With the arrival of an El Nino year in Southern California, coastal home and rental or commercial property-owners from Santa Barbara to San Diego are already experiencing the power of high waves and tidal conditions. The heavier El Nino rains have just begun, and the results are now heart-breaking for our newest clients faced with the complex tasks involved with disaster recovery.
If you’re worried about your home or commercial property and have already experienced damage, Helfrich-Associates is a licensed structural engineering firm with decades of experience helping coastal home and property owners recover from disasters. The following mini case study demonstrates our approach to identifying the problems and designing solutions.
Coastal Erosion and Foundation Stabilization
Helfrich-Associates, Inc. recently conducted a geotechnical assessment of a coastal residential property experiencing significant erosion and damage to exterior improvements. The assessment included site observations, and a review of available geotechnical reports and construction plans was completed to evaluate foundation conditions and develop stabilization recommendations.
Site Conditions and Findings
The residence was supported by a combination of deep and shallow foundations. The landward portion was supported by drilled, reinforced concrete piers extending approximately 23 to 30 feet below grade, while the remaining portions were supported by spread footings on compacted fill soils. Ongoing wave action and high tides had caused significant erosion and undermining of backyard patios and seawalls. Portions of these improvements had shifted downslope, creating unstable conditions and potential safety hazards.
Geotechnical Recommendations
Based on our detailed assessment, Helfrich-Associates recommended the following stabilization measures be taken after removal of debris and initial site clean-up:
1. Helical Pier Underpinning: Underpinning portions of the residence nearest the shoreline to provide additional foundation support.
2. Removal of Damaged Improvements: Removing undermined patios and unstable backyard improvements to eliminate safety hazards.
3. Emergency Riprap Installation: Placing large rock materials along the exposed slope to provide temporary erosion protection during the winter season.
Conclusions
These property owners were fortunate in that some elements of structure stabilization were in place, or the damage could have been much worse. For commercial property owners such as those owning condominiums or apartments at the beach, they should consider maintaining a very healthy property damage reserve account.
At Helfrich Associates, we specialize in coastal property risk assessment, property and structure stabilization and disaster recovery. We’re the experts with dozens of successful major projects on file showing how we’ve helped California property owners and homeowners recover from all types of disasters.
Our team is well prepared to work with your insurance company, local building safety departments responsible for permits and a wide range of building contractor specialists. When these types of disasters occur, call us first and we’ll guide you through the recovery process step by step through a successful rebuild.