Helical Pier Stabilization at Casa del Sol Apartments in Pueblo, Colorado

Stabilizing a Settling Multi-Family Foundation with Helical Piers

Casa del Sol Apartments, a multi-family residential complex in Pueblo, Colorado, experienced major foundation and slab settlement. As movement increased, the building developed severe differential settlement. Residents ultimately vacated the entire structure for more than a year.

To correct the problem, Straight Line Construction furnished and installed a commercial helical pier stabilization system per the engineered repair design. Work began in mid-November. Crews worked six days per week. The team stabilized the structure and completed cleanup by December 17, 2025.

Settlement Conditions and Repair Strategy

Soil moisture contributed to differential settlement below the foundation and slab-on-grade floors. Elevation readings showed as much as 10 inches of settlement in some areas. Consequently, the slab lost uniform support and the structure shifted out of level.

The building also showed visible distress. Interior walls and drywall revealed significant stress cracking and deformation.

The repair approach required a deep foundation solution. Helical piers provided the right combination of capacity, control, and speed. They also transfer loads into competent bearing strata to reduce future movement.

Helical Pier System Specifications: One Pier Shaft, Two Bracket Types

Straight Line Construction furnished and installed helical piers throughout the building. The system supported both the perimeter foundations and the interior slab-on-grade floor areas.

The system included:

• 58 foundation helical piers installed with underpinning (repair) brackets
• 122 slab support helical piers installed with slab brackets (also called fold-up slab brackets)
  
  

Importantly, the helical pier shafts were the same across the entire project.

All piers used Ram Jack 2-7/8″ steel helical pier shafts with a powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance.

The bracket type changed based on what was being supported:

• Underpinning brackets transferred foundation loads into the piers
• Fold-up slab brackets transferred slab loads into the piers

Helical Pier Installation and Load Transfer

The crew installed exterior piers using mini-excavator equipment. They installed interior piers using man-portable systems. This approach improved production while protecting interior access.

Pier depths varied widely throughout the building. Final depths ranged from 14 feet to 49 feet. Therefore, the system could bypass unstable soils and reach suitable bearing strata.

During installation, the crew advanced and torqued each pier to meet the engineered performance requirements. This ensured reliable load transfer from the foundation and slab into competent bearing strata.

Lift and Leveling: Maximum Practical Recovery

After installation, crews performed a coordinated lift of the structure. They used hydraulic manifolds with multiple synchronized jacks. This approach allowed controlled lifting along the foundation.

Next, the slab areas were releveled using the fold-up slab brackets. Crews adjusted brackets with impact wrenches. They also used mud-jacking to fill voids under the slab and improve support.

The team achieved maximum practical recovery across the building. As a result, the foundation and slab elevations were recovered, generally to within a few inches of level.