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Engineered Piling for foundations with SPEEDECK

Understanding Piled Foundations and Their Role in Modern Construction

Piled foundations are an essential solution in construction. They support structures by transferring loads deeper to more competent layers of soil or rock. These foundations are instrumental when surface soils are weak, unstable, incapable of bearing the structure’s weight or projects looking for a more sustainable construction solution. Piled foundations often minimise construction risk while […]

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Piled foundations are an essential solution in construction. They support structures by transferring loads deeper to more competent layers of soil or rock. These foundations are instrumental when surface soils are weak, unstable, incapable of bearing the structure’s weight or projects looking for a more sustainable construction solution.

Piled foundations often minimise construction risk while reducing the amount of soil excavated and removed from the site.  Their versatility and reliability make them a cornerstone of modern engineering solutions.

When Are Piled Foundations Necessary?

Piled foundations are ideal in the following situations:

  • Weak Surface Soils: When the upper soils, such as clay or peat, lack the strength to support the structural loads.
  • Expansive or Unstable Soils: Piles are designed to cater for the heave forces generated and transfer them to deeper, more stable soils, limiting settlement and instability.
  • High Water Tables: Piles can be installed below water levels to prevent waterlogging and maintain structural integrity without the need for dewatering.
  • High Structural Loads: These are structures with heavy loads where shallow foundations would be inadequate to distribute the forces safely.

What is Piling?

Piling is a foundation technique used in construction to transfer structural loads to deeper, more stable soil or rock layers. It involves driving or drilling long, slender columns called piles into the ground. Piles can be made of concrete, steel, or timber and work through end-bearing friction or a combination of both.

Engineered Piling for foundations with SPEEDECK

How Piling Supports Construction

Piling strengthens weak or compressible soils by transferring structural loads to deeper, more stable strata, such as dense soil layers or bedrock. Geotechnical engineers conduct detailed site investigations, including soil profiling, load analysis, and environmental considerations, to design an appropriate piling solution. This engineered approach ensures optimal load distribution, minimises settlement, and enhances foundation durability and stability, meeting the specific demands of the structure and site conditions, thereby ensuring long-term safety and performance.

Why Piled Foundations Matter

Piling is an excellent solution for challenging and complex sites, particularly in urban environments like our recent project in Ilford, London, close to existing housing.

Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles were chosen as the ideal foundation due to their low noise and vibration levels, quick installation process, and load-bearing capacity. To address potential heave forces, all four rafts were designed explicitly with void formers, with an uplift forces transferred to the piles, ensuring the future structures are safeguarded against swelling soils. This tailored approach made CFA piles a perfect fit for the unique demands of the construction project.

Benefits of Piled Foundations

  • Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Piled foundations streamline materials and reduce the need for extensive excavation while de-risking a project.
  • Adaptability: They are suitable for diverse construction types, from residential to commercial projects.
  • Environmental Considerations: With proper planning, they minimise environmental impact and adapt to challenging sites.
  • Compliance: Piled foundations meet warranty approvals such as LABC, NHBC, etc, ensuring developers’ peace of mind.

SPEEDECKs Expertise in Piling

At SPEEDECK, we take the stress out of challenging projects by delivering tailored piling solutions that address your specific site concerns.

Our expertise ensures your project stays on track, whether it’s soft ground, high water tables, or other conditions which require foundations in excess of 1.8m deep. Through geotechnical analysis and customised foundation schemes, we eliminate uncertainty, optimise efficiency, and ensure you are not over-piling, with the goal of saving you time and money on each project.

With SPEEDECK, you gain a dependable foundation solution that resolves your worries and ensures your project’s success from the ground up.

Saving you time and money on your construction projects.