Detailed Evaluation of Mini Piling for Reinforcing Your Foundation

Mini piles are a relatively new alternative for those who want to underpin their foundations. The method resulted from the need to solve the problems builders faced when working in tight underground spaces. The restricted access implies that builders have a hard time angling equipment to install accessories in the foundation. Thankfully, mini piling addresses the problem by allowing builders to use both compression and tensioning techniques. They can also work within soils with variable characteristics, which is crucial for reducing the costs incurred for additional reinforcing elements. 

In this piece, you will go through a detailed evaluation of mini piling as one of the techniques used to underpin building foundations:

Nature of the Piles Used

It is essential to understand the nature of the piles used when using mini piles to underpin your foundation. First, builders can opt for reinforced concrete bored piles. They usually go by the name RC bored piles because their installation process involves boring a hole in the ground before filling the holes with special reinforcements and concrete. Secondly, you can also opt for driven piles when carrying out mini piling. They excel at forming robust piling walls around the walls of an existing building. Typically, the builders avoid positioning the drive piles directly below the building's walls to optimise efficiency.

The Correlation with the Building's Load

It is worth acknowledging that the foundation stands up to the building's whole load. Therefore, builders must understand the load elements when underpinning your foundation to ensure that you get the strongest footing. It is particularly important when dealing with mini piles because the load originating from the foundation must be transferred to supporting strata, often located at a depth greater than five metres. The support strength must be consistent throughout the column, otherwise, you risk having some lines of weakness.

Reinforced concrete mini piles are good for supporting vertical loads and resisting uplift that comes from clay heave and hydrostatic pressure. Don't be surprised if your builders insist to have them as tension piles known for eliminating uplift within the foundation. 

The Benefits You Get

Using mini piles to underpin your foundation comes with a host of benefits. First, the mini piles allow builders to incorporate them into an existing foundation setup. They are handy for anyone who needs a fast solution that fits into the existing system. Secondly, the method leaves a low carbon footprint because mini piles require less steel and concrete than most of the other underpinning techniques.  

For more information, contact a local company that offers underpinning services.