Plate Jacks are inserted between foundation elements and extended with epoxy or cementitious grout to correct settlement. Jacks are stacked as necessary to correct settlements exceeding 1”.

When new footings are required, Plate Jacks are inserted above the new footings, and extended to take up the elastic deflection of the structure resulting from the new load path, and to accommodate elastic and inelastic soil deformation. Where time dependent soil consolidation is anticipated, jacks are initially extended and then adjusted as consolidation progresses using non-hardening fluid, then solidified by transfusion with epoxy when consolidation stabilizes.

When constructing structures founded in soils having variable compressibility within the footprint of the structure, differential settlement of the various footings may occur as the weight of the structure increases during construction. Plate Jacks, extended with non-hardening fluid to correct differential settlement as load increases, then solidified after stabilization by transfusion with epoxy, solve this problem.

To insert a seismic isolator into an existing column, it is necessary to unload the segment of the column which will receive the isolator using temporary shoring jacks, cut the column and insert the isolation device. If the temporary shoring jacks were then unloaded to transfer load back into the column, the column length would shorten by the amount of deflection in the isolation device, plus the elastic shortening in the previously unloaded section of the column, possibly causing undesirable load transfer to adjacent columns, and distress to architectural detailing in floors above. This can be prevented by extending, with epoxy, or cementitious grout, a Plate Jack placed in line with the isolation device to essentially “steal” the load away from the temporary shoring—absorbing the elastic deflection of the column and isolator without deflecting the structure above.

The Utah State Capitol project utilizes 295 Plate Jacks to transfer the building’s weight to seismic isolators and sliding bearings.

Plate Jacks are used to optimize reactions at supports of redundant structures or structural elements, by floating the structure on Plate Jacks placed at each reaction, extending or retracting each jack as necessary to achieve the desired reactions, then solidifying the jacks by transfusing with epoxy.

Plate Jacks used to pre-load shoring, or soil or rock anchors (tie-backs) are extended with epoxy or cementitious grout to permanently lock in load, or, extended with a non-hardening fluid to exert variable load. An accumulator placed in the hydraulic circuit with Plate Jacks can be utilized to provide constant load on shoring or anchors in an expansive or consolidating soil deposit. 

Approximately 400 Plate Jacks are used as temporary shoring jacks on this project. These jacks will be re-formed and re-used multiple times during the life of the project. 

Plate Jacks, designed as pressure indicators, are equipped with bonded bearing plates and digital or analog pressure gauges or transducers. These units undergo pre-expansion, sealing, and calibration against NIST reference instruments, ensuring highly accurate and robust service in diverse field applications, such as underwater use or embedded structures. 

Plate Jacks are outfitted with a transducer or gauge and bonded bearing plates, expanded to a set extension, sealed, and calibrated against a load cell bearing NIST traceability. 

Plate Jacks, particularly in the smaller sizes, are useful tool box items in lifting, lowering, or leveling heavy equipment and machinery, refinery vessels, and similar items. 

Plate Jacks are used to transfer loads between structural elements, preventing undesirable deflection or distress to architectural details during renovations of existing buildings. For instance, as illustrated in the provided image, Plate Jacks are employed to transfer loads from existing columns to an adjacent structure, enabling the removal of the columns. 

Four Plate Jacks — Used to transfer load from two columns to the steel girder permitting the removal of columns, and the floor below. 

Approximately 700 Plate Jacks are used in temporary and permanent installations in the Utah State Capitol renovation.