Why Use Continuous Flight Augur Piles?
The type of foundation piles you use varies from project to project. This is a key decision in your planning process. You need to install piles that work in your earth and that provide the support you need.
In some cases, continuous flight auger (CFA) piles are a good all-around solution. How does this type of piling work and what are the advantages of using it?
How Does CFA Piling Work?
When you install CFA piles, you use a specialist one-piece augur to drill into the ground. This augur has a hollow core into which you load the concrete that will create the pile. To start with, the augur creates a hole for the pile. It displaces some of the earth as it works. Once you've reached your required depth, you start to pull the augur back up slowly. As it moves up, it releases concrete into the bored hole. The hole fills up as the augur leaves the space. Once the augur is removed and the concrete fills the hole, you insert reinforcing materials if you need them. For example, you might drop steel cages or cores into the concrete to make it stronger.
What Are the Benefits of Using CFA Piles?
If you use traditional boring techniques to build piling, then you have to go through several steps. You have to bore the hole and remove the borer. You might have to insert a casing before pouring concrete into the hole. You then have to add any final reinforcements. This multi-stage process takes time. You'll have to use various pieces of equipment and machines. Your time, labour and equipment costs will be higher.
CFA techniques speed up the process. You use one machine to create the piling space and to fill it. As soon as the augur finishes creating the hole, you release concrete into it. You don't have to wait for the augur to come out fully before moving on to the next stage. This is a more time-effective and economical solution. This kind of piling also works well if you need to create deeper and wider piling. CFA piles work well in weak and problem soils. They can deal with problematic groundwater conditions. Plus, this technique is quieter than other options. Unlike boring, which creates a lot of vibration, CFA tools work more smoothly.
To learn more about CFA solutions and whether they will work on your project, ask piling contractors for advice.