Geotech Structural

Torque to load correlation allows for confident prediction of ultimate end bearing load. Minimal noise and NO vibration with minimal spoils removal. Piles can be installed with small portable equipment in limited access areas. Fast installation without need for piling mats. Load of building can be transferred to the pile without the need for further settlement. This can save a huge amount of time in completing remedial repairs. Buildings can be stabilised or, if required, lifted. Can be installed into cobbled soils where auger rigs would refuse. Piles are normally installed to final termination depth. No breakdown and cut-off required. GeoTech Structural Ltd (newly formed offshoot company of long established A J Building Hull Ltd) supplies and installs the A B Chance helical piling system throughout the UK. The type of pile mostly used is the patented Helical Pulldown Micropile. This pile consists of a solid galvanised steel square shaft with helical plates attached to the lead section and the shaft above the lead section encased in a grout column, the void around the shaft is formed by displacing the material around the shaft during installation. This system can have several advantages over conventional mini piling systems. The piles are installed by applying torque to the shaft, screwing the pile into the soil much the same as screwing a wood screw into a piece of wood. There is a correlation between the installation torque required and the ultimate end bearing load achieved. This correlation applies to all helical piles, but is especially true with solid square shaft piles. With tubular steel shafts, the correlation will vary, dependant on shaft diameter, type of soil and installation depth. This is due to friction between the shaft and soil. With solid square shaft (A B Chance SS series) there is minimal contact between shaft and soil during installation. This means that with SS piles, the correlation between torque and load is consistent and reliable, and as such can be used by installers to determine ...