How The Dwyer Company Restored Access to CommuniCare Health Facility
- Project Type: Commercial
- Project Services: Earth Retention, Rock Anchors/Soil Nails, Shotcrete
When the only entrance to a healthcare facility becomes blocked by a catastrophic wall failure, every minute counts. For the CommuniCare project, The Dwyer Company responded to an emergency landslide that threatened to shut down access to critical medical services. This case study demonstrates how our rapid response, in-house design capabilities, and soil nail expertise restored safe access in record time, while maintaining emergency vehicle access throughout construction.
Quick Facts
- Project: CommuniCare Health Facility Emergency Wall Repair
- Problem: Global stability failure and landslide blocking only facility entrance
- Solution: Soil nail and reinforced shotcrete retaining system
- Scope: 35 soil nails, 1,000+ SF of 4,000 psi reinforced shotcrete
- Critical Requirement: Maintain emergency vehicle access throughout construction
- Project Success Factors: Experienced crew, prior planning, in-house initial design
- Engineer: K. Orloff, Civil Solutions
- General Contractor: Briar Ridge Construction
The Challenge: Catastrophic Wall Failure Blocking Critical Access
CommuniCare Health Facility faced a crisis when their existing stacked stone retaining wall experienced a complete stability failure and collapsed. The landslide blocked the only entrance to the healthcare facility, threatening to cut off access for:
Emergency Medical Vehicles
Patient Transport and Ambulances
Essential Supply Deliveries
Staff and Visitors
Critical Healthcare Operations
With granular material from behind the old wall continuing to destabilize, the situation demanded immediate action. The facility couldn’t afford a complete closure—emergency access had to be maintained even during repair operations.
The Solution: Soil Nails & Shotcrete for Rapid Stabilization
The Dwyer Company deployed an advanced soil nail and shotcrete system to halt the failure and restore structural stability. This solution was ideal for the emergency situation because it could be installed quickly while maintaining one open lane for critical facility access.
System Components
- 35 Soil Nails: Drilled and grouted deep into stable soil to anchor the slope
- 1,000+ SF of Reinforced Shotcrete: 4,000 psi structural shotcrete wall to retain soil and prevent further failure
- Strategic Phasing: Construction sequenced to keep emergency access open throughout
Why Soil Nails & Shotcrete?
Speed
Rapid installation critical for emergency situations.
Reliability
Proven system for global stability failures and landslides.
Flexibility
Can be installed while maintaining partial site access.
Structural Integrity
Creates permanent retention system preventing future failure.
Minimal Footprint
No need for extensive excavation or large equipment staging.
Rapid Stabilization
Rapidly reinforces failing slopes or walls when time matters most.
The Execution: Emergency Response with Precision Planning
The Dwyer Company’s success on this project came down to three critical factors: experienced crew, thorough prior planning, and in-house initial design capabilities. Our ability to design and engineer solutions internally meant faster response times when every hour mattered.
Our Emergency Response Process:
Assessed the scope of the global stability failure, analyzed soil conditions, and engineered a structural solution leveraging our internal expertise. Designed an installation sequence to maintain at least one open lane during construction, ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency vehicles and critical deliveries. Installed 35 soil nails drilled into stable soil strata, establishing a robust anchoring system to halt further landslide movement. Applied over 1,000 square feet of 4,000 psi reinforced shotcrete to construct a durable, permanent retaining wall. Conducted ongoing verification of structural integrity and load-bearing capacity throughout the process to guarantee long-term stability. The outcome: a fully stabilized entrance restored to safe operation, with zero disruption to emergency medical access.
Phase 2: Architectural Enhancement
With the structural emergency resolved, Phase 2 consists of constructing an architectural wall in front of the structural shotcrete wall. This aesthetic enhancement will provide:
- Attractive finished appearance matching facility architecture
- Protection for the structural wall
- Enhanced curb appeal for patients and visitors
- Complete restoration of the entrance's original function and beauty
The Impact: Critical Access Restored, Operations Protected
By responding rapidly to this emergency landslide and wall failure, The Dwyer Company ensured CommuniCare Health Facility could continue serving the community without interruption. The solution delivered:
- Zero Facility Downtime: Emergency access maintained throughout construction
- Permanent Stability: Engineered system preventing future failures
- Rapid Response: Critical entrance reopened in minimal time
- Cost-Effective Solution: Soil nail system more economical than full wall reconstruction
- Long-Term Performance: Structural integrity guaranteed for decades
Project Partners:
Engineer K. Orloff of Civil Solutions and General Contractor Briar Ridge Construction benefited from a collaborative approach that prioritized both speed and structural soundness.
Is your facility experiencing slope failure, retaining wall instability, or landslide concerns?
Don’t wait for a crisis to become a catastrophe.
Contact The Dwyer Company today for immediate assessment and discover how our soil nail and shotcrete solutions can stabilize your site quickly and effectively—even in emergency situations.