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UNDERPINNING

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 CONTENTS

Definition of Underpinning
Purpose of Underpinning
Need of Underpinning
Methods for Underpinning

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 DEFINITION OF UNDERPINNING
In general, underpinning means material or
masonry used to support a structure or
foundation.

underpinning means the rebuilding or deepening

of the foundation of an existing building to
provide additional or improved support

underpinning is a generic term to describe the

process of modifying an existing foundation by
adding support

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 DEFINITION OF UNDERPINNING
underpinning is the process of
strengthening and stabilizing the
foundation of an existing building or other
structure

Foundation underpinning is a means of

transferring loads to deeper soils or
bedrock.

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 PURPOSE OF UNDERPINNING

To obtain additional foundation capacity

To modify the existing foundation system

To create new foundations thru which the

existing load may be wholly or partially
transferred into deeper soil

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 PURPOSE OF UNDERPINNING

Underpinning is generally used for

remedial purposes

To arrest the excessive settlement

To improve the future performance of the

existing foundations

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 Determining the Need for
Underpinning
When a structure starts showing signs of
settlement or distress, it is of utmost importance
to establish level readings and offset readings by
a professional on a daily, weekly, or monthly
basis, depending on the severity of the
movements.
Prior to the start of excavation for a new
structure, it is advisable to have a professional
examine all structures in close proximity to the
construction site, to determine whether or not
underpinning is necessary.
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 NEED OF UNDERPINNING
Underpinning is needed when:
The original foundation is simply not strong or stable
enough, e.g. due to decay of wooden piles under the
foundation.
The usage of the structure has changed.
The properties of the soil supporting the foundation may
have changed or was mischaracterized during planning.
The construction of nearby structures necessitates the
excavation of soil supporting existing foundations.
To support a structure which is sinking or tilting due to
ground subsidence or instability of the super structure

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 NEED OF UNDERPINNING
As a safe guard against possible settlement of the
structure when excavating close to or below its
foundation level.

To enable the foundation to be deepened for

structural reasons e.g to construct the basement
beneath the building

To increase the width of the foundation to

permit heavier loads to be carried e.g when
increasing the story height of the building

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 NEED OF UNDERPINNING

Construction of a new project with a deeper

foundation adjacent to an existing building
Settlement of an existing structure
Change in use of a structure
Addition of a basement below an existing
structure

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 CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE
UNDERPINNING

Height of the building

Column spacing
Wall thickness
Type and material of construction
Different loads acting on the building
Condition of the building

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METHODS USED FOR UNDERPINNING

Pit Underpinning
Helical Pier System
Pile Underpinning
Other Methods
Chemical Grouting
Microfine Grouting

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 PIT UNDERPINNING

The most common and oldest method of

underpinning

Accomplished by installing piers under a

structures foundation, filling them with concrete
and wedging up to transfer the load to the new
piers

Requires careful and skilled work as loss of

ground will cause building settlement
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 PIT UNDERPINNING

Columns/ walls above the affected footing

should be braced as much as possible

A pit of 3 wide, 4 long and 5 deep is

excavated in front of the footing to be
underpinned

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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 PIT UNDERPINNING

Pit is extended laterally to reach under the

foundation to be underpinned

The foundation is then deepened to the required

depth

Vertical formwork is built in the pit and then is

concreted up to the foundation

Dry packing operation is then carried out

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 PIT UNDERPINNING

Workable above water table in dry ground

Difficult to use below water level

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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PIT UNDERPINNING

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 HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

Helical piers are used to support

foundation of existing structures.

Piers are drilled under the affected

foundations to a specified with the help of
a hydraulic motor attached to a backhoe.

Difficult to use below water level

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 HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

Damaged Foundation Repaired Foundation

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 HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

Excavate down to the footing at each designated pier

location

Notch out foundation footing to accommodate support

bracket

Screw piers into excavated site to a desired depth using a

hydraulic motor attached to a backhoe

Connect bracket to base of foundation and at the top of

the pier

Backfill all excavated pier locations

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HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

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HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

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HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

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HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

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 HELICAL PIER SYSTEM

Fast installation
Economical
Can be installed in confined space
Minimum disturbance to site
Immediate loading
All weather installation
Applicable for saturated soil conditions

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 PILE UNDERPINNING

This technique is used to overcome the

extremely difficult working circumstances
encountered when pit underpinning action
become unsuitable

Piles are often used where water condition

make it difficult to dig below the footing

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PILE UNDERPINNING

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PILE UNDERPINNING

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 OTHER METHODS
CHEMICAL GROUTING

Perforated pipes are drilled into the ground at

spacing and a solution of Sodium Silicate is
pressure-injected into the ground and then
Calcium or magnesium chloride is injected as the
pipe is withdrawn.

The two chemicals react to form a gel that binds

the soil particles into a mass similar to sandstone

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 OTHER METHODS

MICROFINE GROUTING

A perforated pipe is drilled into ground and

fluid grout mixture is injected by pressure
The mixture consist of
- water + Cement
- water + cement + fly ash or lime

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GROUTING

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GROUTING

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 Mass Concrete

The traditional mass concrete method of

underpinning is an established technique,
suitable for relatively shallow depths of
underpinning in dry stable ground
conditions. Bases are excavated and
constructed in a planned hit and miss
sequence, ensuring that the structural
integrity of the building above is safely
maintained.
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 Mass Concrete

Commencement of mass concrete Construction of new pin adjacent to

underpinning to flank wall of house previously cast and dry packed
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concrete pin
 Beam and Base

The beam and base method of underpinning is a more

technically advanced adaptation of traditional mass concrete
underpinning.

A reinforced concrete beam is constructed below, above or in

replacement of the existing footing. The beam then transfers
the load of the building to mass concrete bases, which are
constructed at designed strategic locations.

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 Beam and Base

New R.C. beam supported on mass Beam and Base construction of beam
concrete base under existing wall
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 Beam and Base

Beam dry packed to underside of footing

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