Madison Park Condominium Basement
Private Owners
Seattle, Washington

• This condominium project site is located on Lake Washington. Construction of the project's basement required 12- to 17-foot-deep excavations approximately 10 feet from the lake shore. The contractor encountered serious water intrusion problems. Typical means of water containment were not practical in this high-density, residential neighborhood.

• Frozen soil shoring was selected as the means to create a dry excavation during construction of the condominium basement.

• The freeze wall was extended through wet sands and into dense till. The wall completely cut off groundwater and eliminated the need for other dewatering systems.

• Ground freezing was selected over other methods because it creates fewer ground vibrations and noise, and can be readily installed close to water.