Copyright © 2011-24 Helical Pile World, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Home | Engineers | Manufacturers | Installation Contractors | News | Technical Advisors | Contact Us
Ram Jack Foundation Solutions Teams with Local Engineer to Provide a Very Creative Solution to Repair Two Failing Retaining Walls Adjacent to a Swimming Pool
July, 2013
Ram Jack Foundation Solutions
4122 Bennett Memorial Road
Suite 101
Durham, NC 27705
888.309.9727
Project Overview
The pool is situated in the backyard on a downward slope surrounded by a double retaining wall. The pool was beginning to slide away from the home and the double retaining walls were cracked and bowing outward.
The home was constructed in an area where there is subterranean rock formation. When the concrete pool was installed, it was backfield with rock from previous demolitions. Originally, the plan was to install tiebacks the traditional way to support a leaning retaining wall. But due to the amount of stone and rubble behind the wall and the pool posing as a barrier, Ram Jack proposed to install the tiebacks into compression to stabilize the wall by anchoring them in good soil moving away from the retaining walls.
Ram Jack Foundation Solutions owner, Rick Sykes, decided to take the reverse approach from typical tieback installations, and he designed a solution using a battered pile method - installing helicals in at approximately a 45-degree angle going away from the retaining walls. He consulted with the structural engineer who agreed that the compression approach would in fact provide the necessary support to prevent additional failure.
Once installation of the Ram Jack 1.66 inch helical tiebacks began, Sykes and his team had to make adjustments to the angle of each tieback in order to make sure each tieback would fit through both walls.
A total of (3) Ram Jack 2.875 in. Helical piles were installed to stabilize the retaining wall footing and prevent more settlement. A total of (11) Ram Jack helical tiebacks were installed to stabilize the bowing retaining wall. In addition, custom pile caps or plates were fabricated for the project and all welding was done on sight.
After Ram Jack Foundation Solutions completed the stabilization project, the owner had the facade modified to conceal the helical anchors.