Underpinning Design in Pennsylvania
Long before the shovel hits the ground, today’s Dauphin County construction companies and large-scale commercial construction projects and residential developments must first have soil testing performed. It is required by state and Federal regulations and is essential to determining the type of soil, its subsurface, its load-bearing capacity, and its composition. Only then can construction companies determine the type of foundation, materials, and construction processes needed. For construction companies needing third-party testing, Earth Engineering provides independent laboratory testing of soils in Dauphin County, PA.
Common Methods of Underpinning Design
Earth Engineering understands that each project we take on is unique, which is why we provide tailored underpinning design services to all clients in PA. While we use a variety of underpinning design methods that are tailored to the needs of your structural demands, we will take the time to evaluate your structure’s design, soil composition, and even load requirements before getting started. A few common methods of underpinning design we’re familiar with at Earth Engineering in PA include:
- Mass Concrete Underpinning: Mass concrete underpinning involves excavating sections below an existing structure or foundation to fill them with concrete. This is one of the oldest methods of underpinning available for commercial and residential property owners in PA.
- Micropile Underpinning: Drilling small-diameter piles to transfer loads to more stable layers of soil is a way to address areas that have difficult or deep soil conditions.
- Soil Stabilization/Jet Grouting: Soil stabilization and jet grouting help create a more stabilized soil base. Injecting grout directly into the soil is useful where soil has become weakened over time.
Purpose of Underpinning Design
Understanding the purpose of underpinning design in NJ is essential for a homeowner, architect, designer, or real estate investor. Underpinning is defined as a process that helps strengthen or extend the foundation of an existing structure, either commercial or residential. With underpinning design services from Earth Engineering in PA, identifying load demands, structural instability warnings, and potential problems related to existing soil conditions is possible.
Notable Purposes of Underpinning Design Solutions
Extending foundation depth through underpinning is a method used when a structure requires a deeper foundation than originally constructed. This is commonly needed for various reasons, including adding a basement, improving stability, or reaching stronger soil layers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why and how foundation depth is extended through underpinning:
Reasons for Extending Foundation Depth
- Adding a Basement or Lower Level
- When property owners want to expand below an existing structure, such as adding a basement or underground parking, the existing foundation must be deepened to accommodate the new space.
- Underpinning allows excavation beneath the structure while ensuring it remains stable during the process.
- Reaching More Stable Soil or Bedrock
- If the original foundation was built on weak or unstable soil, extending the foundation depth allows it to transfer loads to a stronger soil stratum or bedrock.
- This is especially important in areas with high water tables, expansive clays, or loose fill materials.
- Preventing Undermining Due to Adjacent Construction
- If nearby excavation (e.g., for a deep foundation, tunnel, or basement) risks undermining the structure, underpinning can deepen the foundation to avoid instability.
- This ensures that soil movement from neighboring construction does not lead to settlement or structural failure.
Applications of Underpinning Design
Underpinning can be applied across numerous industries:
- Residential: If you’re a residential homeowner in PA, preserving your foundations/walls shows signs of cracking, and settlement underpinning solutions are safe, effective, and streamlined.
- Commercial/Industrial: Stabilizing commercial factories, buildings, and offices is imperative to avoid regulatory and compliance or safety issues.
- Infrastructure Ventures: From developing roadways, highways, tunnels, and bridges, addressing potential soil and stability issues is imperative. Underpinning design planning, soil testing, and analysis by experts at Earth Engineering can help ensure long-term structural integrity and durability.
- Preservation: Preserving historic sites and buildings is possible with underpinning design services from Earth Engineering in PA.
If you’re adding to an existing structure in PA or if you’re concerned about the stability of a structure or local regulation compliance, Earth Engineering’s underpinning design specialists are here to help. To speak with a consultant about our underpinning design services that may be right for your structural or foundation concerns in PA, contact Earth Engineering today.