FOUNDATION REPAIR, HIGH-PRECISION ROUTER
An Engineering Excellence Award-Winning Project

S&ME provided innovative foundation repair recommendations for a high-precision, computer-controlled router used in the manufacture of aircraft parts. The router, owned by Vought Aircraft Industries in Milledgeville, Georgia, was experiencing deflections of up to 20/1000-inch in its foundation. This required costly, periodic leveling and recalibration of the machine.

We first reviewed another firm's original geotechnical findings that were based on a conventional soil-test boring exploration. We then conducted four electric cone penetration tests through the floor slab and foundation to depths ranging from about 16 to 23 feet. With the test results we analytically simulated the deflections of the machine, assessed the foundation problem and begin to evaluate possible solutions. Our approach recommended jet grouting to create an engineered, in-situ soil/cement product effective across a wide range of soil types and capable of being used around subsurface obstructions and in confined places.

Our use of a rare combination of conventional and new technologies went beyond typical, approaches that would have called for costly downtime. Our engineers improved subsurface soils beneath the router by installing 76 jet-grouted piles below the existing mat foundation. The results exceeded the client's needs with deflections measured at 1/1000-inch.

“S&ME’s application of an innovative engineering solution exceeded expectations for minimizing deflections of the Shoda Machine. S&ME also allowed Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. to minimize production loses during construction. We were very pleased with your professionalism, responsiveness, and the quality of the services you offered. We would like to express our gratitude for your efforts and the practical solution you recommended in response to our wants and needs.”

—Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.