If you’re taking on a building project, piling could be exactly what you need to ensure the structure’s foundations are safe and secure. Thanks to its versatility, this construction method can be used for anything from small-scale residential builds to heavy, large-scale developments.
However, there are many different types of piling methods available, each with its own benefits and applications.
Read on for the best advice for choosing a piling method that suits your needs.
What piling methods are available?
Each piling method uses different equipment and approaches to suit a project’s specifications.
The goal of all piling methods is to drill piles (long columns) into the ground to support the construction of anything from buildings and high-rises, to towers. By bypassing weak soil, the load can be successfully transferred to deeper, more suitable layers of rock and soil for building on.
If you’re new to piling, here’s a quick summary of the different types of piling:
- Mini piling: Mini piling uses small piles to create stronger foundations. This is ideal for building sites with limited access and weak ground.
- Foundation piling: For large-scale construction projects, foundation piling can reinforce weak topsoil by providing a reliable base to build on.
- Grundomat piling: Grundomat piling uses a pneumatic (compressed air) hammer to drive small piles into the ground with no pre-drilling required. This piling method is best for residential builds where noise and space are a concern.
- Driven piling: By hammering piles into the ground using a piling rig, driven piling is a cheaper and less disruptive way to reinforce the foundations of a build.
How to choose the best piling method for your needs
No matter how big or small, undertaking any form of construction work requires a lot of time and effort. With this in mind, it’s important to have a good idea of the different piling methods and which suits your projects best.
At WL Piling, we always conduct a site investigation as a first step to analyse the site’s ground conditions. This helps us determine the best piling method for a client’s needs.
However, if you’d like more information about choosing piling methods, follow our handy guidance below:
Assess the site’s ground condition
The soil condition of your building site will be the biggest indicator as to which piling method you should use. There are six main types of soil in the UK: clay, sandy, silty, peaty, chalky, and loamy.
These soil types all have different properties and strengths. Therefore, they can heavily impact which piling method you choose. For instance, soft soils may require more durable driven piles, and dense soils may benefit from shorter piles.
Part of our process is testing and analysing the soil to determine its suitability and unique properties.
Consider the weight of the structure you’re building
Skyscrapers will need more secure foundations than a residential extension. With this in mind, it’s important to consider what you’re building and how heavy it is, as the piles will be used to distribute this weight evenly over a wider area.
Small residential builds can be secured with mini piling, whereas bridge, high-rise, and large commercial structures will need the durability of driven piling.
Take a look at the space on and around your site
Heavy-duty piling methods require a lot more space to carry out and can cause a lot of noise and vibration, so it’s worth looking around your site, assessing how much space you have available, and what your site is near.
For instance, driven piling may not be the best choice if you’re working in a city-centre location near residential buildings and other vibration-sensitive buildings such as a hospital, as it can cause a disturbance. Driven piling is better suited to remote sites with lots of space to play with.
Align with your budget
Each piling method comes with its own duration and cost, so it’s essential to consider your project deadline and whether it’s worth investing a little more in a speedier piling method so you can meet your timeframe.
You can expect the overall cost of piling in a hard-to-access site with unfavourable soil conditions to be more than mini piling on a simple residential build, as the former takes a lot more time and expertise.
WL Piling: The North West’s trusted piling contractors
Our team at WL Piling have been conducting piling services across the North West for over 50 years. Check out our testimonials to hear the experience of hundreds of happy clients.
Trust in our team to choose the best piling method for your project, with site investigations, soil testing, and tailored pile design to suit your building’s requirements.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your project, no matter how big or small.
