Micro Piles
Micro Piles are small diameter piles comprised of a central steel component
with an annular surround of grout that is in contact with the soil. They are
generally used in situations where limited space and/or headroom conditions
exist but where relatively high load carrying capacity is required. The
equipment used for the installation of Micro Piles is much smaller than
conventional piling equipment, typically being the same as is used for the
installation of ground and rock anchors.
The structural principle of Micro Piles differs from normal reinforced concrete
piles in that the load is carried wholly by the steel component of the Micro
Pile, whether that is reinforcement or steel pipe, therefore the load capacity
of the Micro Pile is determined by the structural capacity of the steel.
The
grout surrounding the steel acts to provide corrosion protection, load transfer
to the soil or rock and lateral stability to the central steel component
Piles with diameters of 100mm up to 200mm would normally be Micro Piles
and load capacities of up to and in some cases in excess of 100 tonnes can be
provided.
