The impact of prolonged dry weather on building foundations
After months of little to no rainfall, many Australian regions are experiencing drier than average ground conditions. This weather pattern looks likely to continue, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting drier than average Summer conditions, following one of the driest winters on record for large parts of the country. Coinciding with this dry spell are
Inside Mainmark: Mike Baker, Around Wellington
What is your role at Mainmark? As Mainmark New Zealand’s Area Manager in Wellington, I’m on the ground, working closely with our customers throughout their ground remediation journey. From first contact, initial site visit and assessment of the issue and ground conditions, I liaise with customers until completion of works, making sure everything runs smoothly.
Time efficient solutions for lifting large concrete slabs in industrial environments
Large concrete slabs play an important role in warehousing and logistics environments, where hardstands for loading and unloading heavy road freight trucks and haulage vehicles, and vast storage facilities are essential to core business operations. If these heavy concrete slabs are compromised in any way, due to underlying issues below ground, it can significantly disrupt
Inside Mainmark: developing a career in ground engineering
For most young undergraduate engineers, ground engineering is not a top-of-mind focus when deciding on career path. However, the opportunity to learn about new ground improvement technologies and methodologies has made the journey incredibly worthwhile for three young engineers in the Mainmark team. When Theo Hnat (BE (Hons), MEngNZ) was a first-year student completing a
How innovative monitoring and engineering solutions can help renew bridge networks
As bridges gradually age and absorb increasing traffic volumes, regular inspections and maintenance are crucial, to ensure structural integrity, stability and safety well into the future. There are an estimated 53,000 public road bridges in Australia covering various distances to provide access across rivers, inaccessible terrain, elevated surfaces and city infrastructure. For the asset managers
The tape tells a story when treating the causes of wall cracks
Not all cracks are the same; the type, size and location of cracking is important to consider when identifying the cause of the issue, as well as the best steps to resolve the problem. In the same way, measuring the success of a remediation project draws on a combination of tools. Different types of wall
How leaking water pipes can wreak havoc on a home’s foundations
Cracked pipes, blocked gutters and broken sewer lines are a surprisingly common cause of the foundation issues that can affect properties. Put simply, when the ground becomes oversaturated and waterlogged, the soil is weakened and loses strength, which can result in structural issues. For homeowners, the best way to avoid the costs of repairing foundation
Global markets continue to embrace Mainmark’s innovative ground engineering solutions
Mainmark has been providing specialist ground engineering and asset preservation solutions since 1983. Originally founded in Australia, our local operation has grown into a global enterprise with offices in New Zealand, Japan and the UK. Mainmark’s global standing received a boost after it won a major Ground Engineering Award in 2016 for its work in
A commitment to excellence: remembering Mainmark founder Philip Mack
On 9 April 2019, Mainmark staff bid a sad farewell to our company’s founder and chairman, Philip Mack. Philip originally established the Mainmark group back in 1983, building the business from the ground up. The name came from an Aboriginal word ‘manymak’, which translated to ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, a word that strongly resonated with Philip
The sinkhole phenomenon – what causes them and how are they remediated?
When it comes to ground issues, sinkholes can appear suddenly, often with dramatic and serious consequences. While the ground may seem to unexpectedly collapse, the reality is that sinkholes generally develop over a period of time until the ground above simply loses support and gives way, leaving a gaping hole. Understanding what causes sinkholes Sinkholes
The value of ground strengthening for redevelopments in seismic prone areas
The devastation caused by seismic events in New Zealand, including the significant 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence, has seen growing awareness about the interaction between building structures and soil during an earthquake. The challenge for home owners and developers undertaking earthquake strengthening works is to consider both ground strength and building behaviour so that
How extreme weather can affect your home’s foundations
Extreme weather events, natural disasters and extended dry spells have a significant impact on the ground and subsequently, on building foundations. Summer 2018/19 was the third-warmest ever recorded in Australia, and the hot weather pattern has continued, with January one of the hottest on record across both Australia and New Zealand. While many of us
