Support of Excavation and Underpinning

Service Overview

Construction in an urban setting places a critical emphasis on the protection of adjacent structures and streets. This is equally important for (1) small projects such as row homes with deeper basements than the adjacent, existing ones, and (2) for major high-rise buildings where the excavation can be over 40 ft deep.

GeoStructures has considerable experience in the design and special inspections of conventional support of excavation (SOE) and underpinning/shoring systems, as well as innovative approaches whereby the designed system serves a dual-function of excavation support and permanent basement wall. This is especially important in situations with tight property line restrictions, uncooperative neighbors, and difficult subsurface conditions with a high water table.

When it comes to rehabilitation and underpinning of existing foundations, our strength in finite element analysis enables us to accurately model the foundation behavior and establish the most reliable rehabilitation scheme. In coordination with the owner, engineer, or architect, we often design the selected rehabilitation system, provide complete drawings and specifications, and monitor its implementation. This gives us significant advantages over proprietary contractors who may tend to utilize one system or another without due evaluation and cost comparison.

Service Offerings

Finite Element Analysis

Use advanced computational models to simulate and predict the behavior of excavation and foundation systems. This helps in designing more reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Design of Rehabilitation Systems

Develop detailed drawings and specifications for the repair and strengthening of existing foundations. This includes collaboration with owners and architects to choose the best rehabilitation method.

Monitoring and Implementation

Supervise the application of underpinning and excavation support systems to ensure they are executed according to the design specifications and safely.

Helical Piers

Install screw-like piers into the ground to provide foundational support for structures, especially useful in areas with poor soil conditions.

Tieback Anchors

Use anchored rods to support retaining walls and slopes, transferring the load from the structure to a stable ground layer.

Earth Retaining Systems

Design and implement systems such as soldier piles, tiebacks, and lagging boards to retain soil in excavation sites.

Underpinning Design and Inspection

Create underpinning solutions for structures needing deeper foundations, including continuous inspection to ensure the integrity and safety of the process.

Newark, New Jersey

Passaic River Deep Braced Excavation Modeling

Schoor DePalma planned a deep braced sheet pile excavation to remove contaminated soil and an existing bulkhead along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey….

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Schuylkill Yards West Tower

Schuylkill Yards is planned on 14 acres of land owned by Drexel and Brandywine Realty Trust and includes a 6.5-acre public space. The next step…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Cheesecake Factory at 15th and Walnut Streets

Now home to the Cheesecake Factory, this 15th and Walnut Streets development originally began as three tagged vacant buildings. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the sleek…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1620 Sansom Street

A proposed 28-story mixed-use high-rise building is planned at 1620 Sansom Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building will host an underground parking garage, 306 residential…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Olive Court Condominiums

The city of Philadelphia has been in the midst of a 21st century townhouse and condominium building boom as it rediscovers its historic and cultural…

Newark, New Jersey

Passaic River Deep Braced Excavation Modeling

Schoor DePalma planned a deep braced sheet pile excavation to remove contaminated soil and an existing bulkhead along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey….

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Schuylkill Yards West Tower

Schuylkill Yards is planned on 14 acres of land owned by Drexel and Brandywine Realty Trust and includes a 6.5-acre public space. The next step…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Cheesecake Factory at 15th and Walnut Streets

Now home to the Cheesecake Factory, this 15th and Walnut Streets development originally began as three tagged vacant buildings. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the sleek…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1620 Sansom Street

A proposed 28-story mixed-use high-rise building is planned at 1620 Sansom Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building will host an underground parking garage, 306 residential…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Olive Court Condominiums

The city of Philadelphia has been in the midst of a 21st century townhouse and condominium building boom as it rediscovers its historic and cultural…

Bashar Qubain Ph.D., P.E.

FOUNDER, PRESIDENT, AND CHIEF ENGINEER