Get the job done with Concrete Piling
Safety and precision are the main key concerns when construction work is being carried out. It is important to seek the help and advice of an expert to make sure that everything has been carried out correctly, particularly when the work is foundation piling. One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether or not you require concrete piling. It is advisable to obtain advice from an architect.
If the building does require concrete piling then you will need to get in touch with a piling company who are experts in all matters relating to foundation piling. Make sure that you do thorough research before choosing a piling company as concrete piling is essential to creating stable foundations for your building. It is also important that you choose the most suitable type of concrete piling for your building as there are many different ones available.
Most concrete piles are drilled into the foundation of the structure in order to give extra support. When choosing a piling company, find out what equipment they use. The company that you decide on should be able to get access to a hydraulic top pile driver as this is the most effective way to install concrete piles. MK Piling use the best concrete piling equipment available we are so confident in our service that all concrete piling projects are backed with a 10 year guarantee.
Grundomat Driven Piles: The Ideal Piling Solution
Grundomat driven piles are designed to support and withstand force and pressure. Grundomat driven piles are installed using a pile driving hammer or a similar type of machinery. Grundomat driven piles are a popular choice of pile as they are cost effective, very accurate and can resist any level of weight or force that they are subjected to.
Not only are Grundomat driven piles extremely durable, they are also very flexible. There are a wide range of different sizes of hammer available to carry out the installation process and this means that Grundomat driven piles can be implemented in exceedingly small, tight spaces. This allows engineers to install Grundomat driven piles which are of a high standard, without using expensive installation techniques. Grundomat driven piles make working on sites with restricted access much easier and the process only requires a team of two to complete.
Grundomat driven piles also offer low vibrations rates. Low levels of vibrations mean that there is much less displacement and piles can be implemented with more precision. Grundomat driven piles are very quiet compared to other methods of piling so they are ideal for use on projects that take place in residential areas.
Retaining Walls and Soil Foundations
When constructing a new building, it is not possible to just simply start building on a plot of land. There is a lot of foundation preparation which needs to be carried out in the initial stages of a construction project. One of most important factor when carrying out foundation or retaining wall work is to ascertain what type of soil you are building on.
Soil is essentially the geological erosion or rocks and is made up of solid particles and then voids. These voids – or spaces – can be filled with water or air or a combination of the two. In the UK, most soils do not contain any air once they are one metre below the surface. This is known as saturated soil.
There are many types of soil but for building purposes soil is generally split into two categories; sandy silt and boulder clay. Soils which are made up of 25% clay particles have different properties to coarser soils and it sticks together. This type of soil also swells and contracts depending on the water content. The process of water being squeezed out of this soil is known as consolidation and is one of the main causes of building settlement. Buildings can still be going through the settlement process decades after being built.
Different soil foundations require different methods of stabilisation which is why it is important for contractors to carry out thorough site investigations and decide whether a retaining wall or other foundation works are appropriate.
The Underpinning Factor
If the foundation work of a building or structure has not been carried out properly, or it is an old building and time has taken its toll, then it is important to strengthen and stabilise a building to ensure that it is safe. This process is known as underpinning.
Underpinning is usually a one-stop solution for any sort of foundation issues. Underpinning is a sure-fire way to correct any problems with a building’s foundations. Underpinning may be required if the use of a building changes. For example, if a building which used to be a house is then turned into a shop, underpinning will allow that building to be able to withstand more pressure.
Over time, ground and soil conditions can change. If there has been any movement of the soil beneath or around a building, possibly through subsidence, then underpinning will help to strengthen the foundations of it. When a new building is erected near to existing buildings, underpinning may be required to strengthen the surrounding properties.
Underpinning can be a much cheaper alternative with increasing land prices. This could mean that underpinning would be more logical to make improvements to an existing property rather than paying large amounts of money for more land.
About Foundation Piling
Before commencing any foundation piling work it is necessary to carry out a thorough site investigation so that all potential risk factors can be dealt with. There are several different factors which need to be taken into consideration when carrying out a site investigation and these will determine whether or not foundation piling is a suitable method to be used.
Foundation piling is an ideal option to be used on sites where ground conditions are poor. Piling is used more and more as quality construction sites are available less and less. A pile consists of a rectangular slab of concrete which contains reinforced steel bars for extra strength. Piles differ in size, depending on the type of structure they will be supporting.
The piles are driven into the ground as far as they will go and then the tops are cut off. Enough steel is exposed so that the pile can be tied to the beams. A mud-mat or layer of concrete is then laid over the piles. Around the perimeter of the site, a retaining wall needs to be built which creates a trench into which the foundations will be poured.
When this section of the work has been completed, reinforced steel is put into the site and tied in place, forming a steel cage. The concrete foundations can then be poured in to complete the process. Once the foundation concrete has dried it is ready for building the structure. This is successful foundation piling!
Standing Strong with a Retaining Wall
The implementation of a retaining wall will give the required support for a building when it is being constructed on sloping or uneven ground. A well designed retaining wall will also provide a drainage system so that water runs away from the structure and reduce hydrostatic pressure. Pairing a retaining wall with the procedure of soil nailing will reinforce the retaining wall further. Soil nailing is undertaken by drilling steel tendons into the soil and grouting them.
It is essential to undergo extensive planning when designing a retaining wall as all construction projects differ. The retaining wall needs to be substantial enough to suit the ground that it is being installed in. If the retaining wall is not designed or installed correctly then the result will be that the wall will eventually collapse. The level of pressure should be at its lowest at the top of the wall and gradually increase towards the base.
There are several different materials which retaining walls can be constructed with including stones, concrete blocks, wooden planks and logs. There are several factors which need consideration when designing a retaining wall such as its height, soil type, the angle of the slope and whether any heavy weight is going to be located near to the slope i.e. structures and/or vehicles.
Driven Piles for the Modern Age
Screw piles are the traditional method of foundation piling. However, as the construction industry and piling equipment has progressed, driven piles are now a popular alternative to screw piles. Driven piles are the ideal option for construction sites which have limited access or where the ground is particularly hard. Driven piles are a safe and cost-effective solution; they are quick and easy to install.
The method of installing driven piles is carried out using hydraulic hammers. The hydraulic hammers work by using an accelerated drop weight, along with side-mounted vibro hammers. Driven piles are available in different sizes, ranging from 457mm to 610mm. The size of the driven piles is dependent upon the size and weight of the structure, as the piles are required to support the building at the foundations.
Traditional piling methods are still widely used for tasks such as underpinning, low-displacement piling and vibration-free piling. Driven piles, however, benefit from being light-weight, require less site preparation, have high-productivity levels, are cost-effective and can be used for a wide range of ground conditions.
Finding Stability with Ground Anchors
Ground anchors provide buildings and other large structures with permanent stability. Ground anchors are installed into the soil foundations of a structure, usually via a grout body. There are numerous sorts of ground anchors available. The type of ground anchor used for each construction projects depends on certain factors, including soil quality, the surrounding environment, failure risk and construction requirements.
At MK Piling, we are experts in all matters relating to foundation piling. We only used the best and most technologically advanced piling equipment. For ground anchors, it is no different. The key aim of installing effective ground anchors into the foundations of a structure is to ensure its safety and durability, whether the ground anchors are being applied to a temporary or permanent structure.
Ground anchors are a reliable and cost-effective way of providing stability to a structure. They are a versatile option to choose as they can be used on stone and masonry structures, as well as slopes and embankments. At MK Piling, our piling experts can offer advice and answer any questions that you may have regarding ground anchors and any other type of foundation piling.
Foundation Piling Experience is Essential
There numerous different methods of foundation piling and these can be used for a multitude of different applications and structures. In order for a building to be safe and secure, appropriate foundation piles need to be implemented. Think about a tree. When we see a tree, all that is visible to us is the trunk, the branches and leaves; however, deep into the ground, runs a complex system of roots which anchor the tree in place and prevent it from sliding or toppling. Buildings and other large structures work in much the same way; the roots are replaced with foundation piling.
It is crucial to the safety of a large structure that foundation piling is carried out only by a qualified piling contractor. The same applies if the piling foundations of an existing building are in need of repair. A qualified piling contractor has an in depth understanding of different pile types, piling methods and which are suitable for each project. It is more important to find a quality piling contractor rather than a cheap one. In the long-run, you will save money by spending more on foundation piling services as there will be less chance of having to pay out money on repairs after experiencing shoddy workmanship.
Advantages of Top Driven Piles
Different piles are more suitable for some jobs than others. By weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each pile type, contractors can decide which piling types are the most suitable for their project.
Top driven piles have a long list of advantages to consider when deciding on what piles to use. Capacities can be calculated to ensure that reduced the risk of problems occurring from ground conditions. Hammer force can be adjusted endlessly without affecting the accuracy and consistency of the hammer energy. Unexpected capacity reductions by hammer energy losses are not a problem when the hammer hits any deflected piles.
Unlike bored piles, top driven piles are cured before they are delivered to the site and can be CASE tested to double their Safe Working Load (SWL) rather than having to wait until the concrete has been cured. Simulated static tests (CAPWAP) can be carried out on the system and rig. Driving resistance can be monitored continuously via a computer.
Top driven piles are not affected by any water leakages from the ground and the square-ended design means that obstructions are easily dealt with. Finally, top driven piles are manufactured in a very controlled environment which means that they completely eliminate the risk of inclusions or cavities in the concrete.