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Dixie piles rapidly stabilise subsiding properties

Client:	Rykneld Homes in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council
Location:	Ashover, Derbyshire
Approved Installer:	Specialist UK Restorations
Reference No:	CS151

Built in the early 1960's, two storey Malthouse Flats are council owned properties that had developed structural problems. The masonry cracking was identified as being the result of subsidence due to inadequacies in the foundations.

The client commissioned a detailed ground investigation and, during excavation works, contractors discovered some cellars belonging to terraced houses that had previously occupied the site.

Cost-effective structural repairs were required that would rectify the faults and stabilise the properties, preventing any further subsistence and building damage.

The Helifix solution

Using the client's ground investigations, Helifix devised a suitable repair scheme using its Dixie micro-piles, to overcome the subsidence problems, and the Helibeam System to secure the damaged masonry. Dixie micro-piles were specified as they could be rapidly and efficiently installed using lightweight equipment. They caused minimal disruption to the residents, as all works were undertaken externally, and provided a rapid cost-effective solution.

Holes were dug adjacent to the foundations and notches cut into the building's footings. Nine micro-piles were then driven to a depth of 10m in order to reach the load bearing bedrock and achieve the required torque.
Adjustable 'L' shaped brackets were fitted to the piles and placed under the foundations. They were then jacked up until the specified safe working load was achieved, with the piles then fully supporting the building loads.
Approximately 60m of stainless steel HeliBars were bonded into appropriate mortar beds with HeliBond cementitious grout to stitch the cracked brickwork and restore structural integrity. The Dixie micro-piles caused minimal disruption to the residents, as all works were undertaken externally, and provided a rapid cost-effective solution which left the properties visually unaltered.