Micropiles

Micropiles, also known as minipiles,  are a deep foundation element constructed using high-strength, small-diameter steel casing and/or threaded bars or simply constructed as small diameter concrete bored pile with normal steel bars.

Process

Micro piles can be installed by various means depending on ground conditions and load requirements. Most commonly, micro piles are designed so that their load bearing capacity is essentially derived from the cross section of the high yield steel reinforcement or tube. The grout or concrete cover provides the protective cover but may also be designed to contribute to the external capacity of the micro pile by virtue of skin friction.

Depending on the micro pile diameter the collapsible part of the soil is cased temporarily and the pile is bored using appropriate tools such as an auger or drill bits for granular material and down the hole (DTH) hammers for rock profiles.

Micro piles have been designed for capacities of 1000kN or more in compression or tension. 

In highly corrosive environments prefabricated high-yield steel bars are used in micro piles with single, double or triple corrosion protection with minimal grout cover to fill the borehole.

Common uses

  • Provide structural support to most structures
  • Underpin foundations
  • Enhance mass stability
  • Transfer loads

Advantages

  • Can be designed to resist compressive loads, uplift/tension, and lateral loads
  • Can be installed in restricted access and low headroom sites with minimal disruption to operations
  • May avoid re-routing of underground utilities
  • Can be combined with other techniques to meet unique or complex project requirements cost-effectively and efficiently

Quality assurance

Keller installs micro piles as per American or European standards for design and quality control requirements for execution.

Related techniques

Deep foundations

Background texture image

Related projects

Commercial and leisure

Trojena Development – Ski Village

As part of NEOM’s TROJENA development, Keller delivered specialist foundation, slope stabilization, and civil engineering works for the Ski Village, overcoming significant high-altitude construction challenges to support the creation of a world-class mountain resort destination.

View project All projects
Slope stabilisatiom works at Trojena

Infrastructure

Al Jasra Interchange – Loop Road Widening

Micro pile wall to widen road section under a bridge.

View project All projects
installation of contiguous micropile wall

Commercial and leisure

Qiddiya Project

Heavy foundation works for an entertainment megaproject to be established in Riyadh.

View project All projects
installing bored piles at qiddiya project
1

Related techniques

Deep foundations

Work with us

Talk to our experts to learn how we could help on your project.

Contact us