Mini Piles

About Mini Piles

Sectional Flight Auger (SFA) technology is used in low head room or very restricted job sites, where a CFA rig cannot reach. The piles are formed with the use of sectional lengths of hollow stem continuous flight auger. Typically considered for use in all unobstructed ground conditions including made up ground and ground with high water tables where there is restricted access or a low working height.

Extend into Outbound Areas

Mini Piling Systems enable home developers to create extensions to homes in tight spaces that would have otherwise been out of bounds. You can now secure projects and extend your residential developments over lands that would have otherwise been problematic. To give you a flavour of how this can be achieved, visit our case study – a challenging project on behalf of the Esh Group for a new residential area in the heart of Newcastle. The project required strategic placements of piles due to the restricted access site. As an alternative to using one of our large-sized piling rigs, we utilised a Mini Piling technique to drive SFA mini piles, otherwise known as Sectional Flight Auger piles. Alongside 154no CFA piles, Aarsleff safely installed 16no. SFA mini piles as specified. We deployed our Klemm 709 rig which was able to safely install the mini piles, with some of the piles also being used to create a bridge over an existing water main under the site.

Feel comforted that our expert Mini Piling team will design an optimal and value-engineered solution for you by using one of the many applications we can execute to solve your project challenges.

Access Restricted Zones

Limited space or restricted access to the site can pose issues, especially when a construction vehicle’s physical size, weight and height means we cannot gain access, including the delivery of large equipment and materials. Using a Mini Piling rig allows you to work within such challenging restrictions.

In 2018, Aarsleff navigated an extremely technical project on behalf of main client Leeds City Council, where the foundation works formed part of a wide-scale scheme to create the Leeds PIPES district heating network. The challenge was to operate in a 4.5m restricted height area to install 16No. bored piles. Read more about the project here. Mini Piling is also an ideal solution when working with difficult underpinning projects.

Strengthen Existing Structures

Mini piles can also be used to strengthen existing structures such as bridges, retaining walls and floor slabs.

This is an application that has been used before by Aarsleff in a contract that specified installation of micro piles to reinforce the existing railway bridge foundations in Aberystwyth. Access was extremely difficult and high tides meant that flooding to the working platforms became a real danger.

Aarsleff worked between the tides supplying extra plant and labour to enable 24 hours working, helping to complete the contract in a timely and safe manner. Using a D1000 Drop Hammer, we successfully installed 323mm diameter bottom driven steel cased micro piles.

 

More Environmentally Friendly

As Mini Piles use less concrete and steel than other piling systems, the carbon footprint is naturally reduced -not to mention the reduction of noise, vibrations and disturbance to adjacent structures during the installation.

J Tomlinson contracted Aarsleff to service a student residential development – Dagfa House in Beeston. Their buildings were split between two adjacent sites, within close proximity of each other.

Due to existing Tree Preservation Orders in place on several mature trees, the mini piling rig was selected to assure minimal disruption occurred. Apart from some localised pruning to the trees, the rig could work from the existing tarmac and on a reduced spec piling platform. Therefore, providing minimal preparation work in an environmental impact location. The vibration-free technique selected also provided minimal disturbance during the pile installation.

The requirement for sustainable solutions is becoming an increasingly important factor in construction projects around the world, as reported by Google Insights.  Here at Aarsleff, we want to take care of the environment. We are aware that our contribution to the global environmental impacts and we are committed to planning and executing all work processes with the least possible impact on the environment.

Conclusion 

Could your project benefit from our Mini Piling services?

Get a quote

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

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.