soil supporting existing foundations v) It is more economical, due to land price or otherwise, to work on the present structure's foundation than to build a new one.

Three different alternatives are available when foundation capacity needs to be increased:
i) The foundations may be enlarged by extending the foundation in depth or in breadth so it either rests on more supportive soil stratum or distributes its load across a greater area New, deep foundations can be inserted under shallow ones to carry the load to a deeper, stronger stratum of soil such as using micropiles and jet grouting The soil itself can be strengthened by the introduction of a grout

ii)

iii)

Underpinning both piles outside - Cantilever Beam

Underpinning with one pile inside and on outside - Bridging Beam

Conventional Underpinning
Piles cut through existing foundations

Compaction Grouting

Two methods of supporting a building while carrying out underpinning work beneath its foundation
1) Trenches are dug beneath the existing foundation at intervals, leaving the majority of the foundation supported by the soil. When the portions of the new foundations have been completed in the trenches, another set of trenches is dug between them and the remainder of the foundations completed

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2) The foundations of an entire wall can be exposed at once by needling, in which the wall is supported temporarily on needle beams threaded through holes cut in the wall. After underpinning has been accomplished, the jacks and needle beams are removed ant the trench is backfilled

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THREE TYPES OF UNDERPINNING

1) A new foundation wall and footing are constructed beneath the existing foundation

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2) New piles or caissons are constructed on either side of the existing foundation

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3) Concrete mini piles are cast into holes drilled diagonally through the existing foundation. Mini piles do not generally required excavation or temporary support of the building.

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UNDERPINNING WITH PIPE PILES Pipe piles are used to gain vertical support in poor soils. Pilings are driven through the weak soil to reach competent soil for proper support. Piles are often used in areas with limited access for big equipment.

UNDERPINNING WITH CAISSONS Caissons are steel reinforced columns of concrete placed into pre drilled holes to gain vertical and horizontal support.

UNDERPINNING WITH GRADE BEAMS Underpinning using a grade beam is intended to support from below and significantly stiffen the weak area.

Foundation Underpinning
When a home's foundation has structural damage, it needs to be fixed to ensure no further damage and the possible loss of the home. A foundation Underpinning System is used to permanently correct this problem. The foundation is stabilized by using galvanized pipe that is hydraulically driven into the hard bedrock beneath the house. These pipes, known as piers are underneath and attached the foundation, correcting the damage. This method is proven to be very effective and economical compared to the expense of replacing the existing foundation.

The A.B. Chance Helical pier is perfectly suited for area soils and the extreme depths they must reach to find load bearing strata. The Helix of the helical pier (or the load bearing plate) turns and twists into the soil like a screw driver by the hydraulics with precise measurement of the hydraulic pressure which then correlates to the load that the pier can support. Once the helical Pier is driven to a sufficient depth pressure or load bearing strata is reached the weight of the structure is then transferred to the stable soil through the helix (load plate). The Foundation footing is notched and patented bracket is bolted to the foundation, this bracket secures to the helical pier transferring the load. The structure can then be raised to its original level position by hydraulic force.

Concrete Underpinning Conventional underpinning is the process of making small excavations under existing footings then filling the excavated area with concrete. Underpinning typically occurs: i) When you are protecting the foundation from an adjacent excavation. ii) When the existing footing is deteriorated and failing. ii) When the bearing (soil) beneath the footing has eroded or sunk. If it is necessary to reinforce or support the existing building during construction, no problem, a support system using steel, piers, or tieback anchors.

Push Pier Installation Steps: Step 1: Footing is exposed and prepared for the bracket.

Step 2: Foundation Bracket is secured to the footing.

Step 3: Steel pier sections are hydraulically driven through the bracket to competent soil or bedrock

Step 4: The weight of the home is transferred through the piers to load bearing strata. Home is lifted back to level if possible.

Helical Pier Installation Steps:

Step 1: Footing is exposed and prepared for the bracket.

Step 2: Round-shaft helical piers are mechanically advanced into the soil

Step 3: Foundation Bracket is secured to the footing

Step 4: The weight of the home is transferred through the piers to load bearing strata. Home is lifted back to level if possible.