The Demand for Eco Friendly Piling Techniques In the UK

Posted by Joe Lean on December 21st, 2016

Piling is a crucial aspect of every construction project as it provides the support that the structure needs for its stability. It involves setting deep foundations using the right equipment and materials into the soil. Deep insertion ensures a base that is sturdy enough for the construction project. The commonly used materials for piling include steel, wool, and steel, but newer, eco-friendly piling techniques, such as the use of CFA, are being introduced and becoming increasingly popular in the UK. These environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional piling materials, which are both reliable and guarantee a strong and stable base, while ensuring safety for ground water, soil, and other surfaces. 

CFA stands for ‘continuous flight auger’ and it is an eco-friendly piling technique introduced by many reputable piling and groundworks contractors in the UK. CFA foundations are ideal for building sites and urban areas where the levels of noise and vibration must be reduced. They are ideal for most ground conditions in the UK, too, especially when new groundwork must be established near existing structures, a situation which is common in cities and residential areas. Piling with CFA can be a cost-effective and comprehensive solution for a sturdy, environmentally friendly foundation using suspended auger and hydraulic driven mounted systems. For drilled pier foundations, the piers are typically connected using ground beams or grade beams. 

In CFA piling, the technique involves a hollow stemmed continuous flight auger, which is used to drill into the ground, following a required degree of resistance or depth. There is no need for casing. Piling contractors use a cement grout mix, which is pumped down the auger’s stem. The auger itself is slowly withdrawn during the pumping process to convey the soil upward along flights. From there, a shaft containing fluid cement grout is formed to the ground level. Additional support for any load or weight is achieved by installing reinforcement, which is usually made of micro, soldier, suction, sheet, and tripod piles. The type of piles used will depend on the architecture and the levels of specialist infrastructure concepts involved in the project. 

The demand in eco-friendly piling technique in the UK is high in all types of industries belonging to the commercial and industrial sectors and the private sector. If you want to learn more about CFA piling, be sure to get in touch with an established and seasoned contractor that specialises in this eco-friendly piling method. 

About the Author: 

This article has been written by Mr. Joe Lean who is a director of Pile Tech. Pile Tech is a Sussex based company offering sub-structural piling, underpinning and groundwork systems in the South East for Sussex, Surrey, Kent and London. The company offers cost effective and tailor made solutions in accordance with each client’s individual circumstances along with an in-house design team to offer assistance as and when it is necessary.