Foundation Supportworks Director of Engineering, Jeff Kortan, PE, presented two 5-hour engineering seminars in Portland, OR and Eugene, OR during the week of February 7th. TerraFirma Foundation Systems hosted the events where more than 50 engineers were in attendance. The 5-hour seminars gave local engineers in Oregon an opportunity to obtain 5 Professional Development Hours as well expand their knowledge about typical applications, design considerations, capacity calculations, and material selection for Foundation Supportworks helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, and push pier systems.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, Foundation Supportworks submitted the Model HP288 helical foundation system for evaluation by the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES). The ICC submittal included laboratory and field testing along with structural analysis performed in accordance with the ICC Acceptance Criteria for Helical Foundation Systems and Devices (AC358). The submittal will ultimately culminate in an ICC-ES Evaluation Report to show code compliance of the Model HP288 product with the International Building Code (IBC) and the California Building Code (CBC). The Evaluation Report will further allow design professionals as well as Foundation Supportworks installing contractors to easily specify the Model HP288 System for projects that require code compliance.

The testing required for the submittal under AC358 is quite comprehensive and included:

• Twelve shaft and helix torsion tests
• Twelve helix capacity tests
• Fifteen retrofit bracket capacity tests
• Eight full scale field load tests in compression
• Eight full scale field load tests in tension
• Structural calculations for shaft/couplings and new construction brackets

Foundation Supportworks is committed to being the leading manufacturer of helical foundation systems and is proud to have completed this important phase in verifying code compliance of our products.

We are pleased to announce that Foundation Supportworks (FSI) was issued U.S. design patent D620,343 S for the FSI Model 288 Foundation Pier Bracket.

“The design of this bracket is unique to the foundation repair industry and gives FSI installing contractors an innovative product that has been appropriately designed and tested. Our contractors can feel confident knowing that our pier systems will perform as promised,” said Jeff Kortan, P.E., Director of Engineering for FSI.

Foundation support systems are highly specialized and require a thorough understanding of load paths and interaction with interface materials. The Model 288 Foundation Pier Bracket, along with all FSI products, has been designed in accordance with traditional, accepted AISC methods and was then tested to confirm product capacity. The bracket has been further tested in accordance with testing criteria approved by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES).

Foundation Supportworks is committed to continually offering new and unique products to our network of installing contractors, and this patented bracket is no exception. For more information about this product or other Foundation Supportworks products, contact the FSI engineering department at 800-281-8545.

Larry Janesky, Co-Founder and Vice President of Foundation Supportworks, was recognized recently for his book, “The Highest Calling“, an inspirational novel about business and life, struggle and success.

Small Business Trends awarded “The Highest Calling“ with the Readers Choice #1 Small Business Book of the year!  To view the Small Business Trends book review of “The Highest Calling”, click here: The Highest Calling Book Review

Larry’s vision and leadership is part of what makes Foundation Supportworks a leader in the foundation stabilization industry. Foundation Supportworks offers a complete line of foundation stabilization products, but even more importantly, provides training and support to help small business owners grow their business and become more successful.  To find out more about how to become a Foundation Supportworks dealer, click here: FSI Dealer Info

Foundation Supportworks and Thrasher Basement Systems employees teamed up over the summer to give back to the community and help a family in need. In an effort organized by Rebuilding Together, more than 25 Foundation Supportworks and Thrasher employees came together to help Annie Clark by waterproofing her basement and stabilizing her bownig basement walls, utilizing the Foundation Supportworks Geo-Lock Wall Anchor System.  A video testimonial can be viewed here: 

Foundation Supportworks conducted a Management Training to more than 25 foundation contractors last week. Topics included leadership styles, the hiring process, new hire orientation, coaching difficult employees, motivating high potential employees, performance management, effective rewards, and more. This highly interactive event created opportunities for in-depth discussion on real-world employee problems and opportunities, role playing on how to address common employee situations, and group brainstorming on ideas and best practices that could be shared throughout the Foundation Supportworks dealer network.