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Understanding the different types of equipment that are used in piling construction can be of real benefit to builders, planners, and many other construction professionals. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as you might imagine learning more about the equipment used in piling construction, as the most important information has been organized in this one informative guide so that you needn’t look any further for the facts and figures that you need. Read on to learn more.
Building foundations are often too weak to support a superstructure load without any additional assistance, whether this means soil reinforcement techniques, a reduction of the intensity of the acting on the foundations of a building, or methods used to transmit the structural loads to deeper strata. However, out of all these forms of additional support, piling is certainly the most efficient option that you can choose to explore.
Piling construction uses column-like structures to transfer the load of the building to the deep strata below. Piling is seen as an extremely effective construction technique due to the fact that it can provide the essential support needed for larger structures of any shape or style, including in the construction of bridges, buildings, and any other project where the soil present on site does not have the capacity to support the weight of the structure at shallow depth. Piling construction is no doubt a very helpful construction support type for those who are setting deep foundations, too.
It has to be said that it is essential to pick the right equipment (and team) to take on the task of piling construction at your site. Piling works by entering the ground until it hits bedrock, as this is the point at which the pile will be able to safely support the structure’s weight above the ground. In order for the pile to drive productively, it’s vital that you can source several attachments which can be added to your system to suit your unique design and project architecture needs, and surpass your expectations.
There are multiple contributing factors that you need to take into consideration before using a piling construction. The primary purpose of piling construction is to promote safety and strength in the ground before you start to build anything above ground. Below are some of the most common situations when piling construction is the right choice:
● If the groundwater table is particularly high
● If a heavy load (superstructure) requires additional support
● For projects with a limited budget
● If the soil is at shallow depth is compressible
● If there’s a chance of scouring due to a location near a river bed or beside the sea
● If there is a canal system close to the structure
● If soil excavation is not feasible to the desired depth due to poor soil condition
● If it is impossible to maintain dry foundation trenches through pumping or another method
There is a particularly large volume of equipment used in the process of piling construction, from the main bulky machine devices to smaller parts and add-ons, too. Understanding the equipment used in piling construction will no doubt be of benefit when you are attempting to fulfil every step of your construction project to the highest possible standard, as this way you can make the most informed decision with regard to the equipment and devices that you will need to complete your piling construction efforts in the best way.
Here are some of the most common pieces of equipment used in piling construction, explained in detail so that you can better understand the ins and outs of piling construction!
A piling rig is an effective piece of piling construction equipment that comes equipped with a hydraulic hammer. As the system is specially designed to cope with the extreme rebound of the multi-ton drop weight, piling rigs can be used in places where the site itself requires significant impact force to get the job done. Although the controls of a piling rig are similar to those of an excavator with joystick controls, the use of a bigger counterweight (which has to be heavier than the hammer weight) provides a piling rig with the ability to install multiple pilings in a 360-degree arc around the machine at a high inclination. This form of equipment can also be used hand in hand with augers when you need to pre-drill any holes required for the piles.
Mini piling rigs are used for sites that have limited space and little headroom, where deep foundations are impractical. Mini piling rigs are best for sites that are experiencing issues with chalk or clay. When you use mini piling rigs, a borehole needs to be formed and remain open throughout. Mini piling can be used for the installation of foundations for new-build housing, extension or underpinning of existing structures, offices or industrial units for mezzanine floors, basement construction, retaining walls and so much more, as there are a number of sites that would only accommodate mini piling rigs and nothing more.
Piles are driven until the ground using a hammer, and a drop hammer works by being lifted up by rope so it can then be dropped freely on the pile head. During the driving operation, a cap is fixed to the top of the pile and a cushion is provided in between the pile and the cap, as this helps to minimise the risk of unwanted damage. Drop hammer piling rigs are generally used when only a small number of piles need to be driven, as it’s a process that can be quite slow and inefficient for large projects that require faster piling on a grander scale.
Grundomat piling is a system that drives piles through the use of compressed air. This compressed air is supplied from outside the piling area and only a small amount of vibration is generated during grundomat piling, so it’s a great technique for use in underground environments and sites that have restricted access. A Grundomat dull tool is the main feature, which is a cylindrical air-hammer that is driven through the ground, with its bores (ranging up to 200 mm) being used to lay cables and pipes under roadways and a number of other similar surface installations. Grundomats work in all displaceable soils including sand, loam, gravel, and even soils containing fracturable rocks. It’s important to note that it doesn’t work well against solid stones or unbreakable rocks, and soft or swampy soils may lead to issues with accuracy due to the tool's weight influencing deviation.
Auger cast piles are often referred to by a number of different names, including augers, auger cast-in-place piles, augered piles, continuous flight auger piles and more. Augers are constructed by drilling a continuous flight, hollow shaft auger into the ground to a specified depth that suits your individual project needs. Then, a high-strength grout is injected into the hollow shaft when the auger is removed. Auger cast piles offer benefits for deep foundations, including limited cost, installation time, vibration and noise. Augers work well in sandy, silty soils with low cohesiveness and are designed for sands and clays. They’re regularly utilised for car parks and office buildings, being a worthwhile alternative to driven piles.
Pile cages are used to provide strength for mostly vertical concrete columns, predominantly when the soil is of poor quality or when deep foundations have been advised by engineers. Column sizes and designs vary with each individual application, and they may even require numerous different assembly techniques to make sure the concrete reinforced columns are made to the highest standard with the exact specifications. These cages are generally made out of steel due to the fact that it is an extra strong hard-wearing material that can be relied upon.
Post-hole digger earth augers are suitable for piling on frozen soil and icy site types, and they are widely used to plant trees on a commercial scale, for geophysical exploration, for road construction and more. The drill is made from synthetic manganese steel, making it harder so that it can work effectively on compact soil, clay, frozen soil, and other similar conditions.
It’s clear to see that there are countless different tools and pieces of equipment used in piling construction. The sheer volume of devices and tools that can be used in piling construction is immense, but this allows for immense adaptability to suit a wide variety of different project and site types.
Piling construction is no doubt a great choice for a number of construction styles, so there’s no time like the present to reach out to our expert piling construction team at Capital Piling. We are ready and waiting to take your call, so get in touch today to discover more about our top-quality services.
At Capital Piling, Our professional teams are highly experienced in installing high-quality foundations on a vast range of projects. Whether you require foundations to extend your growing home or looking for a strong team for that major commercial project, we can help. Get in touch today.