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Hamilton Park Ground Improvement & Structural Lift

Challenge

A four-storey Islington property suffered severe subsidence, rotation and separation due to deep clay shrinkage. Traditional underpinning or rebuild options were slow, disruptive and financially prohibitive for the planned redevelopment.

Solution

Geobear stabilised the ground to 4.8 m and re-levelled the structure using phased geopolymer injection, restoring alignment with laser-controlled lifting — all completed in just nine days.

9 Days

Project completed vs. 9–11 weeks for underpinning

1,481 kg CO₂e

Carbon emissions avoided (25.5% reduction)

42 mm Lift

Maximum controlled structural lift achieved

Background

 

crack hamilton park

 

A property investor purchased a four-storey Victorian building, including a basement, in Hamilton Park, Islington, London, with plans to convert it into four apartments. However, the building exhibited long-term structural distress caused by clay shrinkage: significant subsidence, rotation, and separation from the neighbouring local-authority property were visible across the structure.

A site investigation identified severe desiccation in the clay extending to 4.8 m below basement level, alongside drainage defects contributing to ground softening. The building required stabilisation and controlled re-levelling before renovations could progress, but the tight site constraints and need to avoid major disruption demanded a solution far more efficient than traditional methods.

Challenge

The investor explored two conventional options before selecting Geobear:

Traditional Underpinning
  • Required extensive staged excavation and temporary works.
  • Would take 9–11 weeks because of hydraulic jacking, concrete curing and licensing for on-street works.
  • High cost due to labour, materials, and prolonged programme.
  • Significant disruption and operational impact on all trades.

Complete Rebuild
  • Most comprehensive, but financially impractical.
  • Required demolition, complex permitting, and reconstruction — adding months to the project programme.

Both options presented unacceptable disruption, cost, and time impacts. The client needed a faster, non-invasive approach that could:

  • Strengthen the deep clay soils to 4.8 m,
  • Re-level the building safely and precisely,
  • Avoid excavation and allow renovation work to proceed quickly,
  • Eliminate further drift from the neighbouring property,
  • Deliver a predictable, engineered outcome

Fast, precise and non-invasive — Geobear restored the Hamilton Park property in nine days, delivering structural lift and stability with minimal disruption.

Geobear Solution

Geobear implemented a two-phase geopolymer injection strategy designed to improve the ground and re-level the structural frame with minimal disruption.

Phase One — Ground Improvement

A detailed site investigation was completed, including three boreholes to 5 m and a full drainage survey. This confirmed deep desiccation and weak soil conditions requiring improvement before lifting could begin.

Ground improvement works included:

  • Geopolymer injections to 4.8 m depth, increasing bearing capacity and mitigating clay shrinkage.
  • Installation of a temporary steel frame to stabilise the structure.
  • 38 injection points around the perimeter over a 19 m treatment length.
  • Continuous laser monitoring to ensure controlled movement.

This phase was completed in 5 days, enabling immediate progression to structural lifting.

Phase Two — Structural Lifting

Engineering data from detailed brick-course surveys enabled precise modelling of required lift.

  • Injection at 1 m intervals around internal and external walls.
  • Targeted treatment to restore alignment to the terrace-end wall.
  • Use of a dual-material geopolymer system for lift and bearing strength.
  • Up to 42 mm of controlled lift confirmed by laser monitoring.

The structural lifting phase was completed in 4 days, bringing the total programme to 9 days.

injections hamilton

 

Results

carbon saving hamilton park copy

 

Geobear delivered a structural restoration programme that was significantly faster, cleaner, and more sustainable than traditional underpinning.

  • Structural integrity restored — the building was stabilised and re-levelled with no further movement risk.
  • 9-day delivery vs. 9–11 weeks for underpinning — saving more than 80% of programme time.
  • 42 mm of precise structural lift achieved.
  • 1,481.48 kg CO₂e saved, a 25.52% reduction compared with underpinning.
  • No excavation or disruption — renovations continued immediately afterwards.
  • Full technical support provided throughout, including surveys and engineering consultation.

 

Customer testimonial

Wow it’s really fantastic! After experiencing structural issues at our Hamilton Park property, we were concerned about the safety, access and disruption traditional repairs would cause. Geobear’s treatment was remarkable — they stabilised our ground and achieved a 47 mm lift in just 9 days. Their non-invasive approach meant minimal disruption to our property. The speed and precision of the work was impressive and we’re delighted with the results. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Geobear to anyone facing similar foundation challenges. They delivered exactly what they promised with professionalism and expertise. Special thanks to Mr. Razwan for his outstanding support!

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