Early detection of problems plus effective stabilization of the foundation with Georesin

The house is only six years old. At first glance, it looks like a regular modern private house with no visible problems. The facade looks even, the foundation has no visible damage, and the geometry of the building does not arouse suspicion.

However, during cosmetic repairs, the owner noticed several small but characteristic signs: thin cracks near the window openings and small deformations in the area where the walls adjoin the foundation.

To a non-specialist, these might seem like ordinary “shrinkage” cracks, but it is precisely such signals that often become the first indicators of deeper processes in the soil base.

Engineering survey

During the building inspection, engineers conducted a structural inspection and analyzed the condition of the foundation.

It was recorded:

• Cracks in the window opening area;
• Uneven subsidence of the strip foundation;
• Insufficient compaction of the soil base.

Practice shows that in such cases, the source of the problem is rarely in the foundation itself. Most often, the root cause is changes in the characteristics of the soil under the building.

In this case, the soil gradually lost its density due to water saturation. Water, penetrating into the pore space, weakens the soil structure, reduces its bearing capacity and promotes local leaching of particles.

As a result, individual areas of the base begin to work unevenly.

The fact that the owner drew attention to the problem at an early stage played a key role. This allowed the situation to be stabilized without complex construction interventions and large-scale reconstruction of the foundation.

Why is this critical?

When the foundation begins to settle unevenly, additional stresses arise in the building’s structures that were not designed for during design.

Over time, this can lead to:

• enlargement and opening of cracks in walls and ceilings;
• skewing of load-bearing walls;
• deformation of floors and internal partitions;
• damage to utilities (water supply, sewage, heating systems).

If the subsidence process continues, it can significantly affect the reliability and durability of the building.

That is why it is important to conduct an engineering survey at an early stage and determine the cause of deformations, and not just eliminate the external manifestations of the problem.

Technical solution

To stabilize the base, a design and engineering solution was developed using GeoResin Deep Lifting & Floor Lifting technology, which included:

• strengthening and consolidating the soil base under the foundation;
• local stabilization of areas of uneven subsidence;
• restoring the required soil density.

The principle of operation of the technology

The work is carried out through small-diameter technological holes, which are drilled at points determined by engineers in accordance with a previously developed technical solution and engineering calculations.

A special geopolymer material is injected into the soil base through these holes.

Once introduced, the material reacts and expands rapidly. Several important physical processes occur during the expansion process:

• displacement of water from soil pores;
• compaction of the surrounding soil massif;
• forming a rigid composite structure in the base.

As a result, a stable reinforced mass is created under the foundation, which increases the bearing capacity of the soil and ensures stabilization of the foundation.

Progress and deadlines

The full range of work was completed in 7 calendar days.

An important feature of the technology is that it allows you to work as delicately as possible with respect to the existing building.

Without large-scale earthworks.

Injection is performed locally, without excavating the foundation and dismantling structures.

Without stopping the operation of the house.

All work is carried out without creating significant inconvenience for residents.

Result

The project included:

• an engineering survey of the building was carried out;
• a technical solution has been developed and agreed with the customer;
• The soil base of the foundation has been strengthened.

Thanks to injection technology, the root cause of the deformations was eliminated. The density of the soils was restored to the required level, and a waterproof stabilizing massif was formed in the soil base, which eliminates further washing away.

The foundation of the house was stabilized, and the building structures were protected from further deformation.

The customer received a 10-year warranty on the work performed.