Challenge
Structural cracking developed during renovation as ground movement affected foundations along the rear and gable elevations of the property.
Solution
Geobear’s ground improvement solution treated the affected foundations in two days without excavation, spoil removal or heavy plant.
Works completed
Foundations treated in situ
Low-disruption delivery
A homeowner in Co. Kilkenny was carrying out renovation works when significant structural cracking was identified in the gable walls of the property.
The cracking indicated movement in the ground beneath the foundations, requiring a remedial solution before the wider renovation could progress. A general contractor was managing the project on the homeowner’s behalf and commissioned a drainage survey as part of the investigation.
The findings from that investigation informed the design of the remedial treatment. The contractor required an approach capable of addressing the ground movement while minimising disruption to the renovation programme already under way.
The affected area included the rear elevation and part of the gable of the property.
The principal engineering issue was movement beneath the foundations, which had manifested as significant structural cracking. The treatment therefore needed to address the weakened ground supporting the affected parts of the building.
The renovation programme created an additional operational constraint. A solution involving extensive excavation around and beneath the building would have added significant work, spoil removal and disruption at a time when other construction activity was already taking place.
A drainage investigation had also been undertaken before treatment, so the drainage system needed to be considered and monitored during the remediation works.
Mass concrete underpinning was the main conventional alternative considered.
For this property, underpinning would have required substantial excavation beneath the affected foundations along the rear elevation and gable. The project documentation states that this would also have involved significant spoil removal and a considerably longer programme of works, making it difficult to accommodate within the contractor’s renovation schedule. OPP111404 _ Callan, Co. Kilkenn…
Geobear instead proposed a ground improvement solution that could treat the affected foundation areas without conventional underpinning excavation.
The treatment was carried out using targeted geopolymer injection into the weakened ground beneath the foundations. This allowed the ground to be treated in situ without the need for heavy excavation equipment or extensive removal and reinstatement works.
Drain monitoring was undertaken during the treatment programme, reflecting the findings of the earlier drainage investigation.
The complete Geobear works were delivered within a two-day site programme.
Geobear designed a solution to treat the weakened ground beneath the foundations of the rear elevation and gable while allowing the wider renovation project to continue.
Targeted geopolymer injection was used to improve the ground supporting the affected foundations. The treatment was delivered without excavation, spoil removal or heavy plant.
All Geobear works were completed within two days, with the project documentation reporting no disruption to the wider renovation programme.
Drain monitoring was also carried out during the works, providing additional information on the condition of the drainage system beneath the property.
The contractor had previously specified mass concrete underpinning on other projects and highlighted the contrast between the two approaches, particularly the reduced scale of site works and short treatment programme.
| Mass concrete underpinning | Geobear ground improvement |
|---|---|
| Excavation beneath foundations | No foundation excavation |
| Significant spoil removal | No spoil removal |
| Longer works programme | Completed in 2 days |
| Greater impact on renovation works | Renovation programme maintained |
| Larger site operation | No heavy plant required |
This comparison is based specifically on the alternative considered for this project rather than a generic comparison between the two methods.
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