There is a lot more to both residential and industrial foundations than a lot of people realise, particularly when it comes to the different types and the subcategories within them. After all, every single approach is designed in order to meet the needs of certain projects specifically. Underpinning is a residential foundational approach that can be applied in various different ways. Read on as we go over some of them…
Soil Strengthening
Weaker soil can be reinforced by a method known as soil strengthening. Whilst this isn’t technically an underpinning variety, it can be quite effective in circumstances that require intervention to be utilised without the need for a full underpinning project. The process involves injecting grout or structural resin in the soil in order to create ‘foam’ foundations that function in a similar fashion to underpinning.
Mass Concrete
The traditional way to approach underpinning projects is known as mass concrete pouring and is thought to originate from the 17th and 18th centuries. This process involves digging holes below the existing foundations of a property and filling them with concrete grout in order to reinforce their stability. It is quite popular with residential builds that have been situated on top of shallow foundations.
Beam and Base
In a foundational aspect, footing is the brickwork that is situated between the foundation itself at the DPC (Damp Proof Course) level. Beam and Base is an underpinning method that offers a refined alternative to mass concrete underpinning and involves concrete beams being installed above or below the footing. The aim of this approach is to redirect where the weight of a building lies and redistribute it to more strategic areas.
When it comes to the specifics of a piling project, the Rhino Piling team carry out an on-site evaluation in order to ascertain how to proceed as effectively as possible. There is no one-size fits all approach when it comes to foundations so these nitty gritty details are crucial to the longevity of any project. To speak to a member of the team about underpinning, get in contact with the best piling Manchester has to offer today.
