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Tight quarter and low headroom foundation drilling capabilities of equipment used. The equipment is sized for the available access:
Drilling depths up to 70 feet
Entrance width as narrow as 3 feet
Entrance heights as low as 5 feet
Pier diameters of 12" to 36"
Bell Diameter up to 72"
Rock capabilities
DFC has had over 50 years of experience in the installation of shafts for elevator jacks throughout Texas. DFC has drilled shafts inside operating churches, hospitals, banks, offices, warehouses, and numerous other buildings. We have the capability of removing existing casings, portions of hydraulic cylinders, rock drilling, drilling beneath the water table, straightening existing shafts, redrilling existing shafts, and drilling new holes. DFC’s elevator clients have included Otis Elevator, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, and Schindler Elevator. We have dismantled existing elevator systems, drilled interior pier for new elevator pits, and excavated for the construction of new pits.
DFC underpins commercial buildings using our specialized drilling equipment. The equipment allows for the placement of piers around landscaping, under roof overhangs, beneath canopies, and inside structures. The underpinning piers are usually installed as part of foundation leveling operations. The piers can also be used to shore damaged structural elements of a building or for stabilizing a building foundation.
DFC has been leveling multi-story and heavy structures since 1966. Years of experience paired with the proper equipment has allowed us to successfully complete many challenging projects. Foundation types have included slab-on-grade, suspended concrete slabs supported on piers or spread footings, and stone foundations usually found on historic buildings. We have leveled churches, gymnasiums, schools, tower cranes, and office buildings.
DFC underpins historic buildings such as the historic Gift Chapel at Fort Sam Houston, the Hops House at the old Lone Star Brewery, the Boiler House at the Pearl Brewery, Comal County Courthouse and Mission San Juan de Capistrano.
For over forty years, DFC has been involved in the excavation of soils from beneath existing structures. Soil can be removed to restore voids under structural elements or plumbing. The removal of soil is often required to access structural elements for foundation leveling. Soil removal can be accomplished by hand or using skid steer loaders. All of our excavation equipment is equipped with catalytic converters to maintain a healthy environment for workers and building occupants.
DFC is often involved in the investigation of foundation failures. We aid the owners and their representatives in determining the cause and extent of foundation failures. We are often asked by engineers and architects for our advice in choosing the appropriate method of repairs, as well as estimates for the cost of repair.
DFC underpins commercial buildings using our specialized drilling equipment. The equipment allows for the placement of piers around landscaping, under roof overhangs, beneath canopies, and inside structures. The underpinning piers are usually installed as part of foundation leveling operations. The piers can also be used to shore damaged structural elements of a building or for stabilizing a building foundation.
Foundation problems can be caused by subsurface water. DFC has over fifty years’ experience installing french drains. French drains are often installed outside the building line to intercept subsurface water. We have installed french drains under existing buildings as part of water collection systems. Sump pumps are sometimes required to complete the drainage system. The installation of sump pumps is also within the scope of our operations. We often install french drains as part of waterproofing systems to prevent leakage into basements. We also install waterproofing materials on basement walls.
Proper surface drainage is essential to the performance of foundations built over expansive soils. DFC recommends surface drainage improvements as part of any plan to improve foundation performance. Years of experience enable us to provide the owner with practical solutions to surface drainage problems.
The installation of concrete retaining walls has been included in our scope of work for the last twenty years. DFC uses steel ply forms for cast-in-place concrete walls. We have constructed walls with cantilever foundations, drilled pier foundations, and a combination of both. We have experience constructing retaining walls using precast concrete wall panels. They can be inserted into wide flange columns supported by piers or by cast-in-place concrete columns with slots to accept the panels.
The installation of suspended concrete foundations also became part of our operation fifteen years ago. We limit our operation to smaller projects such as additions and mechanical rooms. Because of our excavation and pier drilling capabilities, DFC is able to handle the project from site excavation to the placement of concrete for the suspended slab.
For over forty years, DFC has been involved in repairing the structural members of concrete frame, steel frame, and precast concrete structures. Repairs have involved the total replacement of structural elements, epoxy injection of distressed concrete, and reinforcement of welded connections. Our foundation leveling equipment and experience gives us the capabilities to shore damaged areas so that repairs can be made safely. We are often called upon to make emergency repairs to structures. Emergency shoring operations and emergency structural repairs have been completed at schools, shopping malls, and parking garages.
DFC is a certified installer of Chance Helical Products. Helical piers can be installed as an alternative to drilled piers. Helical piers are installed to underpin existing structures, as additional support for new construction and as tie backs for earth retaining structures. The installation time is faster than drilled piers and the helical piers can be installed in limited access situations. DFC installs helical piers when specified by the design professional.
DFC is often involved in general construction projects. We choose projects that utilize as many of our areas of expertise as possible. Projects that include excavation, drilled piers, concrete forming, and placement allow us to utilize many of our skills. DFC usually acts as prime contractor on projects of this type.
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| 2215 Belknap Pl. San Antonio, TX 78212-1904 Phone (210) 824-3800 Fax (210) 824-9525 Download our brochure |
James Duderstadt, Owner jfduderstadt@gmail.com |
Frank J. Duderstadt, Sr. Project Manager fjduderstadt@gmail.com |
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© 2015 Duderstadt Foundation & Construction, LLC. All Rights Reserved.