Why does a site need piling?

Why does a site need piling?

It’s a technique Aarsleff Ground Engineering are known for, and yet it’s still a common question we face from those outside of our industry, every single day.

Piling is not a new technique, in fact its ancient! It has origins in the 5th century BC (Google The History of Herodotus), and has since been used in the foundations for everything, from residential houses to huge industrial warehouses and off-shore wind farms.

So what is Piling?

Piling is a type of deep foundation, used to transfer the load to a deeper level than is possible with a traditional shallow foundation. Vertical columns of concrete, steel or timber, or a combination, are driven deep into the ground to give extra support to the building that sits on top. When conditions require, Aarsleff Ground Engineering can install all three on one site.

Traditionally piles were made of timber, but they’re now usually concrete, often reinforced or in-situ. The latter is the most common type of piling method currently used in the UK, but here at Aarsleff Ground Engineering we like to follow the lead of European construction and offer the alternate (the more cost-effective and sustainable alternative).

Driven Precast Piles Driven Piling Illustration

Did you know that much of mainland Europe consider precast driven piling the norm for many project types?

We’re so passionate about our driven piling solutions that in 2017 we collaborated with the University of Sheffield to co-write a technical paper titled ‘Challenging the Perception of Precast Piles’. The paper has since become highly regarded in the industry, and has been published by Ground Engineering Magazine and the Telegraph .It is also available to download for free on our website – just click here. The paper details an array of benefits that precast piling bring, with a nod to the governments favouring of offsite construction methods by 2019.

 So, why does a site need piling?

A traditional shallow foundation is enough when the ground is suitable and the load it has to support is moderate, but there are many ways for the ground to be unsuitable, so that piling is strongly advised.

  • The water table is high.
  • The soil is of a type whose stability will be affected by water.
  • Deep trench foundations from a previous building would be too expensive to remove.
  • Existing foundation trenches are unstable.
  • The ground is unsuitable for more than two metres.
  • The nature of the load requiring support.

For more information about Aarsleff Ground Engineering or to send in your enquiry, call 01636 611140 and speak to a member of our expert team today, or drop us an email 

A leading UK ground engineering specialist, focusing on multi-discipline excellence and value engineering. We design and deliver some of the UK’s largest ground engineering projects.

Our vision is to bring confidence to those constructing the landscape of tomorrow .

1947. Central Jutland, Denmark. Per Aarsleff borrowed 10,000 Danish Kroner from his father’s life insurance, bought an excavator, and founded Northern Europe’s leading contracting company.

Our biggest asset, our team is composed of the leading experts in ground engineering. Working with collaboration and cohesion at the core of our business, we can guarantee a quick and founded answer to all your questions.

We recruit and reward our people based on our ‘Step into the Blue’ company culture, where we embrace the core values of Life and Health, Trust, and Responsibility.

We do everything to ensure our team and yours work safely on our sites. With our core value of Life & Health, we see safety as a cultural pillar.

Our ISO accreditations are an assurance to you that we take governance seriously. Read our policies to discover more.

The projects that keep society running. Bridges, buildings, transit and rail facilities, embankment support, marine and offshore facilities, mines, airports, and water projects.

Keeping things turning. Sewage Treatment Works, Waste Water Treatment Works, Wind Farms and Wind Turbines, Biomass Plants, and Power stations.

Meeting society’s needs. Nursing and care homes, MOD buildings, Schools and Universities, and small or large-sized residential developments.

Staying on the move. Remediation, bridges, and foundation work are integral to keeping the industry running smoothly.

The landscape of the marketplace. Mega-retail sheds, distribution warehouses, University accommodation, and major supermarket and household name units.

Keeping things afloat. Ports and harbours, coastal defences, river embankments and inland waterways.

Technically trained estimators and a dedicated, in-house design team means we consider value-engineering at every stage of your project.

More than just a model, Visual Design & Construction is a tool to encourage collaboration and improve quality across all facets of a scheme.

From large commercial sheds to small residential plots, piling could be the foundation solution you need to support your project.

Issues around collapse, slipping or erosion? Our experts in retaining solutions have a broad portfolio of techniques designed to fix even the most nuanced of sites.

Tricky ground conditions or requirements? Aarsleff’s ground engineering team work on stabilisation through a varied range of techniques, bespoke to the properties of your site ground.

Our plant workshop offers a range of services designed to ensure your plant works for you. Whether it’s manufacturing and fabrication of equipment for long-term needs or hire so you can complete something specific.