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Ram Jack of Tennessee Installs (210) Helical Piles to Repair Memphis Pyramid Foundation for Bass Pro Shop
May 2013
Project Overview
The Memphis Pyramid, past home for the Memphis Grizzlies and currently the home of Bass Pro Shops, needed to undergo redevelopment and demolition. The footings supporting the precast concrete panels (10 ft. wide x 44 ft. Tall) at the base of the pyramid experienced differential settlement of up to 6 inches. This settlement caused panels to crack and pull away from the upper deck mezzanine level. The soils report indicated a very soft soil layer beginning approximately 15-feet below grade - characterized by some as “like a milkshake.” The blow count of the soil ranged between 1 and 10 until about 45-feet below grade.
Solution:
Ram Jack of Tennessee was awarded the opportunity to work with Montgomery Martin on the Memphis Pyramid Redevelopment Project, Package 3A - Seismic. Starting in quadrant #4 (NE corner) 16 triple helicals were driven an average depth of 58 ft. From there, they moved to quadrant #3 (NW corner). Immediately, they discovered the sub-strata soil difference from Q4 where the first 7 triple helicals went an average depth of 94 ft. When moving to quadrant #2, Ram Jack TN had to bring in a larger excavator to help in the excavation process and clearing the debris within the top 8-10 ft. of soils.
(210) 2.875 inch round shaft helical piles with 10,12,14 inch helical bearing plates and the patented threaded connection were installed to 6900 ft. lbs. to achieve a working load of 30 kips. The helical piles were attached to Ram Jack underpinning brackets, and lifting was accomplished using the Ram Jack dual cylinder lifting system.
Once the helical piles were installed and the lifting and stabilization was complete, the contractor installed bridge piling next to the Pyramid to stabilize the entire structure.
Ram Jack of Tennessee finished the project on time in (20) working days and within budget.
Some pictures courtesy of
Montgomery Martin Contractors, LLC