What are the advantages of auger cast piles?
Fast and Cost-Effective:
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Simultaneous Drilling and Pouring:
- The process of installing auger cast piles involves advancing an auger to the design tip elevation and then pumping concrete as the auger is withdrawn in a controlled fashion. This eliminates the need for separate drilling, casing, and concrete placement steps, speeding up the overall installation.
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No Need for Casing or Dewatering:
- Auger cast piles do not require casing or dewatering, even in loose or water-bearing soils. This reduces the time and complexity of the installation process, as additional steps and equipment are not necessary.
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Continuous Workflow:
- The continuous nature of the auger cast pile installation process allows for a steady workflow without interruptions, which means that multiple piles can be installed in succession without significant downtime.
Low Noise and Vibration:
- Auger cast piles are installed by drilling rather than driving, significantly reducing noise and vibration. This makes them ideal for use in urban areas, on a university campus, or near hospitals where minimizing disruption is critical.
Ideal Soil Conditions:
- Auger cast piles work well in the piedmont residual soils found in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. With the slow transition from soil to soft weathered rock to hard rock, auger cast piles are well suited in locations with deep soil profiles found throughout the piedmont.
- Auger cast piles also work well in coastal soils found east of I-95. The installation method is well suited for installing piles in collapsing soils such as sand below the water table.
Continuous Installation Process:
- The auger drilling and concrete placement are done simultaneously, eliminating the risk of hole collapse and ensuring a continuous, uniform pile with good shaft integrity.
- Instrumentation can be added to the drill rig to create a continuous record of pile installation.
- Instrumentation examples