How The Dwyer Company Protected a Historic Campus Building During Major Renovation with Engineered Tieback Anchors and Underpinning
- Project Type: Commercial
- Project Services: Helical Tiebacks/Anchors, Push Piers, Shoring/Underpinning
Safely excavating adjacent to existing structures while preventing settlement and structural compromise
When Miami University’s College of Elm underwent renovation requiring installation of a new elevator and stairwell, the project presented a unique engineering challenge: excavating directly adjacent to the existing building without causing settlement or undermining the historic structure. Working in close collaboration with Schaefer Engineering Firm and general contractor Messer Construction Company, The Dwyer Company designed and installed a support system featuring 6 tieback anchors and 5 underpins that enabled safe excavation against the building while preserving complete structural integrity, proving that even the most structurally sensitive renovation projects can achieve aggressive timelines with proper engineering coordination and precision execution.
Quick Facts
- Location: Oxford, Ohio
- Project Type: Campus Building Renovation – Structural Support Retrofit
- Challenge: Excavation adjacent to occupied building with zero tolerance for settlement
- Solution: 6 tieback anchors and 5 underpins for structural protection
- Owner: Miami University
- Partners: Messer Construction Company (GC), Schaefer Engineering Firm (Engineer)
The Challenge: Excavating Adjacent to an Occupied Historic Structure
The primary challenge was coordinating closely with excavation and earthwork contractors in severely confined working quarters adjacent to an occupied campus building, requiring precise sequencing of operations and continuous communication to ensure safe, efficient project execution in the limited available space. The renovation project demanded excavation directly against the existing College of Elm building to accommodate the new elevator shaft and stairwell—creating significant risk of settlement or undermining the historic structure’s foundation if not properly supported. Our team needed to carefully navigate the existing structural elements and establish a comprehensive protection plan that would enable aggressive excavation work while maintaining absolute structural integrity of the occupied building. Conventional excavation approaches without engineered structural support couldn’t achieve the required excavation depths adjacent to the foundation without extensive and costly risk of building damage, settlement, or structural compromise.
The Solution: Engineered Tieback Anchors and Underpinning System
Working in close collaboration with Schaefer Engineering Firm and general contractor Messer Construction Company, The Dwyer Company designed and installed a structural support system featuring 6 tieback anchors and 5 underpins that preserved the structural integrity of the existing building while enabling safe excavation for the stairwell and elevator addition. The solution required detailed coordination among all parties, meticulous attention to structural loading details, and cooperative execution of installation sequencing with excavation operations.
The installation process involved establishing structural safety measures to prevent any settlement or lateral movement of the existing building, strategically positioning tieback anchors into the existing wall to provide lateral support during excavation, and installing underpins beneath the existing foundation to transfer loads safely through the disturbed excavation zone to competent bearing strata. Each component was installed to precise engineered specifications with continuous monitoring to verify structural performance throughout the excavation sequence.
The entire installation was completed efficiently within the project timeline, allowing the renovation to maintain its aggressive construction schedule and providing Miami University with a structurally sound building expansion while eliminating any risk of settlement or undermining of the historic structure.
Key Project Details
Tieback anchors installed into existing building wall for lateral support during excavation
Underpins strategically positioned to transfer building loads through excavation zone
Precision coordination with excavation contractors in severely confined working spaces
Sequential installation allowing continuous excavation progress without structural delays
Close collaboration with Schaefer Engineering Firm and Messer Construction throughout design and execution
Zero structural movement or settlement of existing building during entire excavation and construction sequence
Why Tieback Anchors and Underpinning for Building Renovations?
This project exemplifies The Dwyer Company’s expertise in delivering engineered structural protection solutions for challenging renovation and excavation projects. Tieback anchor and underpinning systems provided:
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Retaining Wall Stabilization
Secures and straightens retaining walls affected by shifting or moving soils. -
Load Transfer Through Weak Soils
Transfers structural loads to stable soil or bedrock in areas with poor soil conditions. -
Excavation Support
Stabilizes trench or pit walls during digging to prevent collapses and keep projects on schedule. -
Slope Stabilization
Secures sloped terrain against erosion or landslides, protecting property investments. -
Foundation Underpinning
Strengthens existing foundations to support new loads or repair settlement—perfect for renovations or expansions. -
Commercial Construction
Supports large-scale projects requiring robust foundation or wall anchoring, such as infrastructure or building expansions.
The Impact: Structural Protection, Schedule Efficiency, and Cost Savings
The impact was threefold: structural, schedule, and economic. By implementing a comprehensive engineered support system instead of alternative excavation methods requiring extensive temporary shoring or building modifications, The Dwyer Company eliminated costly building protection work and potential structural damage risks, resulting in significant cost savings for Miami University. The strategic installation sequencing allowed excavation work to proceed continuously without structural delays that would have cascaded through subsequent construction phases. Most critically, the combined tieback anchor and underpinning system achieved zero structural movement or settlement of the occupied historic building during the entire excavation and construction sequence, proving that aggressive renovation schedules can be maintained even in the most structurally sensitive environments when proper engineering coordination and precision execution are applied, a critical outcome for campus renovation projects where building integrity and occupant safety are paramount.
Why Choose The Dwyer Company for Structural Integrity?
Deep History • Solid Choice
The Dwyer Company’s proven track record in commercial and institutional foundation systems made us the trusted partner for this critical campus renovation project. Our team’s technical expertise, advanced equipment, and commitment to precision execution delivered a structural protection system that enabled successful building expansion while preserving the integrity of Miami University’s historic campus structures.