You may already know that piling foundations rely on surface soils to provide support for structural builds, so where does geotechnical engineering piling come into it?
In any piling project, geotechnical engineering plays a huge role. This specialised field ensures that all work is carried out as safely and precisely as possible, and it evaluates the sub-surface conditions that piles require for safe load support.
Read on to learn more about how geotechnical engineering influences every stage of the piling process.
What is geotechnical engineering?
Geotechnical engineering is the study of sub-surface materials, such as soil and rock, and how these materials act when put under pressure. It is an essential consideration for piling as it determines how secure and safe a structure is when built on top of these materials.
How does geotechnical engineering guide site investigations?
In fact, geotechnical engineering comes into play long before any piling work begins. Any professional piling contractor will conduct something called a geotechnical investigation beforehand, which aims to give the team as much information as possible about the site of the piling project. This can include:
- Location information
- Site history
- Any hazards to be aware of
- Existing structure locations
- Extracting soil and rock samples via borehole drilling for testing
When soil and rock samples are tested, geotechnical engineers analyse them to determine their strength, stiffness, and permeability. These three characteristics indicate whether a sub-surface is suitable for piling foundations.
If the sub-materials are found to be too soft or loose, or have too high a water content, then geotechnical engineers may recommend an alternative approach or pile type to avoid complications. It goes without saying that a site survey is one of the most important steps in a piling installation.
How can geotechnical engineering impact pile design and type?
Once the geotechnical site investigation has been conducted, geotechnical engineers can decide which type of pile is best suited to the location, ground properties, and the structure involved in the project. They do this by looking at factors like structural loads, access challenges, soil strength, corrosion risk, and environmental considerations.
While there are many types of piles available, they all share the same purpose and main goal – to distribute the weight of a building and disperse it into the lower ground levels beneath the surface.
Some of the most common pile designs and installation methods include:
- Driven piles – hammered into the ground
- Bored piles – where holes are drilled into the ground, then filled with concrete
- Screw piles – twisted into the ground
It’s also important to note that foundational piles have two ways of supporting a structure – skin friction (where the sides hold the weight) and end bearing (where the end of the pile holds the weight).
By conducting comprehensive soil tests and calculating the maximum load capacity of each, along with a safety factor, geotechnical engineers can reduce the risk of selecting the wrong type of pile. Selecting the wrong type of pile design and support method could lead to wasted resources – or even worse, an unsafe, unstable structure.
Geotechnical engineering and quality assurance
With an in-depth knowledge of sub-surface materials and their properties, geotechnical engineers play an active role within the pile installation process. They can assist by:
- Overseeing the pile design selection process
- Supervising installation angles and spacing
- Monitoring piling installation techniques
- Acting quickly and efficiently in the event of an unexpected obstruction or site characteristic
As well as being active throughout the pile installation process to ensure that everything flows as it should, geotechnical engineers are qualified to conduct structural tests after installation to ensure the piles are performing as expected.
Some of the most common pile tests include:
- Low-strain pile integrity tests: Using sound wave reflections and sonic echo, low-strain pile integrity tests can detect issues and weaknesses, such as cracks and necking (instability).
- High-strain dynamic tests: With strain sensors and electrical impulses, high-strain integrity tests can help measure a pile’s bearing capacity and resistance distribution when met with sudden, unexpected loads.
- Static load tests: Where incremental weight is added to the pile to measure how much it sinks (also known as pile displacement).
Final thoughts: Is geotechnical engineering an essential consideration for piling?
Yes, 100%. At WL Piling, we believe that geotechnical engineering should always be considered in any piling project. This specialist field offers knowledge that can prevent structural failures and material wastage, all while keeping your project running smoothly, and most important of all, safely.
It’s never worth taking a risk when it comes to foundational construction work.
Contact us today for geotechnical engineering piling support
With over 50 years of experience, we’re proud to be the trusted North West piling contractors for hundreds of customers. Our piling services are varied, and we offer everything from foundation and grundomat piling installations to mini pile and driven pile applications.
You can rely on our high-quality workmanship, excellent customer service, and health and safety compliance as a priority.
Get a free quote today by contacting us. Call 07525 497 677, email chris@wlpiling.co.uk, or fill in our contact form. We’ll be happy to help you with your project!
