What is ground improvement?

Sinking floors, unstable machinery, or settlement cracks in your commercial property all point to one critical issue: the ground beneath your building is failing. Ground improvement is the engineering solution to fix this.

Ground improvement (or ground engineering) is a process that enhances the properties of the soil to increase its strength and stability. The goal is to improve the ground's bearing capacity—its ability to support a load—and reduce the potential for settlement.

It's the modern, efficient alternative to disruptive deep foundations or "dig and replace" methods.

Detail view of failed concrete slab creating uneven surfaces in factory
View of a mechanical digger scooping ground in a construction site with a pool of water.

Why your property might need it

Your property is a valuable asset, and ground failure is a direct threat to it. You may need ground improvement if you have:

Weak or unstable soils (e.g., poorly compacted fill, peat, or soft clay) that can't support the building's load.

Poor compaction: Often from when the property was first built, leading to slow, ongoing settlement.

Voids and washouts: Caused by leaking pipes or poor drainage, leaving the slab unsupported.

Increased load: Adding new, heavy machinery or mezzanine floors that the original slab/ground was not designed for.

The Geobear ground improvement solution

Geobear's ground improvement solutions use a specialist geopolymer injection process to increase the bearing capacity of the soil. We inject the material through small-diameter holes, where it expands and compacts the surrounding ground. This action fills any voids and increases the density of the soil, providing a stable and reliable foundation. Our solution is up to 70% faster than traditional ground engineering methods and has a 60% lower carbon impact.

Our process

A commitment to efficiency

The Geobear ground improvement solution

Traditional "dig and replace" methods are slow, expensive, and cause massive disruption. Our geopolymer injection solution is different.

3D view of exposed soil under concrete slab in warehouse with Geobear techs injecting geopolymer

 

1
Survey and plan

Our in-house engineers conduct a thorough site assessment (using soil tests and site investigation data) to create a precise, engineered plan.

2
Treatment

We drill small diameter holes through the affected slab deep into the weak ground below.

3
Expansion and compaction

We inject our specialist geopolymer resin. As it expands, it powerfully compacts loose soils, fills voids, and binds the ground into a solid, stable mass.

4
Monitoring and verification

The entire process is monitored in real-time with lasers to ensure precise, controlled results. If required, this process can also lift and re-level settled slabs back to datum

The commercial advantage:

Why choose Geobear?

For a commercial property, downtime is the biggest cost. Our solution is designed for businesses:

Minimise disruption

Our process is clean and requires no excavation. We can work in targeted areas, overnight, or on weekends, allowing your business to remain fully operational.

Engineered expertise

With 40+ years of experience and over 200,000 projects using our technology, our in-house engineering team designs your solution. No third-party consultants needed.

Fast and efficient

Our solution is up to 70% faster than traditional methods. We solve your problem in days, not the weeks or months required for excavation and curing.

Sustainable choice

Geobear's solution has a 60% lower carbon impact than traditional underpinning, helping you meet your sustainability goals.

Ground Improvement Case Studies

Historic Buildings
Long Eaton Library Foundation Stabilisation
Featured case study Ground Improvement

Long Eaton Library Foundation Stabilisation

Geobear stabilised the front-left corner of Long Eaton Library, a Grade II listed Carnegie building, with geopolymer injection. 25.8 m treated, SPT values improved 3x, and settlement halted — all without excavation or disruption.

Project duration
3 days
Operational downtime
Zero
See All 54 Case Studies

Challenges this solves

Sinking slabs

Loss of fines in beneath access areas and facilities.

Damaged and cracked floors

Where sub-base strength is lost.

Subsidence

Causing structural movement of the building.

Settlement

Beneath heavy machinery or new equipment foundations.

Ready to improve your ground conditions?

Don't let unstable ground put your commercial operations at risk. Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation site assessment and a quote. Let us help you protect your business with a fast and efficient ground improvement solution.

Contact Us
Bear pointing Bear pointing

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about ground improvement

No. Our solution is designed for minimal disruption. The small footprint of our equipment and the lack of excavation mean you can often remain fully operational. We can work in targeted areas or overnight to avoid interrupting your workflow.

Yes. Our geopolymer is an engineered solution that measurably increases the ground's bearing capacity. The material itself is incredibly strong, durable, inert, and water-repellent, with a very long design life.

While the direct project cost is often comparable, the total cost is significantly lower. Our clients save massively on the indirect costs of avoided downtime, tenant relocation, excavation, and restoration.

Yes. Our solution is ideal for targeted treatment. We can stabilise the ground directly under a specific machine pad, high-traffic aisle, or racking leg, without affecting the surrounding area.