Micro piles, referred to as mini piles, pin piles, needle piles, and root piles, are built using small-diameter steel casing and/or threaded bars, serving as deep foundation elements with high strength.
Common uses
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Provide structural support to most structures
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Underpin foundations
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Enhance mass stability
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Transfer loads
Process
Micro pile casings, typically 3 to 10 inches in diameter, are advanced using drilling, with reinforcing steel inserted. Cement grout is pumped in, extending casing to full depth or above bond zone with bar extending down. It supports various structures, and universal foundation micro pile drill rigs allow installation in restricted access areas. Combining micro pile tech with other techniques meets unique project needs cost-effectively. Wooden lagging lines span micro pile rows for excavation walls in low headroom areas. Post-grouting enhances frictional forces within bond length, increasing capacity. Micro piles stitch soil in shear zones, improving mass stability. In liquefiable profiles, they transfer loads to competent bearing strata for seismic design requirements.
Advantages
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Our foundation solutions withstand compressive, uplift/tension, and lateral loads with exceptional resilience.
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We offer an extensive array of rigs and specialized tools designed for challenging subsurface conditions and restricted access areas.
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Our methods may eliminate the need for utility re-routing, minimizing disruptions and costs.
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Our foundation systems mitigate quality assurance worries often linked with cast-in-place piling in unstable soils.
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We integrate seamlessly with other techniques, providing cost-effective and efficient solutions tailored to unique or intricate project needs.
Quality assurance
Universal Foundation Company completes micro piles, capable of withstanding compressive, uplift/tension, and lateral loads, typically undergoing ASTM D 1143 (compressive), ASTM D 3689 (uplift/tension), and ASTM D 3966 (lateral) tests. Capacities vary based on pile size and subsurface conditions, with compressive capacities exceeding 500 tons achievable.