UNDERPINNING

CONTENT
1.0

2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0

INTRODUCTION
1.1DEFINITION
1.2 PURPOSE
CAUSES OF FOUNDATION FAILURE
SYMPTOMS OF FOUNDATION FAILURE
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
TEMPORARY WORKS
TYPES OF UNDERPINNING
COST
CASE STUDIES
CONCLUSION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Underpinning

is

the

process

of

modifying
an
existing
foundation system by extending into
subsurface stratum that is deeper & more
stable than the near surface soil that
supports the existing foundation system.

This is done to provide vertical

support that is not present in the
existing design.

Also to increase the load bearing

capacity of a foundation.

WHY UNDERPINNING?
The main objective of most underpinning
work is to transfer the load carried by a
foundation from its existing bearing level to
a new level

1.1 DEFINITION
Methods of underpinning include:
the construction of footings
stem walls
driven pilings for drilled piers.
The underpinning, if properly designed &
installed, provides the basis to lift the
structure to a more acceptable elevation &
provides vertical support to prevent the
underpinned area from settling.

1.1 PURPOSE
To support a structure that is
sinking or tilting

Act as safeguard against possible

settlement
To support a structure while
making alteration
Enable the foundation to be
deepened
To increase the width of a
foundation to permit heavier loads

Conversion

Protective

Others
purposes
of
underpinning

Mining

Remedial

Notify the
Adjoining
Owners

Detailed
Survey

Investigation

General
precautions

Indicators

Technical
Expertise's

2.0 CAUSES OF FOUNDATION FAILURE

Many houses are constructed with foundations that
are inadequate for the soil conditions existing on
the site because:

The lack of suitable land,

Homes are often built on marginal land that has
insufficient bearing capacity to support the
substantial weight of a structure.
Near surface soils consist predominately of
expansive clays that shrink & swell as their
moisture content changes.
If the bearing soils consist of expansive clays,
foundation movement can occur if wetting and
drying of the clays does not occur uniformly across
the entire slab.

So it is due to
Overloading of
Foundations

Movement of
Soil below
Foundations

Consolidation of
Soil below
Foundations

Differential
Settlement in
Foundation

Undermining Of
Foundations

Any of the following

can cause moisture in
the soil to fluctuate:

Vegetation (roots)
poor drainage
plumbing leaks
Evaporation
wet/dry
rain cycles

3.0 SYMPTOMS OF FOUNDATION FAILURE

The signs of foundation
failure are:
- doors that do not close
properly anymore
- windows that stick
- diagonal cracks in the
interior & exterior walls
- Small cracks in the
foundation or floor &
uneven floors.

4.0 SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

SERVE
NOTICE

LOADING ON
STRUCTURE

GLASS
SLIPS

DETAILED
SURVEY

FORECAST ANY
FUTURE
MOVEMENT

SERIES OF
CHECK
LEVELS

PERMISSION

4.0 SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Before any underpinning is commenced the
following surveying & preliminary work should be
carried out:
1.Serve notice of adjoining owners
2.Setting out in detail the intention
3.Proceed in the proposed temporary supports.
4.Detailed survey of the building to be underpinned
5.Records of detected, cracks, supplement by
photographs.
6.Glass slips should be fixed cross any vertical and
lateral cracks to give visual indicator of any further
movement taking place.

4.0 SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Before any underpinning is commenced the
following surveying & preliminary work should be
carried out (contd)
7.Levels check periodically.
8.Permission from adjoining owners to stop all flues
and fireplace to prevent nuisance and damage.
9.Underpinning
is
required
to
counteract
unacceptable settlement of the existing foundation
forecast any future movement to ensure the design
is adequate.
10.Loading on structure should be needed by
removing floor loads and installing any shoring that
may necessary.

5.0 TEMPORARY WORKS

installations required to provide access,
protection, support, or services for workers,
equipment & materials during the construction,
renovation, retrofit, maintenance, or demolition of
permanent works
Required to provide temporary service, repair, or
support for any part of permanent works, until the
permanent works have achieved a state of
completion allowing temporary works to be
removed.

 Shoring & temporary bracing for masonry walls

and structural frames, and shoring for excavation
and trenches;
Temporary underpinning & guying, & roof and
parapet anchors;
Caissons, cofferdams and tunnels;
Access scaffolding for construction purposes;
Cranes & crane foundations;
Environmental encapsulation during the removal
of hazardous materials;
Protection of vehicular & pedestrian traffic during
construction;
Provisions for loading testing
Temporary piping, electrical, mechanical and
heating services

For the underpinning works, the most

important temporary work is shoring.
Shoring is temporary support applied to a
building or structure. The following
situations may justify application of
shoring:
To give support to walls which are
dangerous or are likely to become
unstable due to subsidence, bulging or
leaning during the underpinning works.
To avoid failure of sound walls caused
by the removal of a subjacent support
such as where the underpinning work is
being constructed near to a sound wall.
During the underpinning works to give
support to an adjacent building or
structure.
To support the upper part of a wall
during formation of a large opening in the
section of the wall during underpinning
works.

6.0 TYPES OF UNDERPINNING

6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10

CONTINOUS TRADITIONAL UNDERPINNING

PRETEST METHOD UNDERPINNING
MIGA OR JACK UNDERPINNING
BORED PILE UNDERPINNING
CANTILEVER BEAMS UNDERPINNING
NEEDLE BEAMS UNDERPINNING
PYNFORD
STOOL
METHOD
UNDERPINNING
BULLIVANT PATENT ANGLE PILING
HOOPSAVE METHOD
OTHER METHODS OF UNDERPINNING

OF

6.1 CONTINOUS TRADITIONAL

UNDERPINNING / WALL UNDERPINNING
Traditional underpinning to prevent fracture, damage of
settlement of the wall(s) being underpinned the work
should always carried out in short lengths called legs bay.
The length of these bays will depend upon the following
factors:

Total length of wall to be underpinned.

Wall loading.

General state of repair and stability of wall and

foundation to be underpinned.

Nature of subsoil beneath existing foundation.

Estimate spanning ability of existing foundation.

 Excavating in stages alongside and underneath

the existing foundation
Casting new foundation
Building up to the underside of the existing
foundation in brickwork or concrete
Pinning between the old and new work with a rich
dry mortar.
To prevent dangers of fracture / settlement
underpinning stages or bays should be kept short
and formed to a definite sequence pattern so that
no two bays are worked consecutively.

The number and length of bays will

depend upon the following factors:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Total length of wall to be underpinned

Width of the existing foundation
Condition of substructure
Superimposed loading of existing foundation
Estimated spanning stability of existing
foundation
vi. Subsoil condition encountered

Note:
General maximum length is 1:500m
with the provision that at no time
should the sum total of unsupported
lengths exceed 25% of the total wall
length.

Process of underpinning:
i.
Bays are excavated and timbered
ii. Bottom of excavation prepared to receive new
foundation
iii. To give the new foundation strip continuity dowel bars
are inserted at the end of each bay.
iv. Brick and concrete block is toothed at each end to
enable continuous bonding
v. Brickwork common brick 1:3 cement mortar laid in
English Bond, concrete block work compressive
strength of 7N/mm2, preferably 10N/mm2. Concrete
used in underpinning 1:2:4/20mm aggregate mix
using rapid-hardening cement.
vi. The projection of existing foundation is cut back to the
external wall line so that loads are transmitted to the
new foundation.

Bays & Stages Of Excavation

Process Of Underpinning

Installation Procedures
The procedures for installation traditional underpinning are:
Traditional Underpinning is usually applied when the
existing foundations are at shallow depth. Bays are
excavated generally 1.0m 1.2m in length, 0.6m
wide, and up to 2.5m from ground level. However a
mini piled solution would be more economical over
depths of 1.5m.
Bays are excavated and timbered as necessary after
which the bottom of the excavation is prepared to
receive the new foundation. To give the new foundation
strip continuity, dowel bar are inserted at the end of each
bay.
Brick and concrete block underpinning is toothed at each
end to enable the bonding to be continuous, whereas insitu concrete underpinning has splice bars or dowels
projecting to provide the continuity. Brickwork mould
normally is in a dense clay common brick bedded in
(1:3) cement mortar laid in English bond for strength.

Installation Procedures (contd)

The procedures for installation traditional underpinning are:
Concrete block work should meet manufacturers
specifications and have a compressive strength of
7N/mm2, preferably 10N/mm2. Concrete used in
underpinning is usually specified as (1:2:4-20 mm
aggregate) mix using rapid-hardening cement.
The final pinning mix should consists of one part rapidhardening cement to three parts of well graded fine
aggregate from 10mm down to fine sand with a
water/cement ratio of 0.35. In both methods the
projection of existing foundation is cut back to the
external wall line so that the loads are transmitted to the
new foundation strip on the backfilled material.

6.2 PRETEST METHOD UNDERPINNING

The method of underpinning and final pinning
will result in negligible movement due to
settlement of the new work, but in large and
heavy buildings a system of pre-compressing
the soil on which the new work will be carried
out by consolidating the soil under the new
foundation before the load form the
underpinning is applied. The perimeter of the
wall to be underpinned is excavated in stages
as described for wall underpinning.

Installation Procedures
The procedures for installation pre test underpinning
are:
First, the soil underneath the pile cap was excavated
in a volume sufficient to allow the installation of a
new pile.
Then, a pair of hydraulic jacks with a combined
capacity of 680 kN (153 kips) was mounted to the
underside of the pile cap as illustrated.
After positioning the first segment, the hydraulic
jacks were extended and the segment pushed into
the ground far enough to allow installation of the
following segment.
The connection rod was then threaded into the end
of the installed segment, epoxy was placed around
the bar and the top surface of the pile segment, and
the next segment was threaded onto the connection
rod projecting from the installed segment.

Installation Procedures (contd)

The procedures for installation pre test underpinning are:
The pile segments were tightened using a chain wrench
to a torque of approximately 125 to 190 N- m (92 to 140
lbf-ft). This process was repeated until the pile achieved
the required capacity of 600 KN (135 kips), which was
typically achieved at a depth ranging from 11 to 13 m (36
to 43 ft) for this project.
Once the pile had been advanced to a sufficient depth to
carry the required proof load, the installed pile was loaded
to 600kN (135 kips) for one hour while the settlement of
the pile was monitor
After completion of the proof test, each pile was locked off
under a load typically equivalent to 50% of the proof load.
This pre-loading of the new piles was accomplished by
means of sizing and installing steel transfer members
while the pile was still under the applied load from the
installation jacks.
At this stage, the pressure on the hydraulic jacks was
released, and the load was transferred to the permanent
steel transfer members.

6.3 MIGA OR JACK UNDERPINNING

This method can be used when the depth of suitable
bearing capacity subsoil is too deep to make traditional
underpinning uneconomic.
Jack pile underpinning is quiet vibration free and flexible
since the pile depth can be adjusted to suit subsoil
condition encountered.
The existing foundations must be in a good condition
since they will have to span over the heads of the pile
caps which are cast onto the jack pile heads after the
hydraulic jack have been removed.

Installation Procedures
This is the method which can be used in the following circumstances:
Depth of suitable bearing capacity subsoil is too deep to make
traditional wall underpinning practical or economic.
Where the system giving no vibration is required, it is worth noting
that this method is also practically noiseless.
If the system of variable depth is required.
The existing foundation is structurally sound.
The perimeter of the wall to be underpinned is excavated in stages
as described for wall underpinning. The high of excavation is 1.8m
and perimeter 1.5m. ( if using strip foundation)
The system consists of short precast concrete pile lengths jacked
into the ground until suitable subsoil is reached.
When the jack pile has reached the required depth the space
between the top of the pile and underside of the existing foundation
is filled with a pinned concrete cap.
The existing foundation must be in a good condition since in the
final context it will act as a beam spanning over the piles.
The condition and hence the spanning ability of the existing strip
foundation will also determine the spacing of the piles.

6.4 BORED PILE UNDERPINNING

Bored pile underpinning is using for replace the strip
foundation or pad foundation. Formation of the piles is quiet
and free of variation and can be carried out with headroom
of only 1.80m.
Installation Procedures
The perimeter of the wall to be underpinned is excavated in
stages as described for wall underpinning (if using strips
foundation)
The piles are bored at angle by means of a rotary drilling
rig, either directly through the foundation or from a point up
the wall.
When the hole has been drilled reinforcement is introduced,
a cement and sand grout is pumped in under pressure to
form the pile lining tube is extracted.

6.5 CANTILEVER BEAMS UNDERPINNING

This method stabilises existing wall foundations either internally or
externally whichever the most appropriate. Two mini-piles are installed,
one compression and one tension. A pocket is broken out into the
existing wall and a reinforced concrete beam is cast linking the two
piles.
This system is used where traditional underpinning is not appropriate
due to the existing foundations being deep, or that good-bearing strata
is so deep that it is uneconomical (Depth greater than 1.5m). Or needle
beams cannot be used due to access constraints.
Reducing the span between cantilevers can accommodate high loads.
However, the bearing capacity of the underlying strata will determine
the number, diameter and spacing of piles used.
Installation Procedures
Piles are installed at approximately 1.0m 1.5m centers and 1.2m apart
determined by loadings.
Then pockets are broken out and reinforced beams are placed to pick
up the walls.
Beams are usually cast alternate.

6.6 NEEDLE BEAMS UNDERPINNING

This method stabilizes wall foundations by the use of piles installed either
side of an existing wall.
A small pocket is broken out below the ground level and a reinforced
concrete needle beam is cast in-situ connecting the piles and supporting
the wall.
Reducing the span between needle beams can accommodate very high
loads.
However, the bearing capacity of the underlying strata will determine the
number, diameter and spacing of piles used.
Installation Procedures
This system is used where traditional underpinning is not appropriate due
to the existing foundations being too deep, or that good bearing strata is
so deep that it is uneconomical to dig. (Depths greater than 1.5m)
Piles are installed in pairs at 1.0m - 1.5m intervals and approximately
1.0m - 1.5m apart.
A small pocket is broken out below the ground level and a reinforced
concrete needle beam is cast in-situ connecting the piles and supporting
the wall.
Beams are usually cast alternate

6.7 PYNFORD STOOL METHOD OF

UNDERPINNING
This method can be used where the existing foundations are in a poor
condition and it enable the wall to be underpinned in a continuous run
without the need needle or shoring.
The reinforced concrete beam formed by this method may well be
adequate the spread the load of the existing wall or it may be used in
conjunction with other forms of underpinning such as traditional and jack
pile.
Installation Procedures
Holes is cut in position of beam to receive stool which is the concrete
blocks with holes so that the reinforcing bars can passed through it.
Stools is positioned and pinned. Use the steel stools for heavy loads and
pre cast concrete stools for light loads. Removed the brick wall between
stools.
Positioned the reinforcement fabrication around the stools. Erect the
formwork and cast the concrete beam.
Removed formwork and cured beam pinned to underside of existing
walls stools remain as an integral part of new beam.

6.8 BULLIVANT PATENT ANGLE PILING

This is a much simpler alternative to traditional underpinning
technique applying modern concrete drilling equipment to achieve
cost benefits through time saving.
The process is also considerably less disruptive as large volumes
of excavation are avoided.
Where sound bearing strata can be located within a few meters of
the surface, wall stability is achieved through lined reinforced
concrete piles installed in pairs at opposing angles.
The existing floor, wall and foundation are pre drilled with air
flushed percussion auger, giving access for a steel lining to be
driven through the low grade /clay subsoil until it impacts with firm
strata. The lining is cut to terminate at the underside of the
foundation and the void steel reinforced prior to concreting.

Purpose:
To stabilize existing substructural walls & foundation RC angle
piles installed by using air flushed rotary percussion drill from
inside & outside of the building
The voids are lined with steel casing cut off at the surface prior
to lowering of reinforcement and placing concrete
Short duration & minimal excavation involved
Installation Procedures:
Where a sound bearing strata can be located within a few
meters of the surface, wall stability is achieved through lined
reinforced concrete piles installed in pairs at opposing angles.
The existing floor, wall & foundation are predrilled with air
flushed percussion auger, giving access for a steel lining to be
driven through the low grade /clay subsoil until it impacts with
firm strata.
The lining is cut to terminate at the underside of the foundation
& the void steel reinforced prior to concreting

6.9 HOOPSAVE METHOD

Remedial treatment where differential settlement can be
identified
A limited amount of external excavation is needed to expose the
sub structural wall to a depth just above foundation level
In situ concrete beam with purpose made longitudinal voids
created with plastic conduits, is cast around the building
periphery
The small diameter voids accommodate steel stressing tendons
for post tensioning to bind the walls into a solid unit
Continuity provided by the post tensioned beams integrates
the substructural wall & compensates for weaker areas of
subsoil
Relatively this method is fast when applied to regular plan
shapes.

6.10 OTHER METHODS OF UNDERPINNING

Other forms of underpinning using beams:
Stressed steel
Consist of std universal beam sections
Short length of wall are removed and the steel
beam inserted
Pre-stressed concrete
Short pre cast concrete blocks are inserted
over the existing foundations as the brickwork
is removed
The blocks are formed to allow for post
tensioning stressing tendons to be inserted,
stressed and anchored to form a continous
beam

6.10.1 Underpinning Columns

more difficult than wall
can be carried out on brick /stone columns by inserting a
series of stools, casting a reinforced concrete base and
then underpinning.

Structural steel & R.C column must be relieved of their

loading before any underpinning can take place.
A collar of steel or pre cast concrete members is fixed

around the perimeter of the column. Concrete column

chased to a depth of 25 to 50mm to receive support
collar.

 The column loading is transferred from the collar

to cross beams or needles which in turn

transmits the loads to the ground at a safe

distance from the proposed excavations.

Cantilever

techniques

which

transfer

the

loadings to one side of the structural member

are possible providing sufficient kentledge and
anchorage can be obtained.

Types of underpinning works:

Traditional Mass Concrete Underpinning

Pad & Beam Underpinning
Jacked-in Steel Pipe Piles Underpinning
Jet Grouting Underpinning
Timber pile foundation
Bracket pile underpinning

Pad & Beam Underpinning

Jacked-in Steel Pipe Piles

Underpinning

Timber Pile Foundation

Bracket Pile Underpinning

7.0 THE COST OF UNDERPINNING

Whether the building needs to be underpinned
should be determined by engineering on
performance of a structural survey. If the
underpinning required, the cost of underpinning
will depend on:
the extent of the cracks
the loads are added
size of the house