Drilling for piles

One of the most important construction processes is pile drilling, which provides the vital support for a variety of building types. Long, thin columns known as piles are usually composed of steel, concrete, or wood. In order to ensure the stability and integrity of the construction above, these columns are driven deeply into the ground to reach more stable soil or rock layers.

Drilling for piles is primarily done to shift the structure’s weight to more stable, deeper ground. This is particularly crucial in regions where the surface soil is insufficiently solid to sustain large, weighty structures. Piles aid in more equitable weight distribution by extending to the denser layers below, lowering the possibility of shifting and settlement.

Drilling piles can be done in a variety of ways, each according to the needs of the project and the type of soil. Among the most used methods are percussion drilling, rotary drilling, and auger drilling. The type of soil, the existence of groundwater, and the particular requirements of the construction project all influence the method selection.

Prioritizing safety and accuracy are essential when drilling for piles. In order to prevent problems such as misalignment, inadequate depth, or structural weaknesses, proper planning and execution are crucial. In order to make sure the piles are installed correctly and can support the necessary loads, engineers and construction teams collaborate closely and use cutting-edge technology and equipment.

All things considered, drilling for piles is an essential step in building strong, long-lasting structures. This method creates the framework for secure and reliable construction, whether it be for infrastructure projects, commercial buildings, or residential structures. Comprehending the fundamentals of pile drilling facilitates an appreciation of the intricacy and significance of this indispensable construction technique.

Drilling piles – purpose and sequence of actions when performing drilling operations

The following issues can be resolved with a tried-and-true technical solution: drilling wells for piles.

• construction of new foundations with increased resistance to movement of problematic soil;
• strengthening the foundations of previously constructed buildings and increasing the stability of building structures.

The technology’s capacity to conduct drilling operations year-round is a significant feature. The nearby buildings’ foundations are not negatively impacted by the drilling process. The general procedure for constructing a pile foundation base includes the installation of pile supports and the formation of channels in the ground. It’s critical to uphold the operation’s continuity and comply with technological specifications.

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The following algorithm is used to carry out channel drilling and pile installation tasks:

• special equipment for drilling operations is installed;
• measures are taken to ensure the immobility of the equipment;
• a ​​well of a given depth and diameter is drilled depending on the project requirements;
• the surface of the pit is preserved with clay or an inventory pipe is lowered;
• a reinforcement cage for the foundation is installed and fixed in the drilled channel;
• a cavity with a reinforcement grid is filled with prepared concrete mixture.

The following things should be taken into account when operating a bored pile:

• use wire for reinforcing structures with a diameter of 8-14 mm;
• use grade concrete made of M400 or M500 cement;
• do not allow rock to fall into the drilled pit;
• perform concreting for 8 hours after drilling.

Please be aware that both the drilled pit and the concrete mix have a limited service life. The ground cavity and the concrete eventually become unsuitable for additional work. For bored piles, the formed cavities must be reinforced and concreted during the shift.

In order to provide sturdy foundations for buildings and other structures, pile drilling is an essential step in the construction process. This method guarantees that large loads are dispersed equally and that structures stay secure even on difficult soil by constructing deep, robust supports. Comprehending the techniques and advantages of pile drilling enables constructors to accomplish secure, durable outcomes in an array of projects.

Drilling holes for piles – using special equipment and machinery

Pits are created in the ground for bored pile supports of a pile foundation using a variety of techniques:

• special equipment is used that moves independently on the construction site using pneumatic wheels or tracks. Using industrial drilling rigs allows you to complete an increased volume of work in a limited time. Specialized equipment allows drilling wells more than 40 meters deep with a diameter of up to one and a half meters;
• hand-held devices are used to make cylindrical cavities in the ground. The design features of the hand tool allow for the formation of conical cavities in the lower part of the borehole, increasing the area of ​​the supporting surface. The diameter of the working element of hand drills is no more than 30 cm. Hand-held devices are actively used in the field of private housing construction.

The shorter drilling operation duration and substantial cost savings are made possible by the use of drilling machines, which are known for their higher productivity. Because drilling rigs are affixed to strong vehicles, they can be moved quickly to finish designated tasks.

Pits are rapidly formed using the drilling machines listed below:

• a drilling rig for drilling holes for piles;
• a drilling and crane rig with a hydraulic drive and a blade drill;
• pile-driving and drilling machine with hydraulic control.

The following categories of mobile drilling rigs are based on their operating principle:

• units equipped with a solid auger, which is extended as it is immersed in the pit;
• rigs with a drilling working element and a tubular casing for feeding concrete mortar into the cavity.

The complexity of the task, the amount of drilling required, and the diameter and length of the boreholes for pile supports should all be taken into account when selecting equipment for a given problem.

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Drilling for bored piles – drilling technology

The following steps are involved in the process of drilling pits for pile supports installation:

• preparatory work related to geodetic surveys and transferring the coordinates of the location of the supports to the construction site;
• delivery to the work site of the necessary materials, as well as drilling equipment, which is placed in accordance with the requirements of the design documentation;
• direct execution of drilling operations with reaching the depth specified by the project and installation of a reinforcing frame;
• installation, if necessary, of a casing pipe and filling the formed cavity with concrete mortar.

The pile support is prepared for further operation once the concrete mortar has reached an operational hardness. Using this technology, a pile foundation for low-rise frame buildings and timber and rounded log structures can be constructed. Let’s delve deeper into the particulars of the preliminary work and examine the drilling techniques employed.

Construction of bored piles: preparatory activities

Pit drilling is preceded by a preparatory step that involves the following tasks:

• design documentation is developed for the object under construction. The process map attached to the project contains information on the formation of each channel and the entire pile field;
• the necessary tools, equipment and materials are prepared for drilling operations. The choice of equipment used depends on the drilling method, pile size and soil condition.

The estimated load, whose value is dependent on the structural features, is also considered during the design phase.

Among the preparatory tasks are the following works:

• removal of the topsoil over the entire area of ​​the construction site, the thickness of which is 15-20 cm;
• planning the pile field of the future foundation taking into account all the necessary design requirements;
• installation of fences around the perimeter of the work site, restricting access of unauthorized persons to the work site;
• breaking out the foundation site according to the documentation, followed by checking the elevation marks;
• formation of a crushed stone cushion over the area of ​​the site for the unimpeded movement of drilling equipment;
• laying of reinforced concrete panels that facilitate the movement of heavy drilling rigs around the construction site;
• equipping a water pumping system necessary for flushing wells and extracting soil;
• connecting lighting installations that facilitate work in the dark;
• placing drilling equipment on the construction site and ensuring its fixed position.

Materials required for drilling operations are delivered to the work site after preparation.

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How are bored piles constructed – specifics of the technology

There are a few different ways to drill pile holes:

• using a standard blade auger equipped with a reinforced tip;
• using an extendable inventory pipe consisting of separate sections;
• a combined method involving auger drilling followed by feeding concrete into the cavity.

Every technique for creating wells has unique qualities. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Drilling piles using auger-type technological equipment

The suggested procedure for carrying out drilling operations calls for the use of specialized drilling apparatus fitted with a conventional auger. A longitudinal rod with blades arranged in a helical pattern and a reinforced tip on the shank serves as the working element.

Pitch of the screw blades and turn angle of inclination both optimally chosen guarantee rapid extraction of the excavated soil to the zero mark.

The primary functions of apparatus fitted with a typical blade auger are as follows:

• increased borehole penetration speed up to 120 cm/min by the working element;
• cyclic immersion and lifting of the auger device with the extraction of settled soil;
• the ability to pass in one go without lifting the blade auger of a borehole with a depth of 8-10 m.

Using an auger drill to form a cavity in the lower part of the channel is made possible by the functional capabilities of the equipment and the design features of the working element. An expansion device that is submerged alongside the auger provides the conical cavity shape and the expanded area of the support platform. The hinge mechanism causes the nozzle’s angular position to change at a specific depth, forming an expansion in the lower portion of the pit with a specific shape and size. This enables the bored pile’s load-bearing capacity to be increased.

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Drilling holes for piles using rod technology with concreting

A cavity in the ground can be created and solidified using this drilling technique. The concrete mixture is fed through a channel in the auger pipe using equipment that has a rod working element.

The utilized technology apparatus and instrumentation permit:

• to form many holes per shift, the total length of which reaches 350-400 m;
• immerse the working element in the soil when performing drilling operations to a depth of 30-40 m;
• ensure the diameter of the channel formed during the immersion of the rod tool in the range of 50-100 cm and higher;
• gradually increase the length of the sections of the blade auger until the specified depth of the pit is reached;
• pump the prepared concrete mixture into the well using a special pumping unit;
• raise the working mast simultaneously with the supply of concrete mixture into the drilled cavity.

The compacting of the well walls during the pumping process of the concrete solution improves the channel’s strength characteristics. By pressing down on it or by using a vibratory driver, the reinforcement cage is submerged in the well. By combining the drilling and concreting processes, this drilling technique allows for a significant reduction in the construction cycle for pile foundations.

Drilling for bored piles with protection of part of the well using pipes

The technology available for drilling operations makes it possible to use inventory pipes to shield the ground’s formed channel’s surface.

The following parts make up an inventory pipe, a unique piece of drilling equipment:

• separate tubular sections that are easily connected using locks. The length of each element does not exceed 6 m;
• cutting head with serrated surface. The nozzle is made of carbide material and is attached to the bottom of the pipe.

The following algorithm is used to guide the drilling process:

1. High-speed excavation of the soil massif with a drill is carried out. When the working body rotates and plunges into the well, the soil is gradually removed from the formed channel.
2. Simultaneously with drilling, an inventory pipe is pressed into the soil. The metal shell of the protective pipe makes it difficult for groundwater to penetrate into the well and prevents the walls of the pit from collapsing.

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Following the completion of the steps necessary to form a deepening, the following steps are taken:

1. The auger drill is extracted to the zero mark.
2. Water that has penetrated through the soil into the pit is pumped out.
3. The reinforcement grid is gradually lowered into the well.

A pre-mixed concrete mixture is pumped into the ground cavity to complete the formation of a bored pile. Concrete mortar is continuously supplied using specialized machinery.

Drilling operations can now be performed on dry soils and problematic soils with elevated moisture concentrations thanks to technological advancements.

Step	Description
Site Preparation	Clear the area and mark the drilling spots.
Drilling	Use a drill rig to create holes for the piles.
Installing Piles	Place the piles into the drilled holes.
Concrete Pouring	Pour concrete into the holes to secure the piles.
Finishing	Allow the concrete to set and finish the surface.

In order to provide the essential support for buildings and other structures, particularly in regions with unstable soil, pile drilling is an essential step in modern construction. Pile construction ensures that structures can support large loads and withstand natural forces like wind and earthquakes by establishing deep foundations.

Several tools and techniques are used in the process, all of which are customized to meet the project’s unique needs. Each method, such as rotary methods and auger drilling, has advantages that guarantee the effective and efficient installation of the piles. The type of soil, the amount of load required, and the site’s characteristics all influence the method choice.

Precision and safety are crucial when drilling piles. The integrity of the foundation is ensured and the risk of accidents is decreased by making sure the equipment is well-maintained and operated by qualified professionals. In the field, it is crucial to follow safety procedures and conduct routine inspections.

The accuracy and efficiency of pile drilling have increased with the use of contemporary technology and innovations. More accurate pile placement and improved pile performance are made possible by sophisticated equipment and methods, which eventually result in stronger and longer-lasting structures.

All things considered, pile driving is an essential part of building that necessitates meticulous preparation, expert execution, and ongoing innovation. Builders can create dependable, long-lasting foundations for their projects by investing in the appropriate techniques and technologies and realizing the significance of this process.

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