The Midwestern floods of 1993 affected communities along the major rivers in ways uncaptured by much of the news media. In addition to surface water flooding, rising and falling ground water levels caused foundations to settle, floor slabs to heave and underground pipelines to shift. Many homes and businesses were affected.

At the Venice Technical School in Venice, Illinois, the increase in ground water level caused basement floor slabs to heave and buckle, as well as differential settlement of foundation walls. After consulting with various engineering firms and general contractors, FASTEEL® was hired to implement an underpinning system to not only support the distressed foundations, but to lift it back to near pre-flood elevations. After analyzing soil data and with aid from the FASTEEL® engineer and installing two test piers, consulting engineers went to work designing the system. The design was agreed upon and approved by the owner. FASTEEL® crews then worked two shifts, installing 66 1¾" helical piers to depths ranging from 30 to 38 feet below the foundation. Close coordination was required between FASTEEL® and the general contractor due to time limitations and dewatering requirements.

The building was lifted within two weeks of the opening of classes and fall classes started on schedule.