The Problem
A chalet bungalow in Finavon, Forfar was suffering from foundation movement. The 1m-deep strip footing was suffering downward movement due to the consolidation of alluvial riverbed deposits which ran directly under two sections of the property. The damage was confined to the rear of the garage and the rear right-hand corner of the main property. Optera were requested to pile and stabilise the two areas before rebuilding the blockwork above and realigning the roof of the garage.

The Optera Solution
We designed a scheme of bottom driven piles to a depth of approximately 6m. A reinforced concrete needle connecting the piles to the house would then be cast under the foundations to provide permanent support to the affected parts of the building.

The piles were all installed as planned and the rebuild of the rear wall of the garage was completed. However, during repairs to the kitchen, we established that the rear wall of the bungalow had slipped substantially off the wall plate. Consequently, we revised the repairs, taking down and rebuilding the rear right-hand corner of the bungalow to line and level.

The garage roof was partly stripped of tiles to reduce the weight and the garage ceiling plasterboard removed to expose the timber structure within. A spreader board was placed across the ceiling joists and a series of Acrow props and hydraulic jacks were used to lift the roof structure back into alignment. Once completed, the wall plate was replaced and fixed into the new blockwork which provided permanent support to the realigned roof structure.

Project Conclusion
Once all the rebuilding works were completed, the finishing render was applied to the areas of the rebuild and the internal reinstatement and decoration works were completed. The customer, a civil engineer himself, commented on the excellent standard of workmanship throughout the repairs. The entire project was completed on time and within budget.

“The customer, a civil engineer himself, commented on the excellent standard of workmanship throughout the repairs.”

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