What are the uses of caissons
Many of our clients are very interested in caissons and caisson shoring, and often ask us, what are caissons used for? Well, caissons are a type of deep foundation that are used to protect and support a home or commercial building. Caissons are incredibly important in the construction of buildings in the Greater Los Angeles area, which is known for violent earthquakes. In our region, even moderate seismic activity can literally toss a structure off its foundation, and this is why caissons are a brilliant way to secure the foundation of hillside homes or any type of a structure that is built on an “active” soil such that it can sink or slide (e.g., during an earthquake, mudslide, or landslide).
When are caissons used
Steel caissons and drilled piers are essential for homes built on hillsides, and are used to stabilize those homes and keep them safe. Not only do steel caissons keep buildings safe, but in doing so, they can help keep everyone living or working inside of them safe as well. Here is another way of looking at it: piles and caissons are so strong that they are used to support the weight of cars and trucks that drive on freeways! Because caissons are built deep into the ground, when the soil around the building starts moving, for example due to seismic activity, the building will not move with it. Again, if our City government is using caissons to hold up our bridges and freeways, think about how much support your home or commercial property will have if it is protected by caissons!
Are caissons permanent
Our clients often wonder if caissons are permanent, and the answer is generally, yes! Caissons are made by pouring mixed concrete and reinforcing steel into drilled shafts. At first, the caisson steel cage is fabricated on-site, above ground level, and then lifted in the air and placed, along with added support, into a shaft drilled through soil and rock in the ground. Once the caissons are in their dug shafts, they are ready for concrete to be poured in. These shafts are of a predetermined diameter and drilled by the caisson contractor to a depth which varies, depending on the location and how deep the bedrock is under the building. For example, sometimes bedrock is found at only a foot below the ground, while in other areas it can be up to 15 feet deep, and sometimes even deeper. However, caissons go even deeper because they are drilled 2-5 feet into the bedrock.
How much do caissons cost
One of the first questions we get when discussing the option of caissons with a client, is how much do caissons cost? Well, the price for caissons can vary widely, depending on the expertise of the caisson contractor that is building them, as well as whether the caisson contractor has the right equipment and materials on-hand. Not all Los Angeles construction companies can build caissons, and those contractors who are experienced in building caissons are often provide customers with a better price than contractors that merely dabble in such construction methods.
Ask yourself a simple question: if your LA “Earthquake Country” home or commercial property is on a hillside in an area prone to mudslides or landslides (which are very likely to happen when you live on, or close to, a hillside), wouldn’t you rather have this structure protected by caissons drilled into solid rock, or do you want to “chance it”?
The good news is that the professionals at Weinstein Construction are expert caisson builders, and can design caissons to fit all budgets! call Weinstein Construction today at (888) 412-8363 for a free inspection and review of your caisson needs!
