Foundation Repair for Commercial Buildings: Addressing Shifting Walls in Arizona

In the world of commercial construction and real estate, maintaining the structural integrity of your property is paramount. The foundation of a building serves as the bedrock on which everything stands. When issues arise with a commercial foundation, it's crucial to address them promptly and professionally. This article explores a real-life scenario involving commercial foundation repair, emphasizing the importance of hiring reputable contractors for the job.

The Setting: A Commercial Property in Arizona (AZ)

Our story unfolds in the sunny state of Arizona, where the demand for quality construction is as high as the temperatures. This article focuses on a particular commercial property in Arizona, which experienced alarming foundation problems.

Commercial Foundation Troubles in AZ

During the final grouting phase of the rear truck park, the property owners and construction team noticed a significant issue with one of the site walls. This 8-foot-tall structure, located on the east side of the property, had undergone alarming shifts. The automatic rolling gates, designed to provide security and access control, had ceased to function. The walls exhibited both vertical and lateral displacement, with some areas dropping up to 10 inches vertically and moving laterally up to 8 inches out of plumb. It was evident that this situation needed urgent attention.

The Impact on Operations

The failure of the automatic rolling gates and the substantial movement of the site wall had a considerable impact on the property's daily operations. Access to the premises became challenging, leading to disruptions in the workflow. It was evident that immediate action was necessary to address this foundation crisis.

Collaborating with Arizona Foundation Specialists

The property owner and project team recognized the severity of the issue and sought professional advice. In conjunction with a Geotech expert involved in the project, they began to brainstorm potential solutions. The conventional approach, which involved pre-drilling and installing push piles used on the building itself, wouldn't work for this situation. The site wall didn't possess sufficient weight to serve as a reaction point for driving push piles. Furthermore, it was essential not only to raise the wall but also to bring it back into a plumb position.

Selecting the Right Solution

Given the unique challenges posed by this situation, the decision was made to install hollow bar micro piles. However, there was a concern that the loose concrete rubble in the area might not provide adequate support for thin grout. To address this, the team decided to carry out compaction grouting first. This process would densify the soil and rubble, creating a stable foundation for the upcoming repairs.

The Micro Pile Approach by AZFS

The core of the solution involved the installation of hollow bar micro piles, attached to the footings with Supportworks side loading brackets. The piles were strategically placed on both sides of the wall, ensuring that the footings remained unaltered to provide maximum leverage for lifting either side back into a plumb position. In total, 97 piles were meticulously installed, securing the integrity of the site wall and restoring it to its intended position.

Overcoming Additional Foundation Challenges

Complicating this repair work were small planters in certain areas of the property. To address this, the team invested in an MME mast from TEI for their Drifter, allowing them to use an excavator instead of a skid steer. This investment proved to be invaluable, not only for this project but for future jobs that required similar equipment.

Conclusion

In the realm of commercial construction, maintaining a solid foundation is non-negotiable. When foundation problems arise, as they did in this Arizona-based commercial property, prompt action and collaboration with foundation specialists are key. The successful resolution of this foundation crisis demonstrates the significance of selecting the right solution and investing in the appropriate equipment. For those facing commercial foundation repair challenges, remember that timely and professional intervention can save your property from a catastrophe.