Valley National Bank, located in the heart of downtown Tampa, planned a major building expansion to better serve customers and meet growing operational needs. The design called for a new elevator shaft, a structural element that would connect multiple floors and be relied upon daily by employees and clients.

Before construction could move forward, it was essential to ensure that the foundation soil beneath the elevator shaft could handle the significant load and vibration over the long term. In Florida—especially in Tampa Bay’s urban and coastal zones—unpredictable sandy soils can pose serious risks for structures without proper stabilization.

That’s why Valley National Bank turned to Helicon, Florida’s trusted name in foundation repair, soil stabilization, and polyurethane grouting. Our team specializes in tackling complex commercial projects, particularly in tight-access areas where precision work is critical.

After conducting a comprehensive site evaluation, Helicon determined that the ideal solution was polyurethane permeation grouting with AP600—a method designed to permeate sandy soils, bind particles together, and create a stable, high-load-bearing foundation for the new elevator shaft.

By acting early, before vertical construction began, we ensured the project would move forward on solid ground—literally—preventing potential settlement, operational issues, and costly repairs in the future.

This project came with two major technical hurdles:

1. Tight Access in a Downtown Environment

The elevator shaft was positioned inside an existing, older building in downtown Tampa. Narrow entryways, low overhead clearance, and the confined urban setting meant that traditional foundation repair equipment simply wouldn’t fit.

Helicon’s advantage is that our specialty polyurethane injection equipment is engineered for low-footprint, tight-access work. We routinely stabilize foundations in areas where heavy machinery isn’t an option—whether that’s under an existing building, inside a parking garage, or deep within a commercial structure.

2. Sandy, Unstable Florida Soils

Florida soils vary dramatically from site to site, and in this case, the subsurface was primarily loose, granular sand—a material prone to shifting under heavy loads. If left unaddressed, it could cause uneven settling of the elevator shaft, leading to operational problems and possible structural damage.

For a critical structural element like an elevator shaft, failure was not an option. Helicon’s soil stabilization experts needed to design a solution that would:

• Strengthen the sandy soils without adding excessive weight
• Provide uniform load distribution beneath the shaft footprint
• Be installed without major disruption to the surrounding property

Helicon selected AP600 one-part polyurethane permeation grout—a low-viscosity material specifically engineered for sandy soil stabilization in Florida.

Why AP600 Was the Best Choice

• Low viscosity allows deep penetration into loose soils
• Lightweight yet strong—ideal for supporting heavy structures without overburdening the ground
• Permanent stabilization by binding soil particles together, reducing settlement risk
• Resistant to water infiltration, making it a great fit for Florida’s wet climate

AP600 is widely used for projects requiring maximum load-bearing capacity—such as elevator shafts, bridge abutments, storm drains, and commercial foundations—making it the perfect choice for this bank expansion.

Precision Injection Plan

Helicon’s engineering team designed a grid pattern of 20 injection points beneath the elevator shaft footprint. Each injection was drilled to a depth of 6 feet, targeting the soil layers most at risk of movement.

The injections were performed with precision, ensuring complete coverage without gaps. The polyurethane grout permeated the sandy soils, locking them into a dense, load-bearing mass. This process:

• Eliminated voids and weak points
• Increased soil density and shear strength
• Provided even, uniform support across the entire elevator foundation

The Result

Valley National Bank now has an elevator foundation built to last. The AP600 injections provided a stable, permanent base capable of handling both the static weight of the shaft and the dynamic forces of daily elevator operation.

This solution was installed quickly, cleanly, and with minimal disruption, allowing construction to continue on schedule—an essential factor in commercial development projects.

Why This Project Matters for Florida Businesses

Whether it’s downtown Tampa, Orlando, or Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers to Naples), many commercial structures are built on soils that can shift, settle, or wash away over time.

Elevator shafts, heavy machinery pads, and structural columns all require precise, engineered soil stabilization before construction. Without it, property owners’ risk costly repairs, operational downtime, and safety hazards.

Helicon’s polyurethane grouting solutions are ideal for:

• Tight-access urban sites
• Sandy or loose soil conditions
• Projects where minimal disruption is critical
• Long-term commercial reliability

Learn More & See Our Work in Action

This Valley National Bank project is one example of how Helicon delivers engineering-grade soil stabilization solutions across Florida.

If you have a commercial, industrial, or municipal project that requires foundation stabilization, we can help.

• Learn more about our polyurethane grouting solutions
• See more commercial project highlights
• Request a site evaluation

Helicon is Florida’s family-owned leader in foundation repair and soil stabilization, serving Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Southwest Florida with unmatched expertise and service.