Contact: Rich Treanor
Director, Special Projects
925.640.8680
Two New Wafflemat Engineering Case Studies Available
Reports for Slab on Grade and Basement Configurations Provide Technical Data for Engineers and
Cost Savings Data for Builders
PLEASANT HILL, CA – August 23, 2006 – Best Base today announced two new papers for both engineers and developers. Prepared by Front Range Engineering of Englewood, Colorado, “Structural Engineering Case Study Report: PT Wafflemat Slab with Basement Foundation System,” and “Structural Engineering Case Study Report: Wafflemat Slab on Grade Post-Tensioned Foundation System” can both be found at www.thebestbase.com, in the ‘Technical Papers’ section on the Home Page.
Jim Winslow, Director of Best Base, said: “Developers in Colorado face some of the toughest soil conditions in the entire United States, as it’s not uncommon to over-ex 15 or more feet before building. This not only presents a significant cost to the developer now, but also in the future, when warranty claims arising from issues such as soil expansion and settlement must be dealt with.”
Winslow continued: “We went to Front Range to see how the Wafflemat foundation-forming system would perform in this difficult environment because they not only have a wealth of knowledge in the structural arena, but also a solid geotechnical background. And, since approximately 60% of all homes in Colorado have basements, the need for a firm versed in both designs (slab on grade and basements) and disciplines (structure and geotechnical) was critical.”
Dale Guillen, P.E., and Principal of Front Range Engineering, along with Aurora Charlton, Engineering Manager of Front Range, noted: “Each paper is targeted for the engineer and developer communities building on expansive soils, and will provide a tremendous amount of information in regard to not only the design and installation of Wafflemat, but sample areas of cost savings too. And, with the ever-increasing prospect of higher material prices, Wafflemat not only offers substantial hard dollar savings, but is significantly stronger when compared to other systems, such as earthen-ribbed post-tensioned foundations.”
Steve Pankoski, President and CEO of Stryan Structural Systems of Englewood, Colorado, said: “The reports detail the cost savings that can be expected by the builder when utilizing Wafflemat, and include, for both slab on grade and basement configurations, some of the following:”
· Reduced labor costs, as the excavation is simple and there is no need for high labor to remove excessive dirt out of deep trenches. All you have to do is simply install the edge-step forms, and lay down the Waffleboxes.
· The ability, through additional reinforcing (either by tendons or conventional reinforcing), to handle higher-swelling soil conditions with less deformation and thinner slab sections than earth-formed ribs is greatly improved.
· The ability to withstand larger cantilevers created by soil design parameters, because the Wafflemat’s beams are 3’8” on center rather than 6’ – 15’ normally encountered for swelling conditions. And, similar to wood construction, the closer the ribs, the larger the cantilever and amount of load they can carry.
more
· The use of a frost-protected shallow foundation system would still require that a slightly deeper exterior trench (18”) be installed; however, and since the Wafflemat already is 13.5”, there is reduced excavation and materials.
· A built-in structural basement floor capable of withstanding higher values of stress and movement when compared to a non-structural slab on grade.
Pankoski concluded: “The soil conditions in Colorado are among the toughest anywhere, and builders are faced with very difficult and costly solutions when trying to deal with them. Wafflemat is an extremely cost-effective alternative. These reports provide engineers with the necessary technical data and examples of how it compares to a P/T slab, and builders with examples of cost savings they can expect to experience.”
About Best Base Foundation Systems
Best Base distributes proven foundation systems to contractors, developers, and engineers who need reliable, load-bearing capacity in stable, collapsible, and expansive soils.
For over 20 years, the company’s Wafflemat™ foundation-forming system, Winslow Geo Anchor™, Lateral Force Resistance Device™, pipe pile, and wide flange solutions have been installed across the United States and Mexico to provide support to millions of square feet of structures as diverse as homes, industrial and commercial buildings, bridges, pools, solar arrays and heliostats – without one structural failure.
In addition to having an unparalleled track record of reliability, Best Base solutions significantly reduce costs when compared to alternative designs, providing extensive savings in soils prep, materials, and building cycle time, while also mitigating future warranty issues. Visit www.thebestbase.com or call 925.683.2739.
All product and company names are the property of their respective owners.