Giving Buildings A Foundation Makeover

Engineers can surgically strengthen a building’s foundation while the structure is still standing. This process, called underpinning, allows skyscrapers to grow taller or survive shifting soil without being demolished.

It is often cheaper to reinforce an existing foundation than to tear down a building and start over. This delicate operation involves digging beneath the footings to add extra support or stabilize the soil. It is even used to save historical landmarks that have begun to settle or tilt over time. By effectively replacing the "feet" of a building, engineers can give aging structures a completely new lease on life.