Stabilizing Railing Footings at the Port of Oakland

The Challenge
Settling soils and voids beneath the Port of Oakland created uneven surfaces and threatened heavy equipment loads of gantry crane.
The Solution
Polyurethane injection filled voids, densify soils, and level continuous footings and stabilize 6′ x 6′ x 6′ spread footings.
The Impact
The solution restored leveled the gantry crane’s rail line and restored load-bearing capacity to the footings.
The Challenge
Settlement and Consolidation of Soils due to Heavy Loads of Gantry Crane and Freight
The Port of Oakland, one of the busiest maritime hubs in the U.S., faced a significant operational challenge when low gantry cranes began scraping against their settled railing system. This settlement compromised crane efficiency, created safety concerns, and risked further structural damage to the port’s infrastructure. The issue stemmed from settlement of the continuous and large spread footings that supported the rail system over a span of 150 feet.
Key Facts
150 ft
Rail Track Stabilized
5 Days
Installation Time
6′ x 6′ x6′
Spread Footings Stabilized
0
Hours of Interruption to Operations

The Solution
Leveled and Stabilized over 150 ft of Continuous and Spread Footings.
Groundworks deployed its specialized Deep Injection polyurethane technology to address the issue. The project involved two key steps:
1. Lifting the Footings: Targeted injections were strategically placed to lift the continuous and large spread footings back to their original elevation.
2. Supportive Stabilization: After achieving the desired lift, supportive injections were made along the continuous footing to ensure long-term stabilization and prevent further settlement.
The Deep Injection process allowed for precise control of the lift while minimizing disruption to port operations. Polyurethane’s rapid expansion and curing properties created a strong, dense base beneath the footings, restoring their integrity and preventing future settlement.
The Impact
Completed the project in 5 days with minimal impact to the port
• Structural Integrity Restored: The continuous footings supporting the rail system were lifted and stabilized effectively, eliminating scraping issues.
• Operational Efficiency: Gantry cranes resumed smooth operation, improving safety and workflow.
• Minimal Disruption: The polyurethane injection process allowed the port to maintain operations during the project, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Cost Savings: The solution prevented the need for extensive excavation or replacement, saving the Port of Oakland both time and money.

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