Types of piling can be categorised either by the purpose of their design, or by the method used to supply and install them. There are a number of ways to construct and install the various types of piling solutions. These are:
1. Bored piling
Bored piles are installed by auguring into the ground, this forms a hole into which concrete can be poured, so the pile can be cast into position. This method is suited to city environments, and areas where there are lots of surrounding buildings, as the vibration caused by installation is minimised. An open bored pile is constructed by boring into the ground, and removing the auger stem, this forms an open hole into which steel and concrete can be installed. This is suitable for cohesive ground with low water tables.
2. Driven piling
Driven piles are hammered into the ground, with the use of vibration. This method of piling is suited for foundations that are to be laid in non-cohesive soils, ground with a high water table, or souls that contain an amount of contaminants.Driven piles can be cast into position by using temporary or permanent steel casings. They can also be prepared off site by using precast piles.
3. Screw piling
Screw piles use circular, hollow, galvanised steel shafts which are screwed into the ground, much the same way a screw is fastened into wood. Using screw piling minimises the spoil created by installation, in some instances it can also be more sustainable and cost effective, when compared to other methods of piling.
4. Sheet piling
Sheet piling is a type of driven pile, these are constructed with a series of interlocking steel sheets. They can be used to create permanent, or temporary, retaining walls on construction sites where large excavations are needed.This method of piling can be extremely cost effective on sites where temporary soil retention is necessary, this is because the sheets can be removed and used again on different sites once the ground work is complete.
5. Mini piling
Mini piles, also sometimes called micro piles, typically range in size from 100mm to 400mm in diameter. Mini piles are not just distinguished from other piles due to their size, but also due to the way the pile itself is installed. In locations where there is restricted access, smaller style piling rigs are required, in order to install piles in areas where traditional piling rigs could not operate. This opens up a wide range of piling options for commercial and domestic development.
