Due to problems with the ground, the reinforced concrete floor slabs at the Samlex Europe B.V. premises in Zaandam have subsided in places. The company, which specialises in energy conversion products, was therefore well placed to benefit from URETEK’s assistance in identifying and addressing the cause of the subsidence.
Soil settlement
The most common cause of foundation subsidence that we at URETEK encounter is soil settlement. This settlement can, in turn, have various causes. Examples include leaks from underground pipes, which cause the soil and foundation material to become saturated. This can also be caused by fluctuating groundwater levels or excavation work due to building works in the vicinity. This reduces the soil’s bearing capacity. Uneven foundation depths or increased vibrations in the ground (caused by heavy goods traffic, for example) can also be causes of subsidence.
Damage to the building
In the case of Samlex B.V., the ground settlement was caused by a fluctuating groundwater level combined with a subsoil prone to settlement. In this case, the subsidence resulted in significant differences in floor levels throughout the entire building. Both office areas and warehouses have been damaged. Significant cracks are also visible in some walls. In short, a highly undesirable situation for the entire company.
Tackling subsidence with the Floorlift® method
To prevent further damage in the future, it was essential to tackle the root cause of this problem as quickly as possible. URETEK was called in to restore the floors to as level a condition as possible, despite the significant differences in level. Using the Floorlift® method, the total surface area requiring treatment – 235 m² – was addressed. Drilling was carried out to determine the structure of the floor. Laser measurements established that the average settlement was 30 millimetres. Ultimately, the surface was raised in various places by injecting our powerful expansion resin.
Our client is very satisfied with the repair. In hindsight, he would have liked to have done this four years earlier, but he didn’t quite dare to take the plunge. We’re glad we were able to prevent more serious damage!
Would you like to prevent damage caused by subsidence from getting that far?
Then request a no-obligation consultation or get in touch contact us for more information.
