MICROPILES

Restricted Access And Limited Headroom Piling-Micropile

The term micropile is often misunderstood. At Branlow we are keen to promote a greater understanding of minipiling and micropile technology. As part of our involvement with The International Society for Micropiles (ISM) we are committed to trying to establish and maintain a common definition for a micropile. In our view micropiles can be defined as a pile of 300mm diameter or less (typically less than 150mm) with its main structural component being carried on a steel core e.g. a central reinforcing bar or a permanent structural casing.

A Micropile Is Normally A Grouted Pile

There are a number of confusing marketing terms used throughout the minipiling industry that are all essentially the same thing. A minipile called Pali Radice or Root Pile or Pin Pile are all forms of Micropile.

Micropiles can be used for foundation upgrades, refurbishment works, temporary and permanent piling applications for both tension and compression loading and are well suited to a wide variety of ground conditions. They can be installed with small piling rigs and can be raked or angled. Reticulated micropile structures can be particularly structurally and geotechnically design efficient especially when closely spaced ‘close knit’ pile groups are installed.

Micropiling is a specialism employed as technique throughout the world. Centres of excellence for micropiles include France and Scandinavia in Europe, Japan in the Far East and the USA. In these countries and others the use of micropile solutions are common.  A significant driver for research and use has been seismic retrofitting applications in earthquake zones. The work done has benefited the micropiling specialists worldwide. In the UK the technology has been slower to be adopted. Branlow Limited are experts and are keen to promote the benefits of applying these solutions to our geotechnical problems here in the United Kingdom.