Foundation movement occurs in varying degrees, impacting the structural integrity of buildings, affecting underpinning foundations and potentially requiring basement underpinning.
An experienced professional should be consulted to assess the movement to determine the severity and provide remediation solutions as may be required.

To fully appreciate how foundation movement can be remediated, one must understand the cause of the movement, which often requires geotechnical analysis, which is crucial for quality underpinning basement solutions.

Foundation settlement and movement can be caused by one or a combination of the following:

• Dehydration of the soil creating shrinkage of the soils causing settlement
• Expansion of the soil due to too much moisture or frost action causing uplift of the foundation and its components
• Existing pile failure due to piles not being designed properly or improper installation
• “Wash Out” of bearing soil due to water erosion and/or water and sewer line issues
• Existing Foundation components bearing on soft soils not capable of handling loads

There are other causes for foundation movement, but the above five are the most common. Once again, it is very important that all relevant information be analyzed by an experienced professional to determine what is occurring. Only then can an effective remediation plan be put together.

One of the most common solutions to stabilize the foundation of a building is to underpin the foundation down onto a more stable soil, a process that aids in subsidence prevention.
This soil layer should be suitable by strength and type to accommodate the loads exerted on it, often requiring soil stabilization techniques.
It should also be well below the “active soil layer”.

Effective Solutions for Stabilizing Foundations in Active Soil Layers

“Active Soil Layer” is the layer of soil that is affected by seasonal changes in moisture levels. Most commonly this soil layer is usually within the top 20 feet of soil. Periods of drought or high periods of precipitation can drastically affect expansive clay or active soils.

Underpinning is typically done by installing a pile under the existing foundation, effectively increasing its load-bearing capacity, a process that experienced underpinning contractors can perform efficiently to enhance basement stability.
There are many forms of piles available, each designed to provide optimal foundation reinforcement.
Read our Discussion on Underpinning to fully understand the different choices for underpinning that you have, how they work and what Abarent Construction’s process is. Give us the opportunity to show you the “Abarent Advantage”, backed by our team of experienced structural engineers.

Foundation underpinning is an excellent method used to strengthen and stabilize a foundation that has become weak or unstable, improving the overall performance of your basement.

There are several types of foundation underpinning methods, including:

• Conventional underpinning: Involves excavating beneath the foundation and installing new concrete or masonry piers. This method is commonly used for buildings with shallow foundations, and it can be done manually or by using machines.
• Driven Piles: Involves driving steel or concrete piles into the ground to support the foundation. The piles are typically driven to a depth where the soil is more stable. This method is commonly used for buildings with deep foundations, or for underpinning a large area.
• Grout injection: Involves injecting a grout mixture into the soil to fill voids and stabilize the soil. This method is commonly used for underpinning shallow foundations, and it can be done manually or by using machines.
• Helical piers: Involves installing steel piers with helical blades that are screwed into the soil. This method is commonly used for underpinning shallow foundations, and it can be done manually or by using machines.
• Mini piles: Involves installing small diameter piles of steel or reinforced concrete into the ground, using a rotary or percussive technique. This method is commonly used for underpinning shallow foundations, and it can be done manually or by using machines.