The driven piles vs. bored piles debate is one of the longest-standing construction method conundrums. Both piling methods are extremely popular due to their versatility and durability, with the ability to create firm, secure foundations for a variety of builds regardless of soil conditions.
However, each method has its own unique advantages. As such, let’s look into the pros and cons of driven piles vs. bored piles to help you choose the best piling method for your project.
Driven piling
Driven piles are long columns made of concrete or steel and are installed by being hammered or vibrated into the ground. This installation method also compacts the soil as the piles are driven into the ground, creating a foundation with impressive load-bearing strength.
Pros
- Quick solution: As driven piles are precast, they can be quickly inserted into the soil, making it an ideal method for quick turnarounds.
- High-quality: Driven piles are designed and manufactured to a high standard for the best durability and longevity.
- Soil compaction: The driven piling method combines two benefits in one — installation and soil compaction, resulting in superior stability for builds.
- Cleaner: Driven piles don’t create piles of excavated soil, unlike bored piles. This is another reason why it’s popular for short project timelines, as the transportation and disposal of excess soil would create extra labour and take more time.
Cons
- Disruptive: Pile driving involves hammering and strong vibrations to install the pile, causing a lot of noise and movement across the site. This makes it an unsuitable method for builds near residential homes, hospitals, and protected buildings.
- Risk of movement: Similarly, due to the movement caused by hammering and vibrating the pile into place, there is a higher risk of soil displacement. This could potentially lead to structural issues and impact nearby buildings and services.
- Limited: Driven piles are precast, which means they have to be transported for use. With this in mind, the length of the pile can be limited by what can safely be transported to the site.
- Heavy equipment: Unlike bored piles, driven piles require large, heavy piling rigs for installation. Some sites may not have enough space to accommodate such large equipment.
Bored piling
Bored piles are constructed in a very different way. A hole is drilled into the ground, and reinforcements are added to stabilise the hole. Then, the hole is filled with concrete to create a pile. Bored piling removes the need for complex pile transportation and is also popular for city-centre constructions as it involves no noise or vibration.
Pros
- Quiet and non-disruptive: Bored piling is a popular option for city-centre builds or for structures being built on sensitive soil conditions. With the pile being cast on-site, bored piles have a quieter and minimally disruptive installation process.
- More length choice: Unlike driven piles, bored piles can be as deep as the hole they’re set in, offering more flexibility and versatility.
- Impressive load-bearing: Bored concrete piles can have large diameters, providing enough strength to support skyscrapers, bridges, and towers.
- Suited to complex ground conditions: Bored piles directly bypass any soft or unsuitable soil conditions and anchor into more secure, weight-bearing layers of sand and rock for a reliable build.
Cons
- Takes more time: Due to being cast on-site, bored piling can take more time. This is because the drilling, reinforcing, and pouring takes longer than hammering in pre-cast driven piles.
- Weather-dependent: Bored piling methods can be quickly impacted by wet ground, heavy rainfall, and water ingress. This could lead to project delays and more labour.
- Messy: As a hole must be dug to cast the bored pile, this method generates a lot of excess soil that needs to be disposed of safely and in line with regulations. This step can take a lot of time, manpower, and cost more money.
- Higher cost: Bored piling takes more time, expertise, and equipment than driven piling, resulting in a higher price point.
In summary, driven piles are better suited to large-scale building projects on open or remote sites with plenty of space. This method is also a top pick where quick installation is essential.
Bored piling would be the best method for city-centre builds near residential buildings on challenging ground conditions.
Trust in WL Piling for your project’s piling needs
Still not sure whether to choose bored piling or driven piling to support your project?
Get in touch with our team, and we can conduct a site investigation and soil survey to determine the best method for your needs.
We’ve been helping clients across the North West with our professional piling services for over 50 years, making us the most trusted piling contractors in the area. Take a look at our testimonials for more information.
