BATES UTILITIES IMPLEMENTS MEGA BRACE SHORING FOR INNOVATIVE SINKHOLE REPAIR SOLUTION
THE PROBLEM
A massive sinkhole opened near Interstate 55 in South St. Louis City. The city's water department confirmed that the sinkhole was caused by a water main break, which resulted in water flowing beneath and eroding the ground. This erosion ultimately led to a partial collapse of Idaho Avenue near Blow Street. Bates Utility Company, Inc. called in to assess and repair the water main break responsible for the sinkhole.
To ensure safety in a 30-foot-deep excavation, Bates utilized a combination of shoring systems, including sheet piles, street plates, soldier beams, and wood lagging, all secured with mega bracing. Additionally, they employed a waler system consisting of structural beams and spreader bars.
“The water main broke, the filtration found a way down to the sewer main, which is 30ft deep. Over time, it undermined everything, and the street collapsed. When it collapsed, it tore electric lines and water lines underground,” said Steve Bates, Bates Utility Superintendent, St. Louis, MO.
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SHORING SOLUTION
The system FROM Luby Shoring Services integrates several key components: Z-shaped sheet piles, 8x20 street plates, soldier beams, and wood lagging, all secured with mega bracing. The waler system comprises structural beams tailored to fit, supported by lookouts. Each corner is welded together before the spreader bars are installed, with the bottom bar being hydraulic.
“This is our first time using these spreaders, and they're fantastic – easy to install and highly effective. As pressure is applied, you can see the walls expanding outward with a thousand psi in each corner," Boyer said.
TRENCH SAFETY MEASURES
“Trench safety at Bates Utility is top priority, and no work begins until every safety measure is fully implemented. The company has rigorous safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of our employees,” Boyer said.
The Mega Brace system was engineered by D. H. Charles Engineering, Santa Rosa, CA. They evaluated the job site and developed robust shoring and bracing systems to guarantee the trench's structural integrity. The trench was 30 feet deep down to the flow line, with a 45-by-16-foot excavation created for the installation of the Mega Brace system.