Mini piling helps in compact redevelopments
Mini piling can help in construction work on previously developed sites, which may be surrounded by other developments that make access an issue.
With compact mini piling rigs, tighter access routes can be made viable, while less room is needed on the site itself.
Suburban environments are one example of where properties can be constructed at relatively high densities, putting room at a premium for any future projects.
However, according to a report from Policy Exchange, almost one million people moved away from urban residential areas in the years from 2001 to 2008.
“There are more jobs and higher wages in cities and nearly two thirds of people would prefer to live in the suburbs of urban areas,” the report notes.
As more people move to the edges of cities, this in turn applies renewed pressure to the availability of suburban housing – particularly when developing greenfield sites is not an option due to planning constraints.
With mini piling, even compact plots can be developed to their fullest potential, minimising negative environmental impacts and delivering the maximum benefit to housing availability in the area.
Mini pile foundations perfect for green building
Mini pile foundations are the ideal option for construction where green and sustainable building standards must be met.
Analyst IBISWorld predicts that “revenue will soar” among the leading sustainable building specialists in the coming five years.
Regions with a higher concentration of residential properties are particularly expected to lead this resurgence in activity.
According to IBISWorld, a higher local population typically drives business activity higher, which in turn leads to demand for commercial and industrial properties in the area.
The forecast is based on performance in the US market, but might be expected to be repeated in the UK and elsewhere as growth returns to construction-related disciplines.
For companies keen to ride the green wave, mini pile foundations are one ideal option.
Mini pile foundations can be put in place with compact rigs, making them perfect for smaller projects such as those that might be available in an otherwise constrained market.
Their compact nature also makes them environmentally preferable, enhancing the sustainability of the structure from the moment its first foundations are put in place.
Foundation piling in cold weather
Foundation piling presents its own obstacles during the colder months, as the interaction between the foundations and the ground around them can change significantly – particularly during extended periods of sub-zero temperatures.
If using concrete piles, for instance, pre-cast piles delivered from off-site can help to avoid the issue of the water freezing in freshly poured concrete before it has chance to harden.
Meanwhile, foundation piling in permafrost ground allows the temperature itself to become a beneficial factor – the shear forces between the foundation piles and the frozen ground add to the strength of the structure.
It is therefore important to know from the outset what kind of foundation piling you need for a particular project – and how the changing weather conditions year-round might affect their strength.
We can supply pre-cast concrete piles or pour fresh concrete on-site, with underpinning an option where poor ground conditions complicate the installation of your foundations.
Similarly, we offer soil nailing to stabilise slopes and banks, which can help to ensure ground frozen in winter does not become unstable as the warmer weather arrives in the new year.