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CASE STUDYFINN FARMS, PUNTA GORDA HELICAL INSTALLATION

HELICAL ANCHORS FOR A HYDROPONIC FARM AT BABCOCK RANCHPROJECT INFORMATION

A new automated hydroponic farm at Babcock Ranch is designed to produce fresh lettuces and herbs for more than a million Southwest Floridians. The farm is an alternative to traditional open field farming and a part of the answer to the harsh growing conditions that climate change promises to intensify in the sub-tropics or locations across the globe.

Finn Farms a solar-powered greenhouse will begin production in 2021 that will continue every day, bringing fresh produce to our area.

ANALYSIS

The hydroponic farm requires vast amounts of water to operate a facility of this proportion. The project called for six (6) 18,000-gallon water tanks and two (2) 7,500-gallon water tanks to be installed. The tanks were located in area with a high ground water table and the possibility of the tanks floating. It was determined that the tanks would require anchors to be installed to preclude the tanks from becoming buoyant.

SOLUTION

Coastal Foundation Solutions was contacted by one of our environmental consulting engineers who referred us to the Finn Farms construction team. After initial conversations and design criteria exchange it was mutually determined that helical anchors were the best solution for anchoring the water storage tanks. Coastal Foundation Solutions did not have any geotechnical exploration or soil classification reports to determine subsurface conditions. In the event that we might encounter poor soil conditions, an alternate helical pile design was completed.

PRODUCT

Coastal Foundation Solutions proposed to anchor the fiberglass reinforced tanks with a 1 ½ square shaft helical with multiple helix flights.
The five (5) 17,500 – gallon water tanks would be secured with a SS150 Lead: 10” x 12” x 14” Galvanized Square Shaft lead section, 38” L Extension, 16” Helix Extension, SS150 Galvanized Square Shaft Extensions, and 6”x6” by ½” steel termination plate with 4” D-ring attachment to a depth of 28-foot

We anchored the other two (2) tanks ea. 5’ 3” Dia. By 13’ 9 3/8” in length fiberglass tanks with a RS2875.203 10” x 12” x 14” Round Helix Lead Sections With 2 7/8” 7-Foot Extension and Galvanized Construction Cap. To a depth of 21-foot.

Working Tension Capacity: 15-tons

Throughout the project Coastal Helical Solutions encountered subsurface rock, we were unable to penetrate the helical piling through the layer of lime rock. We installed an additional helical between each originally proposed helical for additional support. The additional helical anchors were Install SS150 Lead: 8” x 10” x 12” Galvanized Square Shaft lead sections, SS150 Galvanized Square Shaft Extensions, and 8” x 8” x .5” flat plates to a depth of 12-foot.

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