Case Studies
Residential Foundation Settlement
Introduction: Foundation settlement can lead to a wide array of problems for any home.
Whether it’s sagging walls with cracked bricks or a sinking driveway
with an uneven slope, the damage can be severe and overwhelming. The fact
is that when a foundation settles, it doesn’t discriminate, wreaking
havoc on whatever it supports.
Situation: The owners of a home in Cleveland, Tennessee, contacted Ram Jack Eastern
Tennessee after noticing some irregularities in the walls and driveway
around their garage. A Ram Jack professional performed an inspection and
found cracks in both the exterior brick wall of the home outside the garage
as well as in the cinder blocks inside the structure. The concrete driveway
was severely cracked with uneven areas and irregularities in the grading.
Gradual foundation settlement appeared to be to blame for the subsequent
issues with the residence.
Proposed Solution: In order to stabilize the structure, Ram Jack proposed the installation
of six driven piles, one helical tieback, and the use of a carbon fiber
kit to provide maximum practical recovery to the structure. The six driven
piles were to be installed in the interior of the garage, with the helical
tieback and carbon fiber kit used on the exterior wall.
Outcome: The repair crew successfully installed the six driven piles inside the
garage to an average depth of 42 ft. They also installed the helical tieback
to a depth of 10 ft. With the piles installed and work complete, the structure
was completely stabilized and its integrity restored. Additionally, the
unsightly cracks were minimized, improving the appearance of the home.
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