Developer: Chartwell Hospitality
Architect: Rabun Architects
Contractor: Crain Construction
Concrete: I.C. Thomasson Associates, Inc.
Unexpected soil issues and a global pandemic presented some serious hurdles for Crain Construction while we worked to build a new Hilton Hotel in Alpharetta, Georgia. Through strategic planning and flexibility, the Crain team ensured the project stayed on track and achieved exceptional results.
The Alpharetta hotel site was pad-ready when we took over the project as general contractor. Several months into the job, work was paused to investigate inconsistent soil settlement issues.
In Nashville, bedrock is typically available for rock-bearing building foundations. However, in Alpharetta, there was no bedrock, so we used a friction-based Geopier sub-foundation system based on the soil conditions outlined in the geotechnical report. Unfortunately, we encountered inconsistent soil settlement, which affected our structure. The issue stemmed from an unknown 4-inch layer of substandard soil that was deeper than indicated in the owner’s geotechnical report. This settlement caused problems for various trades and necessitated on-site and scope-of-work adjustments for architectural precast, framing, doors, window walls, and glazing.
Crain’s superintendent first noticed the soil stability issues when laying out a concrete beam. Our team immediately notified the owner and took the lead in working with the geotechnical engineer to identify the issues and come up with a solution. We implemented low-mobility grouting to reinforce the Geopiers. Over 400 drilled piers were pressure-injected with grout, creating mini-columns around each Geopier to prevent bulging and ensure stability. Not only did the Crain team manage the solution, but we continued to monitor the conditions post-repair.
Instead of stopping the entire project for two months while the soil issue was resolved, our team continued work on framing, electrical, and plumbing. This proactive approach helped mitigate the impact of stoppage on the project.
The pandemic introduced new challenges, including the need for virtual meetings with 15 subtractor companies while maintaining project momentum amidst health and safety concerns. Transitioning mandatory job site meetings to a virtual format was crucial to ensure continuous communication and coordination.
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