Project Details:

Solution:

Drilled shafts were originally considered for the foundation support. However, it was determined that stone columns would provide the requisite bearing capacity and were more cost-effective and offered constructability advantages compared to drilled shafts. It was determined that support of floor slabs would not be required, and the ground improvement support would be for column, wall, and mat foundations only.

Approximately 500 stone columns were installed to an average depth of 13 ft and a maximum depth of 35 ft. The design provided for 1 in of post-construction settlement with a ½ in of differential settlement. The project was designed for maximum bearing pressures of 5,000 psf meeting the performance criteria of the new facility.  Menard successfully performed three load tests on stone columns to confirm the soil and column parameters assumed in the design. While two tests were initially planned, the third confirmed that a portion of stone columns– which were terminating in dense layers at shallower-than-anticipated depths – would still meet the design.

The building included a basement area where stone columns were also required to meet the performance. To allow for safe installation in the first-floor area near the basement cut slope, a second mobilization was required. The downtime allowed the contractor to construct and backfill against the basement wall, eliminating the slope stability concerns.

For a 7-story inpatient/outpatient healthcare facility in Akron, Menard successfully installed an estimated 500 Stone Columns.

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