At Pangea Geotecnia, we approach every project with the highest technical standards, delivering innovative solutions to ensure the safety and stability of the works we undertake. We are currently carrying out several construction activities as part of the Concepción Family Court expansion, a project that presents unique challenges due to the ground conditions and the surrounding environment.
Protecting Las Pocitas Canal and Salesianos School
One of the most significant aspects of this project has been the construction of a retaining structure to protect Las Pocitas Canal, located behind the Berlin-type retaining wall. The proximity of Salesianos School, adjacent to the site, required specific engineering solutions to ensure stability while minimizing any risk to the neighboring buildings.
Along the school boundary, an anchored Berlin-type retaining wall was constructed using conventional ground anchors, providing soil retention through steel sections anchored into the ground. However, in the canal area, the poor quality of the underlying ground and the inability to install ground anchors required a different solution. Raking struts anchored to concrete footing blocks at their base were installed to provide structural support through bracing.
Slope stabilization
Another challenge addressed on this project has been slope protection through the installation of steel mesh followed by shotcrete application. This solution helps prevent erosion, reducing the risk of slope failures during excavation while maintaining the stability of the surrounding ground.
Foundation piles and groundwater control
For the building foundation, 20-meter-deep foundation piles have been installed to transfer structural loads to more competent soil layers. Because of the continuous groundwater inflow associated with Las Pocitas Canal, a wellpoint dewatering system has been implemented to lower the groundwater table, allowing excavation to proceed without the work area becoming flooded.
Quality control is a fundamental part of our construction process. For this reason, we perform pile head trimming to remove concrete affected by drilling polymers and ensure a sound connection between the structural concrete and the foundation system, contributing to the long-term performance of the structure.
We invite you to watch the full video of this project on our YouTube channel and learn more about our work in the field.