Earth Support Corp

Carry existing loads to competent strata and arrest settlement.

Underpinning

We offer structural underpinning services using driven precast concrete piles to strengthen foundations.

Cross-section

Schematic cross-section of an existing footing underpinned by driven precast concrete piles carried down to a competent bearing stratum.An illustrative section through a foundation underpinning system. An existing wall and spread footing sit at the surface on unsuitable urban fill. Beneath the footing, a section has been exposed and temporarily shored. Two driven precast concrete piles are advanced from just below the footing down through fill and soft Boston blue clay to refusal on dense glacial till, the competent bearing stratum. A new reinforced pile cap is cast under the existing footing so the structural load transfers onto the piles, arresting settlement. Subsurface bands from top to bottom are urban fill, Boston blue clay, glacial till, and argillite bedrock. Schematic only, not to scale, pending professional-engineer review.Urban FillBoston Blue ClayGlacial TillArgillite / Bedrock
Schematic — illustrative, not for construction; pending PE review.

Callouts

Select a numbered part below to read what it is and what it does.

Typical spec

Plain-language view of the same typical ranges.

Pile size
10–14 in sq.
Cross-section of the driven concrete piles.Precast section sized for driving stresses and the structural/geotechnical capacity demand.
Load each pile carries
40–100 tons
Typical working load taken by a single pile.Allowable capacity = ultimate / factor of safety; confirmed by driving criteria or load test.
What it bears on
Glacial till / bedrock
The strong layer the piles reach.Bearing in glacial till / bedrock; refusal criteria set by the geotechnical engineer.
Allowed movement
Per structural design
How little the foundation is allowed to move.Total/differential settlement limits per the structural design and serviceability check.

How it goes in

  1. 01

    Expose & shore

    Sections beneath the existing footing are carefully exposed and temporarily supported.

  2. 02

    Install piles

    Driven precast concrete piles (or micropiles) are advanced to a competent bearing stratum.

  3. 03

    Transfer the load

    The structural load is transferred onto the new piles, arresting settlement and stabilizing the foundation.

Equipment on this work

  • Caterpillar 336 tracked hydraulic excavator

    Caterpillar 336

    Tracked hydraulic excavator

Equipment shown as illustrative renderings.

Where it fits

  • Strengthening foundations for added loads
  • Arresting differential settlement
  • Enabling adjacent deep excavation
  • Foundation repair on soft ground

Frequently asked

Related projects

Illustrative tear sheets — example case studies pending verification.

Ready to scope your foundation?

Tell us about the project and we'll put together a detailed quote within 3 days. We generally work with general contractors.

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