What is Mini Piling?
Mini piling is a set of construction techniques used to install or construct mini piles into the ground. This technique is used when traditional piling is not feasible for some reason, such as:
- Restricted access
- Local regulations
- Urban construction
- Noise and vibration limits
Even though mini piling Chelmsford is carried out on a much smaller scale as compared to traditional piling, its process is almost the same. The only difference is the diameter of mini piles ranges from 100mm to 400mm.
Advantages of Mini Piling
Mini piling comes with numerous advantages, some of which are as follows:
- Mini-piling uses smaller equipment and piling rigs, which are more manoeuvrable in urban environments and confined spaces.
- Mini piling process is relatively quicker and simpler as compared to that of traditional structural piling techniques.
- Its smaller equipment creates less noise and vibrations and reduces disturbance to the surrounding structures.
- It is a suitable method for areas with limited or restricted access, such as remote locations, narrow streets or dense urban environments.
The Process of Mini Piling
Construction of mini piles may demand different procedures, depending on the chosen technique and the site conditions. However, the following are some general steps that are carried out during a mini-piling process:
- Site survey: Engineers and surveyors carry out a detailed site survey, including a Geotech investigation, to understand the conditions and precise project requirements.
- Load calculations: Based on their deductions and survey results, engineers carry out detailed load calculations to define the required bearing capacity for the piles.
- Design: In the next step, they create a precise and thorough design for the mini piles based on the load calculations and soil conditions of the site.
- Drilling of boreholes: Once the design is finalised, the boreholes are drilled up to the predetermined dimensions, i.e. diameter and length.
- Stabilising the borehole: Engineers use grout or drilling fluid on the sides of the borehole to ensure they stay stable and do not collapse.
- Reinforcement: Reinforcement bars are made of steel. They are inserted into the borehole to provide tensile strength to the pile against lateral forces.
- Grouting: Once the reinforcement bars are in place, the borehole is filled with grout to create a strong and stable bond between the pile and the surrounding soil.
- Curing: After the piles are set, they are cured continuously for 4 weeks to ensure they achieve their maximum design strength.
- Testing: Once the curing is complete, the piles are tested for their stability to ensure they are ready to take on the loads of the building.
Applications of Mini Piling
Mini piling in Essex has various applications across different settings. Some of them are as follows:
- Tiebacks and Anchors
- Temporary Foundations
- Foundation Support
- Historic Restoration
- Retaining Walls and Slopes
- Off-shore and Waterfront Structures
- Urban Construction
- Foundation Remediation
Different Techniques of Mini Piling
Mini piling can be carried out using multiple techniques depending on the situation and the requirements of the project. These techniques include the following:
- Hollow stem piling
- Continuous flight auger (CFA) piling
- Steel cased driven (SCD) piling
- Bored piling
- Single flight auger (SFA) piling
Things to Look for In a Mini Piling Contractor
- Make sure you select an experienced contractor with successful mini piling projects in the past.
- Ask them about the certifications and qualification of their companies and engineers.
- Check the testimonials of their past clients and read reviews to know about their reputation.
- Look for their previous work to understand their experience, capabilities and reliability.
- Make sure the contractor you select has the latest and well-maintained piling equipment and rigs.
- Inquire them about the safety equipment and protocols that they follow during the procedure.
- Evaluate the project management skills of the contractor through the reviews of their past clients.
- Acquire multiple cost quotes from different contractors to compare their offers against your project.
- Make sure that the contractor you select has liability insurance to protect you financially.
- Do not forget to read the terms of the contract carefully including all the aspects to avoid conflict.