Building Material

Ground Strengthening vs. Traditional Foundation Repair: Which Is Better?

Introduction

The safety of any building depends on the strength of its foundation. Yet even the most carefully designed structures are vulnerable to foundation settlement caused by weak soils, groundwater fluctuations, or inadequate compaction. When cracks appear, floors tilt, or walls shift, property owners must decide how to address the problem: traditional foundation repair or modern ground strengthening.

While both approaches aim to restore stability, their methods, costs, sustainability, and long-term effectiveness differ significantly. As a global leader in foundation subsidence treatment and soil stabilization, Hengxiang Hongye specializes in innovative ground improvement solutions that prevent and correct settlement issues across residential, industrial, public, and infrastructure projects. Learn more about our technologies here: Ground Strengthening Solutions

What Is Traditional Foundation Repair?

Traditional foundation repair focuses on correcting damage to the foundation itself, often by adding new structural supports. Common techniques include:

Underpinning: Installing concrete or steel piers beneath foundations to reach stable soil or bedrock.
Slab replacement: Demolishing and re-pouring concrete slabs.
Piling systems: Driving piles deep into the ground to transfer loads to stronger strata.
Beam reinforcement: Adding new structural members to support weakened areas.

Strengths of Traditional Repair

Effective for severe foundation failures.
Can restore structural integrity when collapse is imminent.
Longstanding methods widely accepted by engineers and building codes.

Limitations

Costly and time-consuming, often requiring excavation.
Disruptive, with noise, dust, and the need for relocation.
Environmentally heavy, generating large amounts of debris and emissions.
Often treats symptoms rather than the root cause: weak soil.

What Is Ground Strengthening?

Ground strengthening focuses on improving the soil beneath the foundation instead of replacing structural elements. By reinforcing soil layers, eliminating voids, and distributing loads evenly, it addresses the root cause of settlement.

Hengxiang Hongye applies cutting-edge techniques, including:

Jet Grouting – High-pressure mixing of soil and grout to form strong soil-cement columns.
Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) – Mechanical blending of soil and stabilizing binders.
Resin Injection – Expanding resins fill voids and lift slabs gently.
Compaction and Permeation Grouting – Injecting materials to densify loose soils.
Layered Reinforcement – Strengthening shallow and deep soil layers in stages.