The Twin Peaks Cantilever Foundation
Building on Twin Peaks offers the best views in the city, but the geology is terrifying. Our client was planning a modern home on a 45-degree downslope. The structural engineer designed a complex system of grade beams and piers to pin the house to the bedrock. The problem was that the 2D foundation plans were incredibly difficult for the excavation crew to visualize. A single mistake in digging the pier locations would compromise the structural integrity of the home. The contractor demanded a 3D visualization of the subterranean structure to guide their drilling rigs.
Using the engineering CAD files, we modeled the subterranean geology and the concrete foundation structure in 3D. We created a transparent terrain mesh that showed exactly where the concrete piers needed to penetrate the bedrock. We color-coded the varying depths of the grade beams, providing a clear visual map for the excavation team. We even modeled the rebar cages for the most complex intersections to prove that the steel could actually fit within the concrete forms. This model was uploaded to the foreman iPad, serving as the daily reference guide for the drilling crew.
Client Name
The Structural Group
Client Type
Engineering Firm
Location
Twin Peaks, San Francisco
Project focus
Subterranean structural visualization
Color Palette
Concrete Grey, Rebar Green, Bedrock Brown
Services Provided
3D Modeling, Structural Detailing, Excavation Planning
Budget
$18,00
Duration
3 Weeks
Thoughtfully designed spaces for life
Strategic Design Interventions
We use intelligent 3D data to eliminate construction risk.
1
Subterranean Visibility
You cannot fix what you cannot see. By making the dirt transparent in our 3D model, we allowed the contractor to visualize the intersection of the new foundation with the existing sewer lines, preventing a catastrophic utility strike during excavation.
Rebar Congestion Check
Engineers often design rebar that is theoretically possible but physically impossible to tie. We modeled the steel reinforcement in 3D at the critical column-beam joints. We found a clash where the bars overlapped and redesigned the spacing digitally before the steel was ordered.
2
3
Excavation Volume Calculation
Hauling dirt away from a hillside is expensive. Our 3D terrain model calculated the exact cubic yardage of soil that needed to be removed. This allowed the client to negotiate a fixed-price contract for off-haul, preventing the trucking company from overcharging.
