Hitting a Home Run Rehabilitating a California Sports Stadium

The Challenge

A California stadium expansion faced a crisis when soil movement exposed a hidden 2-foot void, causing electrical failure.

In the 90’s, a renowned California sports stadium embarked on a project to enhance its grandstand, offering spectators an enhanced viewing experience. However, the undertaking encountered an unexpected hurdle when undocumented fill was utilized in the add-on, leading to unforeseen complications. As fate would have it, a power outage further compounded the problem, prompting a thorough investigation to identify the source of the issue. What they uncovered was nothing short of alarming.

Beneath the grandstand, a water leak had mixed with the problematic fill, triggering soil movement that ultimately shifted the main electric line, causing a critical failure. Upon excavation, it was revealed that a seemingly innocuous 1-foot slab concealed a staggering 2-foot void underneath. In-depth Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests highlighted the severity of the situation, indicating that the soils were akin to a mudlike slurry down to a depth of 26 feet.

Key Facts

The Solution

Groundworks stabilized the stadium using Polyurethane Injections, injecting polyurethane at 5, 10, and 15 feet to restore soil support.

To help get the effectively stabilized and the soil support restored, Groundworks introduced their cutting-edge Polyurethane Injections process to stabilize the compromised soil. Employing polyurethane injections at multiple depths, the team worked diligently to restore stability to the stadium’s foundation. In strategic locations, injections were made at depths of 5 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet, following a precise gridded pattern. Additionally, the geotechnical polyurethane injections beneath the slab filled the voids and reinstated crucial support to the surface.

The Impact

Completed the project in 4 days, between two major events, without any disruption.

While the soil stabilization was impressive, the expediency of the project was truly inspiring. Despite the complexity of the challenge, Groundworks successfully completed the project in a mere four days. The impact of their work showcased their commitment to efficiency and their ability to work seamlessly within a time-sensitive environment. The stadium’s management and fans alike were impressed by Groundworks’ seamless execution, as they managed to complete the project between two major events without any disruption.

The application of polyurethane injection soil stabilization proved to be a game-changer for the California sports stadium. By opting for this innovative solution, the stadium management bypassed the need for costly and invasive demolition and excavation of the slab. Such an endeavor would have required heavy equipment, the importation of new fill, and likely months of arduous repair work. Instead, Groundworks’ engineering brilliance saved valuable time and resources, ensuring the stadium’s structural integrity.