Only the Best Piling Equipment Will Do
Piling is a critical part of the construction process which is why it is crucial that good quality piling equipment is used in order to get the job done safely and efficiently. There are many different types of piling equipment available so they type of piling required needs to be defined before the piling equipment is decided upon. Another factor when determining what piling equipment to use is what material the piles are made from. Most piles are made from wood, steel or concrete.
There are several different piling methods available which can be displacement pile driving or non-displacement piling. The size and weight of the piles are two of the most important factors when deciding upon a method of piling. Resistance, accessibility and noise restrictions are also considerations which must be taken into account when choosing a piling method and, therefore, appropriate piling equipment.
The use of the correct piling equipment, method and materials is integral to the safety and durability of a structure. Don’t cut any corners to save time or money as it could jeopardise the whole construction project.
Piling Services are Solid as a Rock
A fundamental part of a building is stability. If a building is not solid then it is rendered useless. The ways in which to ensure the stability of a building is by the installation of foundation piles.
The main elements of a decent piling service are planning and skill. If you are planning on beginning a building project, it is essential that you find a first-rate piling service that can provide you with experienced and skilled piling specialists. Piling should always be carried out by qualified piling specialists who know what they are doing. You should work closely with the piling service company to make sure that you both understand the project fully.
Find a piling service is easy these days with the internet. Be warned, however, that anyone can get themselves a website but that does not mean they are who they say they are. Take the time to research piling services and read reviews by people who have used the piling service which you are interested is. A decent piling service is the key to a successful building project.
Steel versus Composite Ground Anchors
Ground anchors are an integral part of the construction process as they create stability for buildings and other structures. Ground anchors are particularly effective when buildings are constructed on steep slopes as they prevent erosion and potential landslides.
Composite ground anchors have many benefits over steel ground anchors. One of the key overriding factors of composite ground anchors is their strength. Steel ground anchors are more likely to succumb to corrosion which is caused by both atmospheric conditions and alkalis which are found it most soils. Composite ground anchors have a longer life-span which means they cost less to maintain and will not need to be replaced as often.
Despite being more durable, composite ground anchors are lighter in weight than the steel alternative which means they can be transported around and installed much easier. Steel ground anchors are more rigid making them less flexible than composite ground anchors. There are certain sites which it is simply impossible to opt for steel ground anchors.
With regards to health and safety, composite ground anchors are preferable to steel ground anchors. Because they are lightweight but also heavy duty, installation teams and engineers can implement them in difficult circumstances. There is less chance of them breaking or slipping which could prove to be very dangerous.
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.