In weak soil conditions, piles are drilled into the land to improve the structural strength to act as a foundation. Some types of soil can carry heavy loads without too much difficulty. Other soil types, however, would fail if you were to try to construct on them without additional support. In this blog, the team at Borehole Solutions, who offer piling and other geotechnical services, discuss bored piles in more detail.
What are Bored Piles?
There are numerous different types of piling available, including sheet, driven, micro-piling and screw. Bored piles differ as they are cast in-situ, which means they are essentially made within the borehole itself. A borehole is installed by auguring into the ground, forming a hole into which concrete can be poured into. In comparison, driven and screw piling involves the piles simply being inserted into the ground.
They are also known as replacement piles due to the fact that the concrete replaces the removed soil as the borehole is drilled. However, these should not be confused with displacement piles, where the soil is displaced to the side. Bored piles are ideal for urban environments as they cause minimal vibration and disturbance. In addition, they can also be installed in relatively restricted conditions, especially if it is in conjunction with the use of specialist drilling rigs.
These piles can be installed using either percussion or rotary drilling, meaning they are an accessible and incredibly versatile option for construction projects. Depending on certain factors, such as the water table height, the borehole may require lining prior to pouring the concrete in. Another viable option is to use vinyl polymer, instead of concrete, where collapsible conditions might be experienced.
What is the Depth of Bored Piles?
The depth of a bored pile depends on the type of construction that is going to be carried out overhead. For the most challenging of soil conditions or the larger sized construction jobs, piles of up to 60 metres can be drilled. In terms of width, the typical range is from 300mm to 2800mm in diameter.
Are Bored Piles Costly?
Although they are a highly effective and reliable piling option, the on-site processes required means that bored piles tend to be amongst the more expensive piling methods. Despite this, you pay for quality – you will be provided with a foundation that is guaranteed to stand the test of time, even in the most strenuous situations.
Contact Us
If you would like to find out more about our piling or other geotechnical services, then please get in touch! Our team has over two decades of experience within the drilling industry and we guarantee to deliver bespoke services that will exceed your site investigation requirements. Contact Borehole Solutions today on 01733 200 501 or by emailing us at info@boreholesolutions.com.
