The Ultimate Automobile Manufacturing Guide

3 Ways To Address A Sinking Foundation Under Your Riverside Factory

21 August 2018 by Carlos Sullivan

When you construct a factory on a river bank in order to utilize the nearby river for water and/or hydroelectric power, you can expect your foundation at some point to begin sinking. That is because the riverbanks are always made of the softest, moistest soil and sand and because the weight of your factory building is compressing on that soft soil. However, there are three ways to address this problem that include both preventive and restorative measures.

1. Post-Tensioning Concrete Slabs

When you first construct the foundation of your factory, ask your contractor to post-tension the concrete slab foundation. What this does is "pre-stress" your foundation so that if and when it starts to sink, it will not immediately crack and become uneven. It will maintain its tensile strength until you can address the sinking issue.

2. Soil Grouting

Soil grouting can either be done during the construction of the foundation or as the foundation begins to show signs of sinking. If you opt for the former, the foundation will hold up a lot longer and fail to sink as soon as predicted or expected. It will take longer for the soil under your factory's foundation to erode. If you opt for the latter, then you will discover where the soil is weakest under your foundation. The soil grouting contractor will return to inject the soil under the sinking areas and inject it with grout. The result is an elevated-to-normal foundation, and the prevention of any more erosion and/or sinking foundation.

3. Underground Bracing

Underground bracing is only typically used when a factory has a sub-story or basement. While this is certainly possible, depending on what your factory produces, it is uncommon. Still, if such a level exists in your factory's foundation, underground bracing of the walls prevents and stops the foundation from sinking. Underground bracing can also help with major structural damage if your factory ever encounters such a problem.

In the midst of your construction, or years after your factory has been in operation, a concrete contractor can do most of the above. You may also contract foundation specialists, foundation repair companies, and structural engineers. Any one or more of these professionals can help you build, protect, prevent, and maintain a stronger foundation on a riverbank. It also helps to fortify the banks with levees and build dams to control the flow of the river, with which an engineer can assist you. 

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