Smart Jacks in Marion, AR
Challenge
If you live in an area with humid weather, the floor can absorb moisture from the air during humid months. This will cause the wood to expand and can cause problems. This is what happened to Dave S out of Marion, AR. Dave called the experts at Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas.
Solution
The Supportworks Smart Jack™ is a supplemental support system for crawl space applications. The SmartJack® effectively supports sagging beams and floor joists caused by:
- Length of span greater than spanning capability of the members,
- Floor load added after construction, exceeding design values, and
- Weakening of members over time due to high moisture and rot.
The SmartJack® may also be used as a supplemental column support where an existing column and pier foundation has settled.
Allowable Capacity
The allowable system capacity of the assembled SmartJack® steel components is 30 kips (30,000 pounds). Axial compression tests completed at an independent laboratory on the assembled SmartJack® system, with and without a precast concrete footing, resulted in ultimate values between 56 kips and 90 kips.
While the rigidity and strength of the SmartJack® components benefit installation and overall product stability, the allowable load applied to the SmartJack® system will nearly always be limited by the bearing capacity of the existing soil.
The well-compacted crushed stone or recycled concrete base is a proven method to increase support for the higher bearing pressure condition immediately below the concrete footing, and then to absorb and distribute lower pressures to the existing soils. Except in extreme soft conditions, allowable loads on the order of 10 to 15 kips are typically achievable without the future appreciable settlement.
Should settlement of the SmartJack® system occur, adjustments are made easily by extending the all-thread rod.
