Case Study 548-2
Foundation Failure Caused by
Incomplete Compaction of Fill Soil
Telluride, Colorado
Installed By:
Mays Construction Specialties, Inc.
Grand Junction, Colorado
Description of the Building: This two story, four family condominium was
built on a steel reinforced, concrete foundation consisting of a perimeter footing, stem
wall and a floor slab. The structure is of wood frame construction with an exterior
covering of wood siding.
Distress Observed: Differential settlement of the perimeter walls as the
structure was being built caused distress. Cracks appeared in the slab and foundation stem
walls. The movements were causing problems with finishing the interior of the building.
Cause of the Problem: The engineers determined that the settlement was
the result of consolidation of inadequately compacted fill soil. Of equal or greater
significance was the determination that the plumbing trench located at the southwestern
side of the structure had not been compacted. This area suffered the greatest settlement
with movements of four inches!
| Repaired
By: |
Mays
Construction Specialties, Inc.
Grand Junction,
Colorado |
| Average
Drive Force: |
50,250
pounds |
| Average
Lift Force: |
37,780
pounds |
| Average
Factor of Safety: |
33%
Above Lift Force, 125% Above Lift to Ultimate Capacity |
| Number of
Piers: 16 |
Amount of Lift:
Up to 4 in. |
Average Depth:
9 ft. |
RAPID INSTALLATION!
Small excavations permit the installation of the Atlas Resistance Piers. This means no
heavy equipment and minimal disruption to soil near the structure. The piers are driven to
a suitable load bearing stratum using quiet and smooth hydraulics.
These photographs show the Atlas Resistance Piers installed along the northwest side of
the structure. Notice that the footing has been carefully notched to place the load over
the pier.
SUCCESS! These photographs show the southwest side of the structure before and
after restoration. The structure is gently returned to as close as possible to original
elevations using a series of hydraulic rams connected together for a uniform lift.
ATLAS RESISTANCE PIERS INSTALLATION SUMMARY
Pier Installation Log
Pier
Section |
Location and Driving Force |
| Pier #1 |
Pier #2 |
Pier #3 |
Pier #4 |
Pier #5 |
Pier #6 |
Pier #7 |
Pier #8 |
| Sect. #1 |
6,632 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,148 |
0 |
4,145 |
0 |
| Sect. #2 |
7,461 |
6,632 |
9,948 |
29,015 |
19,896 |
24,870 |
27,357 |
20,725 |
| Sect. #3 |
58,030 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
Factor Of Safety |
Results |
| Location |
Lifting
Force lb. |
Driving
Force lb. |
Ultimate
Cap. lb. |
Working
F. S. |
Ultimate
F. S. |
Approx.
Lift –in. |
Depth to
Bearing |
| Pier #1 |
18,100 |
58,030 |
85,000 |
3.20:1 |
4.70:1 |
1 / 2 " |
10’ – 6" |
| Pier #2 |
43,300 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.15:1 |
1.96:1 |
1-3/4" |
8’ – 6" |
| Pier #3 |
43,300 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.15:1 |
1.96:1 |
2-7/8" |
9’ – 8" |
| Pier #4 |
43,300 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.15:1 |
1.96:1 |
4" |
10" – 6" |
| Pier #5 |
43,300 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.15:1 |
1.96:1 |
2-3/4" |
8’ – 0" |
| Pier #6 |
31,900 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.56:1 |
2.66:1 |
1-1/2" |
9’ – 0" |
| Pier #7 |
25,800 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.93:1 |
3.29:1 |
1-1/2" |
9’ – 0" |
| Pier #8 |
41,200 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.21:1 |
2.06:1 |
1" |
10’ – 0" |
INSTALLATION SUMMARY-continued
Pier Installation Log
| Pier Location |
Location and Driving force –
pounds |
| |
Pier #9 |
Pier #10 |
Pier #11 |
Pier #12 |
Pier #13 |
Pier #14 |
Pier #15 |
Pier #16 |
| Sect. #1 |
33,160 |
0 |
23,212 |
24,041 |
24,870 |
25,699 |
16,580 |
8,290 |
| Sect. #2 |
49,740 |
19,896 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
35,647 |
34,818 |
33,160 |
26,528 |
| Sect. #3 |
|
49,740 |
|
|
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
49,740 |
INSTALLATION SUMMARY-continued
| Location |
Lifting Force – lb. |
Driving Force – lb. |
Ultimate Force – lb. |
Working F.S. |
Ultimate F. S. |
Appox.
Lift–in. |
Depth to Bearing |
| Pier #9 |
46,400 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.07:1 |
1.83:1 |
1" |
6’ – 6" |
| Pier #10 |
46,400 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.07:1 |
1.83:1 |
1" |
10’ – 0" |
| Pier #11 |
46,400 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.07:1 |
1.83:1 |
1" |
7’ – 0" |
| Pier #12 |
30,900 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.61:1 |
2.75:1 |
3 / 4" |
7’ – 0" |
| Pier #13 |
30,900 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.61:1 |
2.75:1 |
3 / 4" |
10’ – 0" |
| Pier #14 |
30,900 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.61:1 |
2.75:1 |
3 / 4" |
8’ – 6" |
| Pier #15 |
41,200 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.21:1 |
2.06:1 |
3 / 4" |
8’ – 6" |
| Pier #16 |
41,200 |
49,740 |
85,000 |
1.21:1 |
2.06:1 |
1 / 2" |
9’ – 0" |
|
|
|
