When differential settlement occurs in a building, involving partial subsidence of the ground, the bearing ground must be secured and the settlement stopped, so that the structural damage does not become too serious, as it can even end in the collapse of the building.
Among the most widely used repair methods are expanding resin injection and driven micropiles. In this article we explain how they work.
What does expanding resin injection involve?
It is a minimally invasive technique for the property. It involves injecting natural-chemical components directly beneath the foundation level through holes less than 3 cm in diameter. Once these components are mixed and injected, they expand and solidify, increasing the bearing capacity of the ground and filling its voids and cavities, consolidating the ground and stopping the subsidence. It can even lift the structure in a controlled manner.
There are several companies on the market with expertise in resin injection; one of them is Geonovatek, which has specialised in ground consolidation and foundation underpinning for more than 15 years. It has worked with us on several occasions and done very reliable work, standing out in particular for the technological innovations used in its projects, as well as for optimising delivery times and minimising damage.
What does driving micropiles involve?
It is a minimally invasive technique whereby, through 65 mm holes in the foundations, externally corrugated tubular steel sections are driven in a controlled manner to eliminate settlement of the foundations or even lift the building if necessary.
The system is unobtrusive, since the piles are driven without excavating soil and without hammering, using a hydraulic ram, until they reach the load-bearing stratum of the ground, which makes it possible to know the exact load capacity of each micropile installed.
The external corrugation gives a higher friction coefficient along the whole length of the micropile, which, once driven into the ground, considerably increases its frictional grip.
What are the advantages of both solutions?
They are clean, durable and reliable solutions that can be carried out on sites with difficult access where heavy machinery could not enter. They do not increase the weight of the foundations, unlike the injection of other cement-based solutions.
Each case needs to be studied properly, since sometimes consolidating the ground is not enough and the foundations need to be underpinned and lifted using micropiles or another technique.
The works should always be studied by a qualified professional, to choose the most suitable method for stopping the settlement and strengthening the foundations. DPcon Reclamación Daños Constructivos
Any questions?