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Ram Jack San Antonio Installs (46) Helical Piles & Slab Brackets to Stabilize a Swimming Pool that Experienced Settlement in San Antonio, TX
Fall 2025
Problem
At the Elevate at Kitty Hawk Apartments in San Antonio, settlement issues developed beneath the community pool due to improperly compacted soil during original construction. The pool structure required stabilization to prevent continued movement while avoiding full demolition and extended downtime for residents.
Fortunately, soil borings completed during the apartment complex’s original planning were available. These borings, provided by GeoIntec, offered valuable subsurface data that would later support the remedial design. The goal was clear: develop an engineered solution capable of holding the pool in position while allowing the property to return to normal operation as quickly as possible.
Proposed Solution
Fortified Engineering led the engineering analysis; Darin Willis, P.E., Sr. Engineer, and John Strickland, P.E., reviewed the available soil borings along with the structural loads derived from the original pool construction drawings. Based on this data, they developed helical system specifications and completed pile analysis tailored specifically to the pool basin structure.
The engineered plan called for the installation of 46 slab bracket helicals using 2 7/8-inch upset shafts with an 8-inch/10-inch twin helix configuration. The plan specified capacities of 15 kip and 20 kip, with helicals spaced approximately 6 to 8 feet apart throughout the basin. The pool shell, measuring 10 inches thick, allowed the slab bracket system to effectively engage the structure.
Prior to installation, the team contracted Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) locating to confirm utility line locations, verify slab thickness, and validate rebar spacing. Preparation work included coring 10-inch diameter by 10-inch deep holes at each installation location. Helicals were then advanced through these cores to their required depths and torque capacities.
After all 46 helicals were installed in their engineered positions, the contractor, MC Aquatic, reset the skimmer drains and coping to ensure a consistent and even deck elevation.
Outcome
Ram Jack San Antonio completed the slab bracket helical installation in just five days. Following installation, the contractor sealed the 10-inch core holes, resurfaced the interior of the pool, and replaced coping and surface drains as needed.
The pool was fully operational and back in use by residents within two weeks of the helical installation.
Through coordination between Aqueous Engineering as Engineer of Record, Fortified Engineering, MC Aquatic, and Ram Jack San Antonio, the project successfully addressed the settlement concerns while minimizing disruption to the multifamily community.
