How The Dwyer Company Supported a New Addition Beside the Existing Building at Florence Baptist Temple
- Project Type: Commercial
- Project Services: Deep Foundation Systems, Helical Piles
Florence Baptist Temple added onto its building in Burlington, Kentucky, with the new structure going up directly beside the existing one. The Dwyer Company installed 14 helical piers at the adjacent column locations, working with general contractor Hermes Construction and engineer Roenker Engineering, Inc. Each pier was designed for 15 kips in compression and 2.4 kips lateral, at depths between 10 and 16 feet. Carrying the new columns on piers kept the excavation from undermining the footers already in place.
Putting an addition right up against the building you already have?
Quick Facts
- Burlington, Kentucky
- Project Type: Commercial – Retrofit
- Owner: Florence Baptist Temple
- Foundation System: 14 helical piers at the column locations adjacent to the existing structure
- Pier Capacity: 15 kips in compression, 2.4 kips lateral
- Pier Depth: 10 to 16 feet
- Soil Conditions: Tight access, work performed adjacent to the existing building
- Partners: Hermes Construction (general contractor), Roenker Engineering, Inc (engineer)
The Challenge
The addition shares a line with the existing building. Columns along that line land where a conventional footing excavation would cut in beside the footers already carrying the structure, and digging that close takes support out from under a building in use. Those columns needed a foundation that draws its capacity from depth.
Access was tight the whole way. Working beside a standing structure limits where equipment can sit and how a crew reaches each location, which put the weight on layout and on communication among the trades sharing that work line.
Key Project Details
helical piers installed at the column locations adjacent to the existing structure
kips in compression and 2.4 kips lateral designed into each pier
The Solution: Helical Pier Foundation System
The Dwyer Company installed 14 helical piers, one set at each column location along the shared line with the existing building. Each pier was designed for 15 kips in compression and 2.4 kips lateral, at depths of 10 to 16 feet. The piers take the column loads below the elevation of the existing footers, so the addition picks up bearing and the soil beside those footers stays where it is.
Tight access shaped the rest. The crew installed with equipment sized for the room beside the existing building and coordinated every location with Hermes Construction and Roenker Engineering, Inc. Communication across the trades kept a crowded work line moving.
The Impact
Existing footers left undisturbed
The pier design removed the excavation that would have cut in beside the footers already carrying the building.
Capacity at every adjacent column
Each of the 14 piers was designed for 15 kips in compression and 2.4 kips lateral.
Depth in place of excavation
Piers reached 10 to 16 feet to find bearing, so the foundation depth came from the pier rather than from digging.
Installed in tight quarters
Compact equipment worked the full column line in the space between the addition and the existing wall.
Why Helical Piers?
Helical piers let The Dwyer Company set new column foundations along an existing building line where an open excavation would have undermined the footers already there.
- Protects adjacent foundations – Load transfers below grade, so the soil supporting an existing footer stays in place.
- Compression and lateral capacity – A single pier can be designed for both, which matters at columns sitting on a building line.
- Small equipment footprint – Compact machines reach column locations set close to a standing structure.
- Immediate capacity – Piers accept load as they are installed, so the foundation work stays off the critical path.
Why Choose The Dwyer Company for structural integrity?
Deep History • Solid Choice
The Dwyer Company’s proven track record in commercial and industrial foundation systems made us the trusted partner for the Florence Baptist Temple addition. Working alongside Hermes Construction and Roenker Engineering, Inc, our crew installed 14 helical piers along the existing building line and gave the new columns bearing below the footers already in place.
Have an addition planned against a building that has to keep operating?