Project Information: 

Washington Middle School was being renovated and it was discovered that it was experiencing some differential settlement. Soil borings indicated the presence of fill material below the foundation. Traditional steel resistance underpinning and helical underpinning were selected originally by the design engineers as the choice of remediation. Upon review of the soil information, UDI was concerned with the capabilities of these underpinning methods due to the soils information provided. It would be possible for the helical piers to encounter cobbles/floaters in the fill thus negating the installation. The use steel resistance piers likewise could become compromised by the nature of the fill. To solve this UDI proposed the installation of small diameter hollow bar micropiles. The main advantage of the method would be the penetration of the fill material into the 'good' material below the cobbled fill.      

The passive installation of the micropiles would also allow for a greater factor of safety in strength and parameters. UDI mated Titan's 40/20mm hollow bar micropiles with Earth Contact Products MP 350 Underpinning Bracket (75,000-99,000 lbs capacity) to provide a competent underpinning system. UDI excavated the site and prepared the footings during the first day of operation. Once the brackets were mounted, UDI installed the micropiles, coring and simultaneously grouting the bars as they drilled 35' through the cobbled fill and into the good strata. Upon completion UDI’s crew was able to stabilize and lift the structure with the MP350 micropile bracketing system. By utilizing this application, UDI was able to complete the project with a three man crew in just over three days. UDI's vast experience in dealing with different underpinning techniques provided an economical solution to an otherwise difficult situation. 

On September 22nd and 23rd, Earth Contact Products held their annual Foundation Repair Workshop in Kansas City. This workshop, intended to improve the business skills of foundation repair installing experts, had overwhelming attendance considering the economic climate. "Obviously ECP installing contractors are having a very good year, compared to their competitors" said Jeff Tully, GM of ECP. "The have come from around the country to learn how to be better and share ways to expand their level of service with each other" continued Tully.

The two day workshop covered subjects ranging from Advertising and Marketing to New Products and Services offered by Earth Contact Products. "The introduction of our concentric push pier has been a big hit" said Weston Opat of ECP. Opat went on to say "the ECP Model 200 is a concentric style pier designed for hard to reach foundation locations and crawlspace leveling work. It is the strongest concentric resistance pier on the market and features the ECP Manifold Lifting System that our other eccentric piers have been using for years."

Highlights, besides new product introductions included a night at the ballpark. All attendedees were given the opportunity to attend the Boston RedSox vs Kansas City Royals baseball game at the newly renovated Royals Stadium. It was a great time for installing contractors to network and discuss business issues with others in their industry. The evening was complete when Zach Greinkie won his 15th game of the season with a 5-1 victory of the BoSox.

Banister is responsible for customer technical support as well as product testing and regional technical seminars. Details of upcoming seminar locations can be found at www.earthcontactproducts.com/News.asp . Earth Contact Products provides free technical support for the engineering community and its customers alike as it pertains to their products and the applications of their products. The preliminary design service is available to all contractors and specifying engineers in the foundation construction business, to assist in the design and application of its products.

Earth Contact Products is a manufacturer of steel foundation products for underpinning, new construction and the utility industries. From helical anchors and resistance piers to helical soil nails and wall anchors ECP is recognized as a leader in their set industries.

Earth Contact Products is pleased to announce the 2010 Annual Customer Appreciation Dinner in Las Vegas, NV on February 2^nd 2010. This annual event has always been a highlight for many that attend the World of Concrete Convention and this year ECP has changed venues from the VooDoo Café to the newest Rio hotspot - Café Martorano.

Café Martorano offers Italian-American food in a unique atmosphere that combines exceptional food with extraordinary music. ECP’s guests will be treated to a custom menu prepared by Steve Martorano and ECP while watching classic movies and listening to classic R&B and classic rock. “We still combine the freshest food with the best music, film and television, but we’ve taken that experience to a new level just like the menu,” said Martorano. “It’s a modern cool atmosphere that allows us to maintain our welcome-to-the-family vibe while re-inventing ourselves and raising the bar once again.”

As in the past ECP will host a cocktail party at 6:00pm followed by dinner prepared by the owner Steve Martonaro himself at 8:00pm. We have made special arrangements for Steve Martorano, the “Italian guy from the neighborhood” to help host the event and prepare his special home style Italian-American favorites in a way that only he can do. This years event will be one of those cant miss opportunities that reflects our appreciation to our customers.

The experience at Café Martorano is like no other. From his “No Whining” policy to his “Absolutely No Changes” and “Don’t Break Balls” comments on his menu, you will quickly see why ECP has chosen this place for their most important meeting of the year.

“It truly is the best meat ball in the world” says Brad Mitchell, after visiting Café Martorano’s for the first time. “We’ve got to have our customer appreciation dinner here” followed Jon-Michael Mitchell after trying the fried calamari with hot and sweet peppers.

This dinner is open to ECP customers, employees and family along with the engineering community that we work with. Make your plans to attend this event and be prepared for great food and a great atmosphere. Let us thank you for your business while networking with the best specialty foundation contractors in the world.