Building the future
Deep Foundations Resource Guide
PFI Resource Library
Introduction
Deep foundations are an integral aspect of construction, providing the necessary support for structures large and small. They allow builders to transfer loads from the structure to the deeper, more competent layers of soil or bedrock, offering stability even in challenging conditions. The necessity for deep foundations arises when the near-surface soils are weak or loose and cannot support the loads imposed by the structure.
At Pacific Foundation, we understand the critical role of deep foundations in ensuring the integrity and longevity of structures. We offer a suite of services tailored to the specific needs of each project, from CFA (auger cast) piles to drilled shafts, driven piles, and micropiles. Our expert team combines technical proficiency with practical construction experience, ensuring the delivery of robust and reliable deep foundations for all types of construction projects.
This resource aims to provide an in-depth look into our deep foundation services, offering insight into our methodologies, showcasing our project highlights, and explaining the benefits of partnering with Pacific Foundation for your deep foundation needs. Whether you’re a contractor, an architect, an engineer, or an interested party, this comprehensive guide will illuminate the intricacies of deep foundation construction and Pacific Foundation’s commitment to excellence in this field.
The Significance of Deep Foundations in Construction
Deep foundations are not merely a component of a construction project; they’re the linchpin that determines the integrity, safety, and long-term resilience of structures. They bridge the gap between construction and geotechnical engineering, providing the necessary anchorage to the stable subsoil or rock layers, well beyond the influence of seasonal weather conditions or surface loads. Here’s an exploration of the significance of deep foundations in construction:
Supporting Structural Loads:
The primary purpose of a deep foundation is to transfer the loads from a structure to the more stable strata deep underground. This is particularly important for large, heavy structures such as skyscrapers, bridges, and industrial facilities. By ensuring that these loads are safely distributed, deep foundations contribute significantly to the overall stability and safety of the built environment.
Dealing with Poor Surface Soil:
Not all construction sites are blessed with firm, stable soil. In fact, it’s quite common to encounter soft, compressible, or loose soils in many regions. When surface soils are incapable of bearing the imposed loads, deep foundations become a necessity. They reach down to deeper layers where the soil or rock has sufficient strength to support the structure.
Overcoming Geotechnical Challenges:
Deep foundations are often integral to construction projects on sites with unique geotechnical challenges, such as high water tables, slopes, or near existing structures. Specialized deep foundation techniques can also be used to overcome issues like liquefaction potential in seismic regions or mitigating settlement in compressible soils.
Long-Term Stability:
Deep foundations can provide a high degree of settlement control, leading to better long-term performance of the structure. They reduce the potential for differential settlement which can cause structural distress and failures. With the ability to resist uplift, lateral, and moment loads, deep foundations contribute to the holistic stability of a structure.
Enabling Innovation in Architecture:
Deep foundations have opened the door to innovation in modern architecture. Without the ability to anchor buildings securely into the earth, many of the world’s tallest skyscrapers and most ambitious architectural designs wouldn’t exist. The Burj Khalifa, for instance, relies on deep foundations to support its immense height.
In summary, deep foundations serve as the unseen heroes of construction projects, underpinning the world’s architectural marvels and mundane structures alike. At Pacific Foundation, we recognize the significant role of deep foundations and strive to deliver these critical services with a keen attention to detail, robust engineering, and unparalleled workmanship. Our deep understanding of geotechnical principles and decades-long experience in the field equip us to tackle a range of foundation challenges, ensuring the success and safety of every project we undertake.
Deep Foundation Services Offered by Pacific Foundation
Deep foundations, as their name implies, extend deep into the earth, anchoring structures to bedrock or stable soil layers far beneath the surface. Pacific Foundation provides a wide range of deep foundation services, each tailored to the unique requirements and ground conditions of every project. Our goal is to ensure that the structures we support stand firm against all manner of environmental and load stresses.
Our extensive fleet, featuring the robust Bauer BG55 and workhorse BG46 and BG40’s provide high torque and crowd pull force, ensuring precision and efficiency in soil and rock, even in the toughest conditions.
Supplementing our capabilities are numerous low-clearance and specialized vertical drill rigs. These rigs, tailored for sites with overhead restrictions or hard-to-reach locations, maximize our adaptability in diverse construction scenarios. Our hammer drills provide the impetus needed for quick and effective penetration of hard substrates, while our expansive range of large-diameter tooling options guarantees optimal project flexibility.
CFA (Auger Cast) Piles
CFA piles, or Continuous Flight Auger piles, involve the use of a hollow stem auger to drill into the ground. Once the desired depth is reached, concrete is pumped through the hollow stem while the auger is slowly withdrawn, creating a continuous pile reinforced with steel. This technique is versatile and efficient, capable of achieving considerable depths and diameters while minimizing vibration and noise — a critical factor in urban environments.
Displacement CFA Piles
Displacement CFA Piling builds on the traditional auger cast method by utilizing a displacement tool and auger design. This process displaces the soil laterally, creating a void for the pile and reducing the amount of spoils generated. This environmentally-friendly method limits the need for soil removal, reduces concrete usage, and has been shown to enhance pile performance by improving the soil’s properties.
Drilled Shafts
Drilled shafts, also known as drilled piers or caissons, are constructed by drilling a deep hole into the earth and filling it with concrete and reinforcement. This method allows for large load capacities and is ideal for structures like bridges and towers or when dealing with large lateral loads. Drilled shafts can also be an effective solution in challenging soil conditions, including rock.
Driven Piles
Driven piles are deep foundation elements that are hammered into the ground using a pile driver. The piles, which can be made of steel, concrete, or timber, are driven to their required depth or until they reach a prescribed resistance. Driven piles are widely recognized for their ability to carry high load capacities and their robustness in challenging soil conditions.
Micropiles
Micropiles are small diameter piles (typically less than 12 inches) that can be installed in virtually all ground conditions. They provide an excellent solution for underpinning existing structures or for use in restricted access sites. The installation process causes minimal vibration and noise, making them ideal for projects in sensitive areas.
At Pacific Foundation, we understand that every construction project has unique needs and complexities. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of deep foundation solutions, backed by our experienced team and commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency. From the initial ground investigation to the final installation, our goal is to provide our clients with the confidence and peace of mind that comes from knowing their project is built on a firm foundation.
Our extensive fleet, featuring the robust Bauer BG55, is engineered for large shaft work, capable of digging deep and wide, making it ideal for the most demanding projects. The BG55 drilling rig is renowned for its high torque and crowd pull force, ensuring precision and efficiency in soil and rock, even in the toughest conditions.
Supplementing our capabilities are numerous low-clearance and specialized vertical drill rigs. These rigs, tailored for sites with overhead restrictions or hard-to-reach locations, maximize our adaptability in diverse construction scenarios. Our hammer drills provide the impetus needed for quick and effective penetration of hard substrates, while our expansive range of large-diameter tooling options guarantees optimal project flexibility.
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