Foundation repair and underpinning

The challenge

The existing foundation no longer carried what it needed to. Underpinning means working beneath a building that has to stay standing throughout.

The critical factor is phasing: how wide a section may be open at once, and in what order. Too wide or too fast, and the building settles into the excavation.

Our approach

Section width and sequence were set in advance. A limited section was excavated, underpinned and cast before the next was opened.

Each section cured before the adjacent one was opened, so the building was never inadequately supported at any point.

The junction between existing and new foundation was executed so load transfer continues through rather than stopping at the joint.

Outcome

A foundation bearing deeper across a larger area, with greater capacity than the original.

Underpinning is work where sequence matters more than speed. That's exactly why we set it out beforehand.