Project: Private residential house
Location: Volgograd region
Year: 2025
Duration: 2 working days
Technology: DEEP INJECTION
Engineering analysis of the foundation stabilization project in the Volgograd region: soil diagnostics, causes of deformations, and deep injection technology
Problem
Cracks and deformations of load-bearing structures
Solution
Stopping the deformation of the building and stabilizing the load-bearing structures
Initial conditions and operational context
In spring 2025, the owner of a private two-story residential house located in the Volgograd region contacted the engineering and technical division of URETEK. The building was constructed in 2010 and had been operated for a long time without any signs of critical deformations. The structural scheme includes a monolithic reinforced concrete slab foundation under the main volume of the house and a strip foundation under the extension, embedded to a depth of more than 1.5 meters. The load-bearing walls are made of expanded clay concrete blocks, and a wide blind area is provided around the perimeter of the building. At first glance, such a combination of structural solutions is considered stable and reliable. However, approximately two years before the request, the owner recorded the appearance of cracks in the walls and on the ceiling slabs. It is important to note that the defects were not local but systemic in nature, which already at the preliminary stage indicated the possible involvement of the foundation in the formation of deformations. From the standpoint of modern structural mechanics, such symptoms are often associated not with the destruction of the foundation material as such, but with a change in the stress-strain state of the soil mass beneath the footing. The owner himself put forward this hypothesis, which was the reason for contacting specialised professionals.
In spring 2025, the owner of a private two-story residential house located in the Volgograd region contacted the engineering and technical division of URETEK. The building was constructed in 2010 and had been operated for a long time without any signs of critical deformations. The structural scheme includes a monolithic reinforced concrete slab foundation under the main volume of the house and a strip foundation under the extension, embedded to a depth of more than 1.5 meters. The load-bearing walls are made of expanded clay concrete blocks, and a wide blind area is provided around the perimeter of the building. At first glance, such a combination of structural solutions is considered stable and reliable. However, approximately two years before the request, the owner recorded the appearance of cracks in the walls and on the ceiling slabs. It is important to note that the defects were not local but systemic in nature, which already at the preliminary stage indicated the possible involvement of the foundation in the formation of deformations. From the standpoint of modern structural mechanics, such symptoms are often associated not with the destruction of the foundation material as such, but with a change in the stress-strain state of the soil mass beneath the footing. The owner himself put forward this hypothesis, which was the reason for contacting specialised professionals.
Problem
Diagnostics and survey results
Work on the site began with an analysis of the initial data and a review of the design documentation. This stage is often underestimated, but it is precisely the comparison of the design solutions with the actual operational scheme that makes it possible to identify hidden prerequisites for deformations. After that, a visual inspection of the structures was carried out, during which the nature of the cracks, their orientation and relative position were recorded.
The next and key stage was the instrumental diagnostics of the foundation. To assess the condition of the soils beneath the foundations, dynamic probing was carried out at five control points. This method belongs to modern field geotechnical investigations and allows obtaining data on the density, uniformity and bearing capacity of the soil without exposing the structures. From a scientific point of view, dynamic probing relies on the patterns of propagation of impulse loads in a dispersed medium. The change in probe resistance during penetration reflects variations in soil structure, the presence of loosened zones and layer boundaries. In the context of urban development and occupied buildings, this method is an optimal compromise between information content and non-invasiveness.
The obtained data unequivocally indicated the presence of loosened soil layers beneath the foundation footing. These zones were characterised by reduced density and, as a consequence, a lower capacity to bear the load from the building. In engineering practice, such a state of the foundation is considered one of the main causes of differential settlement. It is important to emphasise that even a monolithic foundation slab is not an absolute guarantee of uniform foundation behaviour. Current research in soil mechanics shows that local heterogeneities in the mass lead to stress redistribution, resulting in flexural and shear deformations of the structure. It is precisely such processes, accumulating over time, that manifest as cracks in the above-ground part of the building.
Work on the site began with an analysis of the initial data and a review of the design documentation. This stage is often underestimated, but it is precisely the comparison of the design solutions with the actual operational scheme that makes it possible to identify hidden prerequisites for deformations. After that, a visual inspection of the structures was carried out, during which the nature of the cracks, their orientation and relative position were recorded.
The next and key stage was the instrumental diagnostics of the foundation. To assess the condition of the soils beneath the foundations, dynamic probing was carried out at five control points. This method belongs to modern field geotechnical investigations and allows obtaining data on the density, uniformity and bearing capacity of the soil without exposing the structures. From a scientific point of view, dynamic probing relies on the patterns of propagation of impulse loads in a dispersed medium. The change in probe resistance during penetration reflects variations in soil structure, the presence of loosened zones and layer boundaries. In the context of urban development and occupied buildings, this method is an optimal compromise between information content and non-invasiveness.
The obtained data unequivocally indicated the presence of loosened soil layers beneath the foundation footing. These zones were characterised by reduced density and, as a consequence, a lower capacity to bear the load from the building. In engineering practice, such a state of the foundation is considered one of the main causes of differential settlement. It is important to emphasise that even a monolithic foundation slab is not an absolute guarantee of uniform foundation behaviour. Current research in soil mechanics shows that local heterogeneities in the mass lead to stress redistribution, resulting in flexural and shear deformations of the structure. It is precisely such processes, accumulating over time, that manifest as cracks in the above-ground part of the building.
The project in detail
Project development and implementation
Based on the survey results, URETEK engineers developed a foundation stabilisation project. The key objective was to restore the interactive behaviour of the "foundation–soil" system and to increase the deformation modulus of the foundation to the design values. To solve this task, the technology of deep injection of a polymer material was selected. From a scientific standpoint, the method belongs to the class of active techniques for improving soil properties. Unlike traditional strengthening methods, it does not merely compensate for the consequences of settlement but addresses the root cause — the structure of the soil mass. The polymer formulations used in URETEK technology exhibit controlled expansion and high adhesion to the mineral environment. During injection, the material fills pores and voids, displaces free water, and forms a compacted zone with increased stiffness. Current research shows that such local strengthening makes it possible to redistribute stresses and reduce the concentration of deformations beneath the foundation. Considering the foundation geometry and the identified weak zones, it was decided to apply the column injection method. This technology involves the formation of vertical reinforced columns in the soil mass that work together with the foundation. The practical value of the method lies in the fact that it allows targeted treatment of problematic areas without affecting stable zones of the foundation. In engineering terms, this is equivalent to creating a system of local supports with increased bearing capacity. All work was carried out without interrupting the operation of the building and without dismantling the finishes. Process monitoring was performed in real time, which complies with modern requirements for geotechnical interventions in existing buildings.
Based on the survey results, URETEK engineers developed a foundation stabilisation project. The key objective was to restore the interactive behaviour of the "foundation–soil" system and to increase the deformation modulus of the foundation to the design values. To solve this task, the technology of deep injection of a polymer material was selected. From a scientific standpoint, the method belongs to the class of active techniques for improving soil properties. Unlike traditional strengthening methods, it does not merely compensate for the consequences of settlement but addresses the root cause — the structure of the soil mass. The polymer formulations used in URETEK technology exhibit controlled expansion and high adhesion to the mineral environment. During injection, the material fills pores and voids, displaces free water, and forms a compacted zone with increased stiffness. Current research shows that such local strengthening makes it possible to redistribute stresses and reduce the concentration of deformations beneath the foundation. Considering the foundation geometry and the identified weak zones, it was decided to apply the column injection method. This technology involves the formation of vertical reinforced columns in the soil mass that work together with the foundation. The practical value of the method lies in the fact that it allows targeted treatment of problematic areas without affecting stable zones of the foundation. In engineering terms, this is equivalent to creating a system of local supports with increased bearing capacity. All work was carried out without interrupting the operation of the building and without dismantling the finishes. Process monitoring was performed in real time, which complies with modern requirements for geotechnical interventions in existing buildings.
Solution
Project implementation: column injection
Taking into account the geometry of the foundation and the identified weak zones, it was decided to apply the column injection method. This technology involves the formation of vertical reinforced columns in the soil mass, which work in conjunction with the foundation.
The practical value of this method lies in the fact that it allows for targeted intervention in problematic areas without affecting the stable zones of the foundation. In engineering terms, this is equivalent to creating a system of local supports with increased load-bearing capacity.
All work was carried out without disrupting the operation of the building and without dismantling the decoration. The process was monitored in real time, which meets modern requirements for geotechnical interventions in existing buildings.
Results and operational effect
The stabilization of the foundation was completed within two working days. After the injections were completed, further deformation was halted, and the risk of crack progression was eliminated.
From a long-term perspective, it is important to note that the reinforcement performed is not a temporary measure. Increasing the density and rigidity of the soil leads to the stabilization of the stress-strain state of the system as a whole. Subsequent geotechnical monitoring serves as an additional element of reliability, allowing for the tracking of the foundation's behavior over time.
Conclusions
This project clearly demonstrates that even buildings with seemingly reliable structural solutions can experience problems related to changes in soil properties. A modern engineering approach requires considering the building and foundation as a unified system.
The application of URETEK technologies allows not only to eliminate the consequences of deformations, but also to work with their underlying causes, based on current scientific knowledge in the field of soil mechanics and geotechnics. This approach ensures the durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the solutions.
Taking into account the geometry of the foundation and the identified weak zones, it was decided to apply the column injection method. This technology involves the formation of vertical reinforced columns in the soil mass, which work in conjunction with the foundation.
The practical value of this method lies in the fact that it allows for targeted intervention in problematic areas without affecting the stable zones of the foundation. In engineering terms, this is equivalent to creating a system of local supports with increased load-bearing capacity.
All work was carried out without disrupting the operation of the building and without dismantling the decoration. The process was monitored in real time, which meets modern requirements for geotechnical interventions in existing buildings.
Results and operational effect
The stabilization of the foundation was completed within two working days. After the injections were completed, further deformation was halted, and the risk of crack progression was eliminated.
From a long-term perspective, it is important to note that the reinforcement performed is not a temporary measure. Increasing the density and rigidity of the soil leads to the stabilization of the stress-strain state of the system as a whole. Subsequent geotechnical monitoring serves as an additional element of reliability, allowing for the tracking of the foundation's behavior over time.
Conclusions
This project clearly demonstrates that even buildings with seemingly reliable structural solutions can experience problems related to changes in soil properties. A modern engineering approach requires considering the building and foundation as a unified system.
The application of URETEK technologies allows not only to eliminate the consequences of deformations, but also to work with their underlying causes, based on current scientific knowledge in the field of soil mechanics and geotechnics. This approach ensures the durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the solutions.
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