Willow Creek Apartments Case Studies

A bridge supported by driven wood piles, connecting two sections of an apartment complex designed for vehicles, crosses a 20 ft. wide creek. The fire marshal had been monitoring the bridge for several years to ensure emergency vehicles could use the bridge safely. The settlement of the bridge was deemed unsafe; if the bridge wasn’t repaired, the apartments would be condemned.

Problem: The creek below the bridge had slowly eroded the soil below, causing the bridge supports to sink. While it happened slowly over several years, the cumulative damage was significant. Cracks formed in the concrete support beams. The support beams and piles would need to be replaced.

Proposed Solution: Ram Jack South Carolina proposed using (32) piles strategically placed to support the various beams of the bridge: (12) supporting the center beam, (12) supporting one side of the bridge, and (8) battered, cradling new 8 in. wide flange beams.

Outcome: In only three days, (32) 2 7⁄8” double helix 10”-12” helical piles with 9 ft. guide sleeves were installed to an average depth of 10 ft. Two (2) 8 in. wide flange beams were added for additional support. The bridge was lifted 11 in. for a complete recovery of the structure.

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