DIMENSION Foundation Improvement System

The construction of reliable building foundations over weak soils is one of the most difficult - and potentially costly - challenges developers and designers face.

Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc. developed the DIMENSION Foundation Improvement System to construct reliable foundations at costs far less than conventional methods. A composite system of soil and TENSAR structural geogrids interacts to create a stiffened platform over weak, compressible soils. Similar in concept to a concrete raft foundation, the Dimension System's geogrid-soil structure distributes loads both broadly and uniformly over underlying soils.

As an alternative to deep over-excavation, concrete slabs, chemical stabilization/cement grouting and deep foundations, the Dimension System:

• Increase the effective bearing capacity of soil beneath shallow spread footings
• Reduce total and differential settlement by forming a stiffened mat beneath the concrete footing
• Improve the margin of safety for unforeseen soil conditions
• Provide a load transfer platform when used with traditional deep foundation techniques, such as stone columns

While conventional approaches can be expensive, labor intensive or environmentally unsound, the Dimension System provides an economical alternative to a potentially costly undertaking — saving developers as much as $1 million on a single project.

Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc., 5775-B Glenridge Dr., Suite 450, Atlanta, GA, 30328. Phone: 404-250-1290; Fax: 404-250-9185.