Excavation and Building Support

Excavation and building support systems are often required when environmental remediation excavations encroach underneath or adjacent to buildings and other sensitive structures. GAIA has the in-house expertise to quickly assess, design and install appropriate and cost-effective support systems to mitigate the risk of movement of such structures.

Shoring or temporary excavation support includes a variety of techniques from simple braced cuts to active anchors. The choice of which technique to use at any site should be a function of the local soil conditions and cost, but quite often is governed by what technique is locally available. GAIA, together with its parent company Golder, can provide a complete design-build package which is tailored to the needs and constraints of the site in question and which is not necessarily geared to the local market constraints. Working with Golder’s design team and specialized subcontractors, GAIA is often able to develop new and cost-effective solutions that may not otherwise be considered.

Excavation and structure support systems previously employed by GAIA/Golder have included:

• Micropiles
• Grouting
• Underpinning
• Caisson walls
• Temporary structural steel framing and support
• Column jacking
• Replacement of existing foundations
• Shotcrete and anchor shoring
• Deep soil mixing
• Soldier piles and lagging
• Secant pile walls
• Sheet piles

In addition to designing and installing the support systems we carry out preconstruction and post-construction surveys and supply and monitor real-time movement measuring devices. Alternatively we can retain an independent third party consultant to carry out this work on the client’s behalf.