Piling is a foundation construction method that involves boring a pile into a specific depth of soil to transfer loads from the structure to the underlying soil. Normally, piles are spaced according to an engineer’s specifications and are often topped off with a concrete beam that acts as a barrier or structural support.
Using the right piling for your project is key to its success. In London and the surrounding counties, there are different soil types and strata that can influence which type of piling will be required, depending on your design needs.
In-situ tests and soil laboratory testing are often carried out on site to understand the make up, strength and suitability of the underlying ground. The results can then be used to determine the size and shape of your foundation, as well as how much reinforcement is needed within the pile.
The best way to start the process of deciding on the right pile for your project is to talk through your plans with our engineers. They can advise you on what piles will be suitable for your situation and how to go about obtaining the necessary ground information.
Pile drilling rigs are available that can be fitted with special attachments to work in tight or limited access locations where there is little headroom to spare. This can include working inside domestic properties, where the headroom is not great enough to accommodate a standard drilling rig.
This can be particularly useful in areas that are difficult to reach or where a soil excavation would be costly and disruptive to the local community. These types of specialised piling rigs also have additional features that can help reduce risk to people and the environment around the construction site, such as noise and vibration monitoring.
Taking your London piling project from concept to completion requires a high level of knowledge about the underlying soils, so it is important to rely on experienced and knowledgeable piling contractors. Arma Piling offers a full range of piling solutions, from domestic mini piling projects to large scale new build projects on behalf of developers and architects.
Achieving the right depth of piling is not always straightforward, so you must rely on your piling contractor to ensure your project is carried out safely and on time. For example, you should always use a company that has a licence to bore piles in the area and is a member of the relevant industry bodies such as the London and Home Counties Pile Society (LDSA).
The deepest pile ever bored into London Clay was recently achieved by Keltbray Piling on a development in Victoria, South East England. The project is part of a wider project to create a new 17-storey office building and mixed retail and office development called Nova East.
