Choosing the best piles for your construction project requires some basic knowledge. Piling London is the UK’s largest piling firm, offering services for all kinds of projects, from new builds to extensions and renovations. Whether you need to install a steel pile, a timber pile or a pile with a special design, we’ve got the right product for the job.
End-bearing piles
Thousands of years ago, timber piles were driven into the ground to support buildings. This technique is still used today in many parts of the world. Coastal works and jetties are also carried out on timber piles.
Pile foundations differ according to the type of soil in which they are installed. Using piles allows load to be transferred from a structure to the surrounding soil without damaging the superstructure. Generally, piles are used in situations where adequate bearing capacity cannot be found at shallow depths. Pile foundations are also used in situations where a structure requires a foundation that is able to withstand impact loads during installation.
Driven pile foundations differ from cast in-situ piles in that they are not required to be cast into the ground and they are installed without the need for soil disposal. They are also useful for offsite manufacturing. However, they can be susceptible to damage during installation and are not a good choice in highly populated areas.
Pile foundations are important for many modern structures. They are also important for structures with poor soil supporting properties. However, most of the carrying capacity generated by end bearing piles is determined by the conditions of the soil, not the actual pile.
The axial capacity of a pile over time is a subject of active research. The SCARP (Static and cyclic axial response of piles) program was used to explore the relative effects of cyclic loading. The program also used the Poulos approach to assess the relative importance of the cyclic loading.
The SCARP analysis was only indicative and did not explore the entire foundation system. To do this, a second analysis was carried out using a computer program for pile group analysis. The results of this analysis were compared with the results of the FLAC analysis.
Friction piles
Thousands of years ago, river dwellers in Switzerland built structures on piled foundations to withstand flooding. Today, piles are used for coastal works, jetties, and for sea defence.
Several types of pile foundations are available, with different materials, methods of installation, and purposes. There are two main types. They are driven piles and friction piles.
Driven piles are a classic type of pile foundation. They are made of steel or timber, and can be box-section or tubular. They are usually reinforced to withstand driving stresses.
Friction piles transfer loads by friction between the pile and the soil. The load is transferred across the entire length of the pile. They are typically made of steel or wood, and are used in situations where the hard underlayers of soil are too deep.
The adhesion factor of a pile is determined by the pile’s geometry. It is usually assumed that a pile’s skin friction will never exceed 110kN/m2. The ratio of the adhesion developed on the shaft to the average undisturbed shear strength of clay is typically 0*45.
The Guidance Notes for the Design of Straight Shafted Bored Piles in London Clay (LDS) is a recent edition of a design document that is widely used by building control across 32 boroughs of London. The document contains guidance on recent changes in practice.
A few years ago, the Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) introduced a certification system for working platforms. It enables a pile to be evaluated for its T-Value. The T-Value is a measure of the ultimate shaft resistance at an interface depth, measured in kN/m2.
The T-Value can be determined by a series of tests that measure the load, axial displacement, and a number of other factors. The FPS reports that one third of pile failures involve a design mismatch.
Sheet piling
Several sheet piling contractors in London are involved in various projects. One company, Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd, specialises in temporary and permanent sheet pile work. The company has a wide range of experience in the installation of sheet piles for cofferdams, retaining walls and basements.
Sheet piles are normally driven into the ground to provide earth retention or excavation support. They are usually made of steel or timber. They are usually interlocking and can be used in a variety of applications. Some sheet piles can also be used to form cellular cofferdams. These walls may be filled with gravel or small rocks. They can also have internal bracing added to provide additional lateral support.
A project at Banbury Reservoir required the installation of temporary sheet piles. The installation was carried out on behalf of Thames Water. The works were undertaken over a five-week period in July. The piles were driven into the ground using a resonance free hydraulic vibratory hammer. The piles were back driven to the specified toe level with a HPH2400 hydraulic impact hammer. The piles were then faced with concrete.
Another project involved the installation of temporary sheet piles at St Martins-in-the-Fields church. The temporary sheet piles were installed from the crypt level parallel to the church wall. The basement box was then constructed using permanent reinforced concrete walls. The sheet piles were installed using a Kowan WP150 Still Worker pile press.
During the installation of sheet piles, the toes of the piles were cut with oblique faces. The toes of the piles were also inspected for cracks or other issues. The number of piles that were ‘under-driven’ will vary depending on the design.
Silent Piler ECO 700S
SILENT PILER(tm) is an innovative press-in piling machine, which reduces noise and vibration. It enables the construction industry to carry out work in restricted areas. It can also be used in locations with water or in the vicinity of an existing building. It is manufactured by IKEN.
The SILENT PILER(tm) has many features such as low noise, high compactness, and no vibration. It is particularly beneficial on environmentally sensitive sites. It also helps reduce construction costs.
The press-in method, pioneered by Akio Kitamura, allows piles to be installed silently, with minimal noise. This is achieved by utilizing an integral rock auger. The auger is contained in a casing and allows the pile press-in method to be carried out while the auger is progressing.
The ECO 700S is a specialized machine for the installation of sheet piles. The machine has a rabotaet on the sushe, a reaction stand and a power pack. It is designed for quiet operation and basement work.
This machine is able to install 700mm wide sheet piles. It also features a full hydraulic drive. It has the ability to operate at heights and can be equipped with a water jetting system. It also has a wireless radio control transmitter. It also has electronic recording of various data throughout the piling process. It is also able to export data to a PDF file.
The ECO 700S is available in Germany and neighboring countries. It is an ideal solution to the problem of noise on construction sites. It can also be used in areas with limited headroom. The machine is lightweight and can operate in granular soil and cohesive soil.
The ECO 700S is able to work nightly and can be used in a variety of construction sites. It has the capacity to install 155, 700mm wide sheet piles. It can also be equipped with a high-pressure pul system.
Mini-piling
Using mini piling in London is a versatile way to strengthen the foundations of new buildings, as well as to support existing structures. This method is especially suited to projects that require confined working areas.
Mini piling systems also allow for less concrete consumption, making them less costly to operate. They also reduce the disturbance to nearby structures and habitats.
Mini piles are also light in weight, enabling quick installation. They can be used in confined areas where it is difficult to move heavy equipment. They are also ideal for foundation work near trees. They can reach depths of up to 50 metres. They are also ideal for new basement installations under old houses.
Mini piling in London is usually carried out by contractors working for the local government. Mini piles can be used for a variety of applications, including new building foundations, retaining walls, and bridges. They also help counter subsidence.
They can also be used to support poor ground conditions. This is especially useful for areas that are built up and have poor soil.
Mini piles can be installed using rotary drilling, impact driving, and screwing machinery. Once a pile length has been calculated, steel reinforcement is installed. The pile bore is then filled with concrete and grout. This creates a steel-reinforced concrete column. Finished micropiles usually load tested according to ASTM D 1143 or ASTM D 3689.
Mini piles are also great for construction projects where limited access is an issue. They can also be used to support buildings that are situated in densely populated areas.
Mini piles are also ideal for foundation work in areas with poor ground conditions. They are also effective in countering subsidence, as well as supporting high tides.
