Whether you are building your home or a commercial project, you always want it to be strong and steady. Paying attention to its foundations is the key thing you need to do as the whole structure is based on them. However, strengthening the foundations and keeping the structure steady becomes challenging when soil is unstable or contains water content. Piling is one of the best approaches to support different types of building structures regardless of the soil conditions.

From bored to contig wall piling, different types of piling are used for buildings based on requirements. Selecting the right type for your project can be a tricky subject but not when you know every type and where they are most suitable. Today, we will tell you about the main types of piling and their role in supporting your buildings.

Types of Piling

The following are the most commonly used piling types for all types of residential and commercial building projects. Let’s go through the details of these types.

Bored Piling

Bored piles are installed into the soil by digging a hole and auguring it. A specialized machine called a rig is used to install bored piles. It contains different tools such as heavy drills, buckets, and augers to drill through the soil and remove soil to create space for the pile. Then concrete is filled in these holes to complete the installation process.

Sometimes, concrete is encased in steel and other metal layers before installation. These piles are best suited for almost every soil type and can be installed quickly. It is also a cost-effective option especially when it comes to shallow foundations. However, a lot of vibration and sound is produced during the installation process that can damage the surrounding structures. If hard materials such as rocks are present in the soil, the installation becomes difficult and you may not get them deep enough.

Sheet Piling

Contig sheet piling is one of the most commonly used piling types at commercial sites and extensive building projects. They help in soil excavation and provide support to buildings. Sheet piling is available in steel and plastic or vinyl. Both these types have different benefits and are often used to create steady foundations for buildings. Sometimes, sheets are installed temporarily and get out after the project’s completion and can be used for further projects making them an affordable choice.

Sheet piling is a highly affordable option especially when you opt to remove the sheets once groundwork is complete. They are suitable for waterfront structures and can be used to support walls. Load bearing capacity of sheet piles is limited and they may corrode over time.

Driven Piling

This piling involves the hammering or driving of piles into the soil to provide strong foundations for various structures. This piling is usually encased in a temporary or permanent steel layer and is driven into the soil by using vibrations. Driven piles can be created by using steel, concrete, timber, or all 3 of them. These piles are best suitable to areas where soil is not stable.

You can reach the desired depth using this piling type. They can bear heavy loads comfortably providing a very strong foundation for all types of building structures. Machinery required to install them is heavy and a lot of vibrations are produced during installation.

Screw Piling

As clear from the name, these piles have one or more helices at one end that are used to screw them into the solid using a drilling machine. The installation process is similar to screwing of a screw in wood or other surface. Screw piling produces less vibration making them an ideal choice for residential areas.

This type is highly suitable for construction sites where soil is expansive. Furthermore, they can be screwed at different angles to support existing structures. They also have a limited load-bearing capacity

Mini Piling

Mini or micro piling is one of the most versatile piling in Kent or elsewhere as it can be used to support various building structures. These are relatively smaller in diameter with some flexibility and are often used in restricted areas. Small machinery and quick installation make them ideal for places where limited access is available. It is the best type to provide support for existing structures such as railway bridges, home walls, etc.

They can also be used to strengthen the base of your home extensions to make them last for a long time. Despite their small size, they provide the same strength to the foundation as any other type. Light machinery required to install them and smaller size makes it a very affordable option.

Takeaway

You can choose from any of these piling types based on the soil condition at the construction site, weather conditions, size of the structure, and other factors. The best option is to consult with a constructor to choose the right type.