Industry Case Study: Imagine Schools
Challenge
Situation: Imagine Schools, a charter school with locations throughout the United States, received funding to construct a brand new MS/HS next to their existing Elementary School in Coolidge, AZ.
Challenges: The land that Imagine School purchased was built on an old landfill. Geotechnical reports showed that soft landfill soil existed anywhere from 7 feet to 12 feet below grade. Over excavation to this depth would have been too cost-prohibitive. Due to the school having to open in time for the new year, helical piles were only given an 8-day window to be installed.
Solution
Solution: A combination of 242 Helical piles and Micro piles were designed to be driven thru the soft fill soil into the firm native soil. Micro piles were driven at a battered angle to help account for lateral loads, while helical piles were driven vertically to account for live and dead loads.
Conclusion: 242 helical and micro piles of various sizes were installed to specification in the 8-day allotment.