For inquiries, please leave us your details.
+966 11 242 6606
While reviewing a beach resort with large areas of external timber decking, we noticed that all this decking was supported on a grid of concrete beam which, in their turn, were supported on hundreds of piles. When discussing the reason behind this heavy structure, consultant highlighted that there was a layer of silt at water table and the soil investigation recommended piling.
After value engineering, the timber decking main runners were supported on leveled plinths resting on grade, thus saving a lot of unnecessary piles and tie beams. Our approach was that for settlement to occur in silt, it has to be subjected to sustained load which will initiate consolidation. In our case, this is an external seating area serving restaurants where the dead load is negligible and the live load is occasional and does not exceed 5% of the service time of the structure. Accordingly, the risk of settlement is negligible. Moreover; the timber decking has to be changed every 15 years so, if there is any visible settlement in the plinth at that time, it can be easily repaired.