Little Rock Distribution Center
Little Rock, Arkansas
Project finishes ahead of schedule despite geotechnical challenges.
- Owner: Global Retailer
- General Contractor: Alston Construction
- Licensee: Peterson Contractors, Inc.
Client's Challenge
When Geopier® took on building a new, one million square foot distribution center for one of the world’s largest retailers, the project came with permitting delays that necessitated a change in the building’s footprint and design. In addition, there were several geotechnical issues:
- Liquefaction risk: The site faced seismic-induced settlement risks due to its location near the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
- Excessive settlement: The design, which called for 4-15 feet of new fill, raised concerns about differential and total settlement.
- Building loads: A solution was needed to remediate the inability of native soils to support the heavy loads introduced by the immense footprint.
Geopier Solution
The Geopier® Impact® system—a displacement-style rammed aggregate pier method that provides excellent settlement control and higher bearing capacities for sites with loose sands, silts, and soft clays—was used to stabilize the ground.
The Impact system offers:
- Remediation for caving soils
- Rapid installation (for shorter lead times)
- 20-50% savings over deep foundations and over-excavation
- No spoils or haul-off costs
