Piling Systems

GeoSolv’s specialized teams of ground engineers and technical experts have a wealth of experience installing piling systems throughout Ontario to significantly increase the load-bearing capacity of deep foundations. Their deep understanding of local soil conditions means they are well-positioned to help project owners and their consulting teams to efficiently and cost-effectively identify and install the best Piling Systems for a wide range of applications.

Piling is a type of deep foundation, used to transfer loads to deeper stabler levels than is possible with a traditional more shallow foundation. Vertical columns of concrete, steel or wood, or a combination, are driven through the softer compressible layers, deep into the less compressible layers, and thereby the piling increases the load-bearing capacity of the foundation.

Piling systems can generally be categorized into three types:

• Prefabricated Piles
  These piling systems are prefabricated, often of metal or concrete, and driven, screwed, drilled, or vibrated into the ground.

• Cast in Place
  Deep Foundation systems constructed in place are also called caissons, drilled shafts, drilled piers, cast-in-drilled-hole piles (CIDH piles) or Cast-in-Situ.

• Other Piles
  Some piling systems involve both a pre-fabricated component (typically metal) combined with grout to lend composite properties for certain applications, such as adding frictional capacity.

In some cases, a deep foundation is the best solution. Piling systems are utilized to create solid foundations within a wide range of deep problem soils. They are very versatile in that they are available in many shapes and sizes, and are typically pre-fabricated or cast in place, depending on the piling system type. Piling systems can allow for rapid construction, and are a clean, efficient method for creating sound foundations.

There are a wide variety of piling or deep foundation systems available, and the choice of method depends on several factors. These include soil type and depth to end-bearing, groundwater, and collapsibility of the soil, applied loads, access and space limitations, among other factors.

As indicated in the table below, GeoSolv’s Driven Ductile Iron Piling, Helical Screw Piles and Drilled Micropiles offer distinct advantages for various construction challenges compared to traditional methods such as driven piles (H Piles, Pipe Piles, Precast Concrete Piles), caissons (pier foundations, bored piles, drilled shaft piles), or continuous flight auger piles (CFAs, auger cast piles). The following table indicates the various piling/deep foundation systems available on the market in Ontario today.