Posts Tagged engineering
Foundation Repair Contractors Receive Training about Various Foundation Repair Methods
Jeff Kortan, P.E., Director of Engineering for Foundation Supportworks, presented at the Foundation Repair Association’s annual conference last week in Houston, TX. The Foundation Repair Association is a professional organization that exists to promote high ethical standards in the practice of foundation repair and to promote cooperation between the foundation repair industry and government.
At the conference, Jeff presented about two common foundation repair methods: Push Pier Systems and Helical Pier Systems. The push pier presentation discussed how push pier systems are designed and tested, the proper way to install push pier systems, and how the systems develop a factor of safety. The presentation about helical pier systems explained common helical pier terminology, typical applications, how capacity is determined and verified, load testing, and ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria 358, which outlines the proper design and testing of helical foundation systems.
Engineering Seminar in Denver, CO Educates Design Professionals on Helical Foundation Systems
Complete Structural Systems, a division of Complete Basement Systems in Denver, CO, recently hosted a 5-hour engineering seminar for design professionals from across the state. Complete Structural Systems has been providing engineers, architects, general contractors and homeowners with foundation repair and stabilization solutions throughout Colorado for more than a decade. The seminar was held on March 10th, and attracted over 65 engineers looking to increase their understanding of deep foundation solutions, while also earning 5 professional development hours. 
Foundation Supportworks, a leading manufacturer and distributor of foundation stabilization equipment headquartered in Omaha, NE, was represented by their Director of Engineering, Jeff Kortan, PE. Jeff facilitated the event, which enabled attendees to ask questions and interact throughout the seminar. His presentation allowed the engineers in attendance to expand their knowledge about typical applications, design considerations, capacity calculations, and material selection for Foundation Supportworks helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, and push (resistance) pier systems.
Engineers Throughout Alabama Learn About Helical Foundation Systems
More than 60 engineers attended seminars hosted by Alabama Foundation Specialists in both Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama. Foundation Supportworks’ Director of Engineering, Jeff Kortan, P.E., facilitated the sessions which discussed the benefits, applications, capacities and testing requirements for helical foundation systems, helical soil nails and push pier systems. The five hour long presentations allowed for a great deal of interaction, question and answer time, and networking for the engineers. While many of the engineers in attendance had experience specifying helical and push pier systems in commercial projects in the past, some were excited to learn about this deep foundation alternative for the first time and saw immediate applications on current projects. Alabama Foundation Specialists is the leading structural contractor in the Alabama area, servicing communities such as Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery, AL as well as Columbus, GA and Chattanooga, TN. 
To find out about other engineering seminars offered throughout the country by Foundation Supportworks, please visit the “Upcoming Events” tab on our website.
Foundation Supportworks Dealer Recognized as a Business Leader and Innovator
Jesse Waltz, P.E., Founder and President of JES Construction, a leading engineering solutions company specializing in foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawlspace moisture control, was recently recognized as a 2010 Excellence Award Winner and a finalist for the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by Inside Business, the Hampton Roads business journal. This award recognizes individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit and hard work have resulted in significant accomplishments in Hampton Roads, VA.
Established in 1993, JES has grown from one employee into a company with three locations and over 100 employees, with more than $15 million in revenue in 2009. Throughout the company’s history, Waltz has consulted with foundation contractors around the country on foundation repair and business management, but still wanted to monitor his own business while away from the office. As a result, Waltz developed BizWiz®, a Web-based business management system designed for the foundation repair industry and other home improvement industries. According to Waltz, “With BizWiz®, I can determine at the touch of a button, while anywhere in the world, what is happening at JES.” Currently this management system is being used by more than 40 Foundation Supportworks and Basement Systems dealers throughout the United States and Canada, and it is revolutionizing the way they do business.
Foundation Supportworks is proud to be partners with Jesse Waltz and his team at JES Construction. To view the full article in the Hampton Roads Business Journal, click here. Congratulations to everyone at TEAM JES!
Foundation Supportworks Published for Second Time in NAHI Forum Magazine
The NAHI Forum, a quarterly publication from the National Association of Home Inspectors, published a second consecutive article from Foundation Supportworks called “Identifying Conditions for Structural Concerns.” This article focused on the symptoms, causes and options for repair for cracked, bowing and leaning foundation walls. Jeff Kortan, P.E., Director of Engineering for Foundation Supportworks, authored the article aimed to educate home inspectors on properly diagnosing failing foundation walls.
Foundation Supportworks Publishes Article in NAHI Forum Magazine
NAHI Article About Foundation Repair
Jeff Kortan, PE, Director of Engineering for Foundation Supportworks, published the first of four articles in the NAHI Forum Magazine. NAHI, the National Association of Home Inspectors, is a national non-profit organization which develops and promotes home inspectors in the professional home inspection industry. The article, titled “Identifying Conditions for Structural Concerns,” was part one of a four part series of articles. The article series focuses on the causes, symptoms and solutions to common structural problems and serves as an educational tool for home inspectors across the nation.