Building Foundations & Grade Beams
Structural foundation systems including drilled piers and grade beams for industrial buildings.
Building foundations in North Texas must be designed for the unique challenges of our expansive clay soils. Pier and beam foundations, drilled shafts, grade beams, and post-tensioned slabs all have their place depending on site conditions and building loads. As your general contractor, we build foundations that perform reliably over the building's life.
Geotechnical investigation is the starting point for foundation design. Borings reveal soil conditions, groundwater levels, and bearing capacity. The geotech report drives foundation recommendations. We work with structural engineers to develop designs appropriate for your specific site, not generic solutions that may be over- or under-designed.
Drilled piers extend through expansive surface soils to reach stable bearing strata. Pier depths in the Mid-Cities area typically range from 15 to 30 feet depending on soil conditions. We install piers using truck-mounted augers, with concrete placed and reinforcement installed same-day.
Grade beams span between piers to support building loads. These heavily reinforced concrete beams distribute building weight to the piers while resisting the heaving and settlement forces from expansive clays. Proper grade beam sizing prevents the foundation cracks and building movement that plague structures with inadequate foundations.
What's Included
Common Project Scenarios
New industrial building on expansive clay soils
Commercial building requiring deep foundation system
Building addition connecting to existing foundation
Heavy manufacturing requiring specialized foundations
Ideal For
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do buildings in North Texas need special foundations?
The clay soils common in this region expand when wet and shrink when dry, creating significant ground movement. Foundations must either move with the soil without cracking or be isolated from soil movement through deep piers. Standard slab foundations often crack in these conditions.
How deep do piers need to be?
Pier depth depends on soil conditions revealed by geotechnical investigation. In the Grapevine area, piers typically extend 15-30 feet to reach stable bearing material. The geotech engineer specifies depth based on soil borings at your specific site.
What's the difference between drilled piers and pressed piles?
Drilled piers are constructed by augering holes and filling with reinforced concrete: this is new construction. Pressed piles are steel or concrete segments hydraulically pressed into the ground: this is typically used for foundation repair. New buildings use drilled piers.
How long does foundation work take?
Foundation construction typically runs 4-8 weeks depending on building size and pier count. Drilling, concrete placement, and curing time drive the schedule. Grade beams require formwork, reinforcement, and concrete placement in sequence.
Are post-tensioned slabs better than conventional reinforcement?
Post-tensioning places the slab in compression, which resists cracking better than conventional reinforcement in tension. For buildings on expansive soils, post-tensioned slabs can be thinner and perform better. However, they require specialized contractors and quality control.
Request a Bid
Contact us about your building foundations & grade beams project. We respond to qualified inquiries within one business day.
Get StartedCall (682) 841-5785We Work With
- —Industrial Developers
- —Property Owners
- —End Users / Occupants
- —Investment Groups
We do not provide subcontracting services. We are the general contractor.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your building foundations & grade beams project. We'll review your requirements and respond within one business day.