Underground Garage Construction | Full Construction Process Explained

Underground garage construction is more common because land values ​​are rising and communities are promoting mixed-use, including a garage in the main development – office, retail, hotel, and apartment. The underground garage also allows a city or developer to fully use existing street facades for retail and commercial use.

Although an underground garage is more expensive, it offers many long-term benefits, such as maintaining a prime property for future use, convenient parking in the center, and removing the garage from the street front. 

Underground Garage Construction

Building underground garages is an ideal way to better use public real estate in a city, support private development, and get a public property back on tax returns. Although the cost of building an underground garage is high, potential economic benefits must take into account when evaluating this type of project. 

In 2019, the median construction cost for a new parking structure was $21,500 per space and $64.77 per square foot, increasing 5.1% over 2018. Moreover, removing the garage from the street will greatly improve the pedestrian experience. In addition, the relocation of the underground garage helps to maximize the available private development area, which can bring significant financial benefits to local governments.

For example, a typical three-level garage built for 450 cars would require approximately 50,000 square feet or 150,000 square feet of space. If this space were used for above-standard commercial purposes, the economic impact could be significant; job creation, retail, and annual tax revenue. Downtown Miami Tower Reaches 100% Sold, Begins Vertical Construction Microsoft In Advanced Negotiations.

An underground garage build under a building, a park or plaza, or simply providing additional parking for an aboveground garage when weight reduction is important. When planning an underground garage, it’s critical to understand the fundamental design and construction concerns.

Reflections on Networking and Design

Local conditions have a significant impact on design and construction. For example, an underground garage built in the cramped urban environment is often built on the zero line, which requires temporary and permanent conservation of the Earth. Temporary soil retention stabilizes the perimeter of the site during excavation and soil construction and, in some cases, can reduce the site’s drainage requirements.

The permanent protection of the Earth can be integrated into the structural system of the building, or it is independent of the building. Where site conditions permit, independent systems can provide natural light and ventilation to the structure. This greater openness increases user comfort and lowers operating costs associated with lighting and ventilation.

Integration of parks, reptiles, or garage buildings

An underground garage can reduce the overall height of garage equipment or take advantage of the terrain. On the other hand, an underground garage typically erecte beneath a plaza or park on the street level or integrate into a multi-story commercial, residential, or institutional structure.

The fundamental purpose should be to maximize parking space, provide a beautiful ambience, and supply cost-effective equipment while balancing initial building costs, long-term maintenance / operating expenses, and user comfort in all scenarios. Therefore, 1-1/2 CFM per square foot capacity and 100% exhaust air coordinate with the supply air system recommends.

Structural systems

The choice of a building system for traditional super-standard garage construction is generally based on construction cost, durability and future maintenance costs, user comfort, owner preference, and construction schedule. Of course, these solutions are equally important for underground structures. Still, the structure of an underground garage often has to withstand side loads from the ground, loads from adjacent buildings/sidewalks, and loads from a park, plaza. 

Once the three vertical columns complete in the underground basement, ground-level vertical construction will then commence, estimate to take place in late 2021. 

When evaluating structural systems, the objectives of the proposal should include:

• Balancing initial costs with long-term savings
• Use of durable systems consistent with the owner’s long-term plans.
• User comfort and personal safety
• Integration of structural system with safety (line of sight)
• Details to reduce the reduction in volume change often associated with early damage to garage structures.

Construction Cost for Underground Garage

Underground garage Construction costs vary depending on the region of the country, architectural elements, structural system, and considerations of user comfort, longevity/durability, site conditions and economic climate. However, for underground garages, additional costs can be expected to solve the following problems:

• Conservation of the Earth
• Drainage
• Side load on the ground and surcharge for an adjacent building or road
• Placement of buildings, roads, squares footage/ parks supported by a garage structure.
• User amenities such as glass lifts and stairs, increased lighting, natural lighting and open framing.
• Mechanical ventilation
• Fire protection systems
• Storm and sewer systems.
• Reduced garage efficiency for alternative over-standard use cases.

Durability and long-term costs

The most significant investments are the building system and its durability, which affects the cost of maintenance, determines the garage structure’s life and affects the garage’s cost over the next 50-60 years.

The design of a parking space in a garage should strike a balance between upfront costs and lifecycle costs. 

The most advanced structural elements use for a high-quality and durable concrete structure – high-strength concrete, concrete with a low water-cement ratio, corrosion inhibitors, coated reinforcing steel and protected prestressing systems.

Other design features such as positive drainage, quality joint sealants, penetrating sealants, adequate reinforcement steel coverage, and a rigorous maintenance program is also important to the long-term life of the structure.

The structural pressures of persistent concrete shrinkage and volumetric heat changes are particularly damaging to underground garage constructions. Ignoring the structure stiffness characteristics can result in cracking and early damage. In addition, the forces created by the restraining mechanisms can cause the load-bearing column to be destroyed in extreme conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are underground garages expensive?

Underground garages are generally more expensive than road-built ones due to the cost of excavation and construction of underground garages. The average cost of a space in an underground parking garage ranges from $ 25,000 to $ 50,000, depending on the facility’s specific conditions. 

How much does it cost to build an underground garage in the UK?

A basic expansion of a single garage attached to your existing building will typically cost around £ 1,300. It is in materials and £ 3,500 in labour costs. On the other hand, a comparable free-standing garage would cost £ 1,500 in materials and £ 3,000 in labour. (GC, Overhead, Profit) 25% $14.47 $1,447,300 Architectural Fees 7% $5.07 $506,500

How much does it cost to build a garage from scratch?

The average cost of building a garage is $ 35 to $ 60 per square meter. A single-car garage costs $7,500 to $14,200, a two-car garage costs $ 19,600 to $ 28,200, and a three-car garage costs $ 28,200 to $ 42,700.

Can a garage be underground?

One of the biggest benefits of a garage basement floor is that it doesn’t fit into the total area of your home underground. 

This area might be considered a home in and of itself, depending. It is how you chose to furnish this type of garage. The typical structural floor construction is a 4000 PSI 6″ concrete slab with welded wire fabric designed. Its for a live load of 80 LBS/SF and a ramp slope of no more than 5.5%.

How much does it cost to dig a garage?

The average cost of constructing a garage in the United States is $24,000. The cost of a garage depends on its cladding material, foundations, and finishes. Such as the style of electricity and garage doors. A single-car standalone garage costs roughly $7,250, while a connected three-loft garage can cost up to $50,000.

Are underground garages safe?

Rule number one is always inverted. Go to the lowest level of the building, for example, the second. If you live in a complex with an underground garage, seek refuge there. If you are caught in a tornado on the top floor. It is best to be in a room with no windows.

Is it expensive to build an underground garage?

An underground parking garage is more expensive than a full-fledged one. Underground garages are generally more expensive than road-built ones due to the cost of excavation and construction of underground garages. For this reason, underground garages often do not exceed two levels below the level.

Conclusion

Building an underground garage can be costly, but the benefits often justify the increased costs. It is preserving valuable properties for wider use. It is providing garages in the center, creating city parks/plazas, and removing garages from street facades.