An Overview of Piling in Construction

What is Piling in Construction?

Piling in construction is one of the oldest methods used in construction. It is the method of installing structural piles into the ground that will become the base for the building. This type of method is used where there is poor soil and the condition of the ground is unstable or weak. This process enhances the stability and load-bearing capacity. It is one of the deep foundation methods where they are built with the help of long piles.

When to Use a Pile Foundation?

If you are looking for piling services in Essex, then a pile foundation is used when dealing with the following:

• When the soil is of poor quality and the ground is unstable. It is done to get the lower layer of the soil, which is better than the upper layer, which is weaker. This can enhance stability and support the structure of the building.
• The large buildings or skyscrapers have too much weight, and they need solid foundations which can support the heavy weight. This method can be used to enhance load-bearing capacity.
• In some cases, there is limited site access where the shallow foundation is not suitable. In situations like these, a pile foundation is the best choice to go for.
• In some situation the condition of the ground is uneven or sloppy which won’t provide with a stable foundation for the building. Pile foundation is used to provide an even structure for the building.

Type of Piling Work

The following are some of the types of piling used in construction based on the site access and different soil conditions:

Driven Piles

These piles are used where the condition of the soil is soft and requires additional support. In this method, the piles are pushed into the ground using the hammering technique. These piles come in different materials like concrete, steel or timber.

Screw Piles

These piles are suitable for a wide range of soil conditions. These are very cost-effective, and they are made up of steel shafts with blades. These blades are then twisted to the ground.

Bored Piles

These piles are also known as drilled piles. These piles are installed in the ground using the drilling method. After they are drilled into the ground, they are filled with concrete. This method is ideal for construction sites that require a deeper foundation.

Sheet Piling

This method is commonly used in basements, retaining walls, and waterfront structures. In this method, thin and interlocking steel sheets are driven into the ground to create a barrier.

Micro Piles

Micro or mini piles are used where there is very limited access to the site and the condition of the ground is weak. They are excellent at providing load-bearing capacity, and they are also used in underpinning to provide support to the existing structures.

Benefits of Piling

Piling brings a lot of benefits to the construction work. The following are some of those benefits:

• It ensures stability and strength. When a pile is properly installed, it provides with solid stable structure which can withstand earthquakes, floods and soil erosion.
• This method is suitable for all kind of soil conditions. This foundation transfers the weight to the deeper layers of the soil preventing issues like foundation settlement.
• This foundation can support heavy loads. This method supports the weight of the building evenly making it an ideal choice for construction of large buildings.
• This provides with a long-term durability. If the foundation is properly installed then it provides stability to the building reducing the need for repairs and maintenance.

What does a Piling Contractor Do?

A piling contractor follows several steps during the installation of a piling foundation. The following is the process of piling foundation:

• Site assessment is the first and basic step, where the condition of the ground is inspected to identify which piling method would be most suitable for the construction.
• The suitable piling method is selected based on ground condition, soil condition, load requirements and site access.
• After the method is selected, the selected piling method is installed by driving holes into the ground.
• After the installation is completed, the piles are tested to ensure they are installed properly and also provide the load-bearing capacity.

Conclusion

Piling foundation is very helpful in construction as it can be used in different kinds of ground conditions. If you are looking for a Mini Piling company in London, then Southern Foundations & Piling is an ideal choice for you. Their years of experience in this field make them the perfect choice to go for.