About Us

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

JRW Foundation-Systems was founded in 1976 by John R. Whittam, Sr. and has been doing business throughout California specializing in difficult limited access structural jobs.

After the Northridge Earthquake, JRW became involved in different types of underpinning projects and in 1996 we became a Certified Dealer/Installer of A.B. Chance Helical Pier Foundation Systems.  We have been fortunate to have worked on a number of projects in Southern California, to list a few:

• 1996 we underpinned the ‘Lake House’ designed by Paul Williams in Point Hamiltaire, Lake Arrowhead, CA.
• 1999-2000 Underpinned and leveled a residence in Hunting Beach that had settled 14.25”.  This job was featured as the Cover Story of California Building & Engineer, February 2000.
• 2002-3 Worked for Charles J. Pankow Jr. on his residence in Lake Arrowhead, Ca.  We held up a 2-story structure while removing the entire foundation built over a rock formation, excavating 13’ below the structure for a new lower level.  Extensive excavation, rock drilling and bracing were provided for the new foundation that was installed under the existing 2 story structure.  We provided all excavating, rock drilling, temporary bracing, concrete retaining walls, waterproofing and backfill.  We worked closely with Ralph Wagner Consulting.
• 2004-5 Worked for MATT Construction in the seismic retrofit of NORDSTROMS South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, CA.  Utilized an electric BROKK to install the 100+ Helical Pulldown Micropiles used in this retrofit.  Worked closely with Coffman Engineers, Kleinfelder (Geo) and Callison the Architect.
• 2006 Worked for PNG (Pacific National Group) in the seismic retrofit of NORDSTROMS Galleria, Riverside, CA.  Again, we used our electric BROKK to install the 100+ Helical Pulldown Micropiles used in this retrofit.  Worked with Coffman Engineers, MACTEC Geo and Callison the Architect.  We provided all the structural terminations for this job.
• 2007 Worked for MATT Construction in the seismic retrofit of NORDSTROMS Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA.  This seismic retrofit was challenging, as we had to install our Helical Pulldown Micropiles in footings filled with water.  JRW designed and fabricated the first two piece steel cased Helical Pulldown Micropile for this job.  Again we provided all the structural terminations for this job.  We worked again with Coffman Engineers, MACTEC and Callison.
• 2008 Worked for NEXUS/Skyline in the hold down of the lower slab of the below ground parking structure which adjoining two 27-story condominiums.  On this job we worked closely with Bob Vickars(the patent holder of the Helical Pulldown Micropile) who was hired as a consultant for this project.  In this instance we installed 126 Helical Pulldown Micropiles and their terminations to a depth up to 76’ with limited height clearance of 8’-2” in just over 3 weeks.  We worked closely with GPI Geotechnical and Glotman-Simpson Engineers out of Vancouver, BC.
• 2008 Worked for PATTERSON Construction in the seismic retrofit of the Downey Surgery Center in Downey, CA.  We installed 23 Helical Pulldown Micropiles and their terminations for the retrofit of a historical building in Downer, CA.
• 2008-9 Worked with TOWER General Contractors in the seismic retrofit of the LAX “Theme” Building(Paul William’s design) at LAX World Airport.  We worked closely with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Sasson Geosciences and Miyamoto Engnieering.  We provided all helical pile design, testing and installation for the screen wall at the “Theme” Building.
• 2008-9 Worked with MATT Construction in the seismic retrofit of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles utilizing fully cased and grouted CHANCE Helical Piers used as micropiles.  We were involved with the design and implementation of fully cased piles installed with electric equipment over existing footings in limited access space within the basement of the museum with capacities of 150,000 lbs..  We supplied all helical pile engineering and plans for the underpinning and worked closely with John A. Martin & Associates (JAMA) and MACTEC for geotechnical.

Many jobs require extensive testing and specialized installation equipment which we own and can transport throughout California.  Our testing equipment is up to 200,000 lbs. (200 Kips), electric and diesel helical pile installation equipment (torque up to 22,000 ft. lbs.), excavating equipment (up to 50,000 lbs.) and limited access drilling equipment capable of 3’x70’caissons.  Our specialty is underpinning/leveling existing structures utilizing Helical Piers, Helical Pulldown Micropiles, Cased Helical Pulldown Micropiles, Resistance Piers and Caissons in limited access areas under difficult circumstances.  Our office is fully staffed and we are very well versed at working with RFI’s, Submittals, Transmittals, Shop Drawings, Schedule of Values and Building Officials.  We are fully insured to $1,000,000 with $2,000,000 aggregate GL, have bonding in place for up to $1 million and qualify for excess liability coverage’s when required.

Our license classifications are as follows:

• A General Engineering; B General Contracting; C-21 Demolition, House Moving/Lifting/Leveling; C-61/D-30  Foundation Underpinning, Pile Driving, Pressure Grouting

We are the most experienced Foundation Underpinning Construction Company in Southern California and one of if not the oldest Certified A.B. CHANCE Installing Dealer in Southern California and we look forward to working with you.