CASE STUDYEVERGLADES CITY HELICAL INSTALLATION

Located just a few miles east of Marco Island is the historic, small-town fishing village of Everglades City. The small community is full of unexpected whimsy and wonder and a glance of past times. In Everglades City, you’ll find fisherman and local artists selling their wares and catch. Waterfront restaurants serve delicious stone crabs and fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

ANALYSIS

Our office was contacted when a general contractor in Everglades City had a need to develop a solid foundation to repair emergency stair wells after their existing foundations failed. The general contractor for the project, D.A. George & Sons Construction, Inc. needed to devise a plan to remove egress and ingress stairways to provide tenet access to their homes. Once inspected, helicals were recommended to create a solid foundation within unstable soil conditions.

This project entailed the installation of helical pilings to support new stairs. As projects without soil borings are difficult to price, and can become quite costly if the proper depths are unable to be reached during installation a geotechnical exploration was recommended. South Naples, Florida has historically showcased a levels of hard lime rock throughout the geographical area usually within 10 feet of the surface. As many areas were originally swamp lands with deep layers of peat, without rock formations close to the surface. Prior to moving forward, the contractor was advised of this possible scenario and notified the client accordingly.

SOLUTION

Coastal Foundation Solutions provided expert installation staff and equipment resources for the installation of eight (8) helical pilings. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our services were delayed because of regulatory permitting and local building permits. Once contracted, our team installed a combo-piling configuration to bear into the lime rock at a depth of 21-foot.

RESULT

Our specialty foundation piling experience allows us to perform multidisciplinary efficiencies that allow us to maintain project momentum. We commenced installation of “Chance” helical piling to a depth of 21-foot into hard stratum. However, two of the pilings travel to a depth of 42 foot and encountered refusal. The contractor and homeowner were immediately contacted and made aware of the additional piling depth and approved progressing to refusal.