Swimming Pool Void Fill & Soil Stabilization

The recreation center pool at Colorado University in Boulder, was built in the early 1970’s. When the City water department contacted CU of Boulder concerning a large amount of water usage, an investigation of the pool and it’s drainage system was conducted. The pool’s auto fill feature was shut off, and the pool completely drained, losing 300,000 gallons of water overnight. It was discovered that the pool’s lower drain was damaged, causing the large loss of water.

Mark Young Construction was hired as the general contractor to perform repairs to the drain system. Through ground penetrating radar investigation, large voids were detected beneath the pool and mechanical room that had resulted from the water leak.

Mark Young Construction, a previous customer of CST, was aware of the effectiveness of CST’s polymer technologies and contacted Field Consultant Tom Henkel to provide an estimate and repair design to void fill beneath the pool and mechanical room areas.

Using data first gathered by GPR and then through CST’s own DCP testing and exploratory investigations, voided areas beneath the pool and floor slabs was determined. An injection design was created and CST’s crews installed expanding structural polymer (ESP) through small holes drilled through the pool floor and concrete slabs, filling voids, and strengthening soils weakened by the drain leak. Once void filling was complete, MYC would performed finish work and tile replacement to complete the project.

CST completed all void fill beneath the pool and mechanical room areas. A very small area of slab was also lifted back to elevation to provide stability for future mitigation of settlement.

All of CST’s investigative testing and void filling, and stabilization of the facility was efficiently completed in 2 shifts. The no excavation repair allowed the facility to quickly be put back into use.

The nondestructive nature of CST’s polymer injection technologies effectively stabilize and rehabilitate existing structures, mitigating against future damage and extending their use life without costly tear out and replacement.