Underpinning Heritage Courthouse Building

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This fine 19th Century building was raised and re-levelled by Uretek and large wall cracks closed up,
The building foundations were also re-supported by Deep-Injection.

Heritage courthouse building underpinned by Uretek expanding resin injection

Old courthouse building, part of Silverton's heritage

This heritage building of the Silverton Village Committee, at Silverton, Broken Hill, used to be the Court House, built in 1889. From 1948 it has served as accommodation for visiting youth groups and a function centre for locals.

Over the years the building sank a little. The brick building was set on foundation ground containing much clay. When dry, the clay shrank and the footings lost support. Then, with occasional inundation from the nearby creek and from torrential rain and broken pipes, the clay had become so saturated and mushy that again support failed.

The result was very extensive cracking appeared in the walls in the rear of the building. Cracks were up to 17 mm wide.

Last November, Ron Hellyer, the Heritage Engineer, called Uretek Ground Engineering.Manager, Arthur Winrow brought his small team of specialist Uretek Technicians from Adelaide with their self-contained mobile factory. They injected a mix of structural resins into the foundation ground. The resins combined chemically and expanded. Two aims were achieved: injection immediately under the footings raised the building back to level, and injection deeper into the ground substantially improved the bearing capacity of the foundation.

Underpinning the old courthouse building was donewith great care

In raising and re-levelling the building the huge forces created were applied gradually, monitored by laser level to achieve just the right lift in each part of the building. Lifting in this case was generally between 10 and 14 mm. Wall cracks closed at least 90% of the way: sufficient for gap-filling and re-painting.

The ‘Deep-Injection’ filled voids and cracks in the ground, then the continued resin expansion compacted the ground, increasing its bearing capacity. Arthur Winrow explained that Uretek can produce 1,000 kPa pressure, if required!

A very successful job… and fast too, taking just five hours. Mr Hellyer was pleased to report that he and the Silverton Village Committee were very satisfied, even quite delighted, with Uretek’s speed and effectiveness.