Micropiles
Micropiles are used to introduce compression load into the ground or to transfer tensile forces. This type of element is commonly used for anchoring (underwater-)concrete floors and/or foundations of buildings. H5S can provide clients with the complete package of supply, installation and, if required, the load testing of micropiles.
We are experienced in the installation of micropiles using both cased and uncased drilling techniques. Thanks to the sonic drilling technique, micropiles can be installed at great depths and may be seen as a vibration free system — also in the engineering process.
Our micropiles can be installed from both land and water.
Installation below working level
In some situations, it is preferred to install (or disconnect) the micropile head below the working level when later excavations are needed. With this technique, no piles are encountered during the excavation of the construction pit. The unique advantage of installing micropiles with sonic drilling is that we can drill with nothing more than water to reach the future excavation depth of the construction pit. Compared to traditional drilling methods, this technique leaves hardly any traces of grout/cement in the excavated soil. Installing piles below the working surface is favourable for both excavation speed and the quality of outgoing soil.
Design
If the chosen design approach requests it, micropiles can also be tested. This happens with acceptance tests and suitability tests. In some projects, an examination test is performed at the start to prove the capacity of the micropiles and to verify the chosen design factors.
Testing
H5S has broad experience with the delivery and installation of micropiles and can offer our clients added value, especially in projects with difficult conditions. For example, we recently anchored an existing basement floor that was flooded due to calamity. In this case, we had to drill under water, through the concrete basement floor, from a pontoon in the basement. These micropiles were also disconnected underwater, fitted with anchor plates and tested underwater.
Want to know more about micropiles? Get in touch!
