What is CFA Piling? | Process, Applications, & Benefits
Piling is a fundamental process that helps to prepare a deep foundation before building a structure or for foundational repairs. It enables the ground to bear the load of the structure without any unwanted settlement. It includes many types, with CFA piling being the most efficient and widely used type.
If you are interested in learning about CFA piling before starting your dream project, then this blog is a must-read for you. It will help you understand what CFA piling is, where it is used, its applications, specifications, and other details explained most simply!
What is CFA Piling?
CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) consists of a long hollow shaft with a helical blade around it. The shaft comes in different sizes that are chosen on the specifications of the project like the depth of the bore, length of the piles, and others.
As evident from the name, CFA piling executes both drilling and concreting in a single flight. Owing to this, It is a faster and less complex piling method as compared to others.
Introduced in the 20th century in the UK, CFA piling is a widely used piling method. It is also known as Augered Cast in Place Piles (ACIP). It has versatile applications. It is the most preferred piling option for medium to high-load-bearing buildings.
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Important Specifications
- You can get the depth ranging from 18m-32m.
- It can help you achieve a wide range of diameters, i.e., 300mm- 1500mm.
- Depending on the ground and pile diameter, it has a permissible bearing capacity of up to 3500 kN
What Is the Process of CFA Piling
The process of CFA piling involves the following steps:
- In the first step, the CFA rig is positioned at a planned pile position.
- In the second step, the hollow auger is used to drill into the ground. The hollow auger has a flap-like structure at the bottom that prevents the soil from entering the hollow stem of the auger.
- As the auger moves downwards it starts to make a cavity. The drilling continues until the desired depth is attained.
- Once the depth is reached, the auger starts pumping concrete at high pressure. In this step, two things occur simultaneously. On one side the concrete is pumped while at the same time, the auger moves upwards while taking the soil with it. This simultaneous process ensures the stability of the pile bore. During the drilling and concrete pouring phase, computerised rig telemetry is used to assist the rig operation in pile formation.
- The soil is gathered at the top of the pile hole, which is then cleared and disposed of.
- In the last step, a steel cage is placed in the freshly poured concrete to strengthen it as it sets.
Applications of CFA Piling
CFA piling is the best option in urban areas as it is an environment-friendly option. It is highly preferred for any project that requires less noise and vibration and for soils with high groundwater tables. It is a great alternative for large-diameter bored piles.
It has a wide range of applications including but not limited to:
- Bridges
- Tunnels
- Roads
- House extensions
- Industrial projects
- Multi-story building
- Large infrastructures
Benefits of CFA Piling
- It is a fast process.
- It requires less labour.
- It is a highly efficient method.
- It is used to prevent landslides.
- It provides immense structural stability.
- It produces very little noise and vibrations.
- It is highly suitable for low-budget projects.
- It ensures stable foundations in unstable soil conditions.
- It saves you from the hassle of bentonite, casing, or polymers.
- It has compatibility with almost all types of soil especially for granular and wet soil.
If you are going to start your construction project, then connect with Alpha Piling LTD to ensure a solid foundation that will last the test of time! All our services are available at market-competitive prices, including piling, mini-pilling, bearing piles, secant walls, contiguous walls, king posts, and static load-bearing test piles. We extend our services for all commercial developmental projects, domestic extensions, and basements.