In Washington, Tensar provided an economical foundation design that provides support for considerably less cost than a deep foundation system:

1. alluvial and wind-blown soils, including
highly plastic volcanic ash and a high
water table, were present at the site.
In 1990, Williams evaluated several
design alternatives for the adjacent
retail site, and decided to use a layered
system of Tensar® geogrids. This system,
a precursor to today’s Dimension™
Foundation Improvement System,
interacted with structural fill soils to
create a stiffened platform over weak,
compressible soils. That design decision
was based on the need for very small
t differential and
total settlements, as
well as the cost savings over a deep
foundation system. Williams says, “As
of 1999, that structure is performing
very well, with settlements less than
predicted.”
For the Staples site, Shannon &
Wilson chose the Dimension System.
Williams explains, “Based on previous
experience with Tensar Earth Technolo-
gies, I just knew it would work. We
used Tensar Earth Technologies’ new
Dimension™ Solution Software to aid
in designing the structural fill section
beneath wall and column footings. By
using the software to analyze the
bearing capacity and settlement, we
were able to optimize the design by
looking at a variety of design alternatives.”
Williams concludes: “In the end,
we were able to provide our client with
an economical foundation design that
supports their structure at considerably
less cost than a deep foundation system.
❷ Primary components of the Dimension
System include compacted, cohesionless fill
and Tensar BX6100 or BX6200 geogrids.
Based on previous experience
with Tensar Earth Technologies,
I just knew it would work.
Brian J. Williams, P.E., P.G.
Principal Engineer
Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
”
“
Dimension®
System
Supports Staples Store
CONCRETE FOOTING
MSE COMPOSITE RAFT FOUNDATION
© 1999, Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc. Tensar, Sierra, Spectra, Mesa, Triton, and Dimension are trademarks. Certain foreign trademark
rights also exist. The information contained herin had been carefully compiled by Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc. and to the best of its
knowledge accurately represents Tensar product use in the applications which are illustrated. Final determination of the suitability of any
information or material for the use contemplated and its manner of use is the sole responsibility of the user. Printed in the U.S.A.
Tensar Earth
Technologies, Inc.
5883 Glenridge Drive • Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30328
Tel. 800-TENSAR-1
Fax. 404-250-9185
www.tensarcorp.com
BRO-GEO9.2
As the second largest office supply
superstore chain in the U.S., Staples, Inc.
continues its aggressive growth with a
new store in Sunnyside, Washington.
The building, a high-bay reinforced
masonry structure with steel framing,
is being constructed in a location
already known to have poor on-site
soils. Because of the challenging site
conditions, the Richland, Washington
office of Shannon & Wilson, Inc. was
asked to provide the geotechnical
design for First Western Development
Services (Edmonds, WA).
Based on previous experience at an
adjacent retail site (with a very similar
structure), Brian Williams, the geotech-
nical engineer, recognized that very soft