Fix subsiding floor and improvement foundation for warehouse in Vientiane, Lao PDR

A warehouse functions as a critical point in the production process, by storing goods and merchandise while waiting to be transported to support the production or sales distribution. Therefore, these buildings have to be strategically located in an area appropriate for stocking the merchandise, as well as safe and convenient for transportation and distribution.

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Project site attributes

Problem fixed by injecting polyurethane to strengthen soil and lift-relevel the warehouse

Soil testing under foundation before PU injection

(using a Kenzelstab Penetrometer Test)

A Cone Penetrometer (Kunzelstab) is a tool for testing the density of the soil, which can penetrate as deep as 10 meters. It is used for collecting soil data under the foundation in order to assess the situation. The tool is driven into the soil by releasing a standard 30-kg weight above. Every 20 centimetres, the density (friction) of the soil is evaluated and converted into the bearing capacity that indicates the amount of load the soil can take.
Soil testing report

Test results show presence of a void and loose soil as deep as 50 centimeters

Injection of polyurethane to fix warehouse subsidence

The soil improvement process starts with the injection of polyurethane through a pipe into the problematic soil in order to increase the density and compaction. Finally, injection of polyurethane directly under the foundation will lift-relevel the structure to resemble its original level.

Fill voids and lift-relevel sunken concrete inside the warehouse

Polyurethane is injected under the concrete floor through 16-mm holes drilled every 1.2 meters. The injected material expands and fills as well as compacts the soil. The expansion force slowly lifts the floor. Throughout the operation, the rise is measured and regulated with a levelling laser. The operation enables the floor to be lifted to the desired level and increases the strength of the foundation.

Advantages of lifting floors by polyurethane injection

Repairs using less time No need to destroy old floors. Your space can be used within 15 minutes after the injection.
No disruption of your operation No need to move heavy machinery or shelves. Your operation can continue while the floor is being fixed.
Get even floors that can bear more load Even out sunken floors while adding strength to withstand as much as 50 ton/cubic meter.
No problem with cramped space Able to access all areas. The technology features a 90-meter long cable which can reach small and narrow spaces such as underneath stock shelving or machinery

Fix subsiding warehouse, Lao PDR