Kirby House at Lafayette College is a three-story masonry and brick residential dormitory that also contains a student lounge and a small café. For unknown reasons, the building had settled and large cracks formed on the interior and exterior walls. The College wanted to determine what caused these cracks and ensure that the building would be safe for students who would return in the fall.

RETTEW’s geotechnical team, along with the structural engineers for the College, identified a large sinkhole developing at a depth of more than 60 feet under the building’s foundation. RETTEW recommended compaction grouting as the most cost-effective solution and assisted the College in selecting a contractor to perform the work. We completed all tasks three weeks ahead of schedule, which enabled Lafayette College to reopen the dormitory and café sooner than expected, and provided a safer building for students and visitors.