UNDERPINNING INTRODUCTION

Underpinning is the process of strengthening or stabilizing the existing foundation of a structure or building. Underpinning is the process of supporting a building while the foundations are rebuilt or during adjacent excavations. Underpinning means the rebuilding or deepening of the foundation of an existing building to provide additional or improved support. Underpinning is the installation of temporary or permanent support to an existing foundation to provide either additional depth or an increase in bearing capacity.

How does underpinning works?

Underpinning is done by extending the depth or width of an existing foundation so it can rest on a more rigid soil formation and can distribute load to a greater area.

Why UNDERPINING IS NEEDED?

The original foundation is simply not strong or stable enough

The usage of the structure has changed.

The properties of the soil supporting the foundation may have changed (possibly through subsidence) or were mischaracterized during design. It is more economical, due to land price or otherwise, to work on the present structure's foundation than to build a new one. The construction of nearby structures necessitates the excavation of soil supporting existing foundations.

Purpose of underpinning
i. To strengthen the shallow footing of the existing building. When a building with deep foundation is to be constructed adjoining to it. ii. To safeguard against the danger of excessive or differential settlement of foundation of existing structure. iii. To deepen the existing foundation to increase its bearing capacity so as to sustain heavier loads may be by extending of shores. iv. To support a structure that is sinking or tilting due to ground subsidence or instability of the super structure. v. As a safe guard against possible settlement of the structure when excavating close to or below its foundation level. vi. vii. viii. Underpinning is generally used for remedial purposes. To improve the future performance of the existing foundation. To modify the existing foundation system

Mass Concrete Underpinning

Beam and base underpinning

Mini-piled Underpinning

TYPES OF UNDERPINNING

Traditional Strip Foundation

Pit Underpinning

Piles Underpinning

MASS CONCRETE UNDERPINNING

i. Also known as traditional underpinning, the mass concrete underpinning method is nearly 100 years in age ii. This underpinning method strengthen an existing structure foundation by digging boxes by hand underneath and sequentially puring concrete in a strategic order. The final result is basically a foundation built underneath the existing foundation. iii. This underpinning method is generally applied when the existing foundation is at a shallow depth; however, the method still works very well even at fifty feet deep. iv. Heavy machinery is not called for in this method due to the tight nature of the boxes being dug. v. Each excavated pit is then backfilled with concrete.

BEAM AND BASE UNDERPINNING 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 transfer the load of the building to mass concrete bases, which are constructed at designed strategic locations. Base sizes and depths are dependant upon the prevailing ground conditions. Beam design is dependant upon the configuration of the building and the applied loads.

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.

Base sizes and depths are dependent upon the prevailing ground conditions. Beam design is dependent upon the configuration of the building and the applied loads.

MINI-PILED UNDERPINNING
i. Mini-piles have the greatest value where ground condition are very variable, where access is restrictive, where environment pollution aspects are significant, and where structural movement in service must be minimal ii. Mini-piled underpinning is generally used when the loads from the foundations need to be transferred to stable soils at considerable depths usually in excess of 5.0 metres. Mini-piles may either be augured or driven steel cased, and are normally between 150mm and 300mm diameter. iii. Mini-piles are installed to either side of the affected wall, a pocket of brickwork is then removed below ground level then a pre-fabricated steel cage is installed to span over the two piles. iv. Structural engineers will use rigs which are specifically designed to operate in environments with restricted headroom and limited space, and can gain access through a regular domestic doorway. They are capable of constructing piles to depths of up to 15 metres. v. These mini-piles must be designed to work in tension and compression, depending on the orientation and application of the design. In Detail, attention with design must be paid analytically to settlement, bursting , buckling, cracking, and interface consideration, whereas, from a practical viewpoint, corrosion resistance and compatibility with the existing ground and structure must be regarded.

TRADITIONAL STRIP FOUNDATION

I. II. III. IV. Easy and simple underpinning. The processes begin with excavation of square pit under the existing foundation. The excavation of square pit must be in alternate. The square pit fill up with concrete or brick until connected to bottom surface of foundation. V. The space between underpinning and bottom surface of foundation will filled with dry concrete and compact perfectly to avoid shrinkage and settlement. VI. VII. The depth of each pit is 1.2 meter to 1.5 meter for the normal work. Usually 6 pits will be excavating in every work operation and following another 6 pits.

PIT UNDERPINNING
i. ii. 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. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. Requires careful and skilled work as loss of ground will cause building settlement. Column/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. Pit is extended laterally to reach under the foundation to be underpinned. The foundation s then deepened to the required depth. Vertical formwork is built in the pit and then is concreted up to the foundation. Difficult to use below water level. Workable above water table in dry ground.

PILES UNDERPINNING i. This technique is used to overcome the extremely difficult working circumstances encountered when pit underpinning action become unsuitable. ii. iii. Piles are often used water condition make it difficult to dig below the footing. Bored or drilled, cast in-situ concrete piles

a) A series of holes are drilled along the length of the existing foundation. b) Some hand working is done to create a bearing surface under the old foundation. c) Say every second or third one is partly filled with concrete. d) After the concrete in these holes is set a small but powerful hydrauline jack is used to lift the existing foundations. e) The machine that augers the holes, quite often has the jack as an accessory and it is drive by a hose connected to the machine hydraulic system. f) The gap is packed with steel packers and the jack withdrawn and used again.

g) When the correct height is reached and the foundation securely packed they are filled with mass concrete, or with a re-bar cage and concrete.