Austin Peay Meacham Apartments Case Studies
Situation: Genesis Engineering out of Franklin, TN was hired by the Tennessee Board
of Regents to evaluate three Austin Peay Apartment buildings they were
having settlement issues with. Genesis installed crack monitors and took
readings for three years. They came to the conclusion that three of the
buildings required underpinning in order to stabilize the settlement of
the foundation. Austin Peay facility manager contacted Ram Jack of TN
to retain a bid for the repairs.
Solution: Genesis Engineering provided loads and areas of the three buildings that
were in need of repair. Ram Jack of TN worked with Ram Jack’s corporate
engineering team to come up with a plan of repair to support buildings.
The repair consisted of 38 helical piles on building 100, 41 helical piles
on building 200, and 53 helical piles on building 300, for a total of
132 piles. 2 7/8” and 3 1/2” helical piles with 5’ external
sleeves were designed to carry the loads. A sister beam was also designed
on sections of the 3 buildings consisting of a rebar cage with 6 runs
of #6 reinforcement and doweled into the existing footing to help carry
the load of the existing unreinforced footing of the buildings between
the helical piers. The sister beam was a 2’x2’ formed footing
beside the existing footing, and would be installed after the piles were
in place, so the piles would be encased in the new beam. Ram Jack would
have 60 days to complete job or liquid damages would come into place.
Conclusion: Ram Jack of TN installed the 132 helical piles at an average depth of
60’ deep below grade and the sister beam. The work was completed
15 days ahead of schedule. Austin Peay faciltiy members and Genesis Engineering
Group were very satised with the work performed and extremely happy on
finishing the job 15 days ahead of the schedule due. The work didn’t
cause any interference with students moving back into the apartments after
a long summer break.
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