Sports Complex Supported on Rigid Inclusions in Deep Soft Clay Profile

The shores of Lake Erie are known for having areas with deep soft clay deposits. These soft clay profiles often result in the need for expensive deep foundation solutions to limit the potential for unfavorable total and differential settlements. Advancements in ground improvement, such as aggregate piers and rigid inclusions, are rapidly becoming a cost-effective foundation solution at these challenging sites. This paper discusses one such site in Sandusky, Ohio, where a relatively heavily loaded sports complex was supported on rigid inclusions extending through 12–13 m of very soft clays to tag limestone bedrock. This paper presents the geotechnical conditions at the project site, discusses the selected ground improvement solution and associated design approach, outlines the quality control program used during construction, and presents the results of the load testing program. The paper details the importance of the load testing program to verify the stiffness and continuity of the rigid inclusion elements so that the building performs as expected through the design life.