DESCRIPTION

This project involved new construction of a state-of-the-art research facility, which includes manufacturing, lab space, and an administration building. The facility is comprised of five individual tilt-up concrete structures connected via an atrium to create a three-story building on a 32-acre site.

CHALLENGE

Soil conditions at the project site consisted of soft clays over Karst Limestone. One of the major challenges was to prevent surface water infiltration into limestone pinnacles without project cost overruns. Column loads ranged up to 870 kips.

SOLUTION

The best solution proved to be the use of Cement Treated Aggregate (CTA) Geopier® elements for high capacity and low permeability. Some of the many benefits of using CTA Geopier elements included; CTA being readily available from Frederick concrete suppliers, CTA Geopier element modulus were four times better than the design requirement, a stiffer pier provided better settlement performance which was less risk, and the original upper zone settlement was reduced greatly.