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Deep foundation support systems are constructed to transfer structural loads through inadequate bearing soils to stronger soils or rock at greater depths below the surface. Foundation support systems are designed and constructed with consideration of axial and lateral load support, uplift force resistance, and settlement control.

GAMBIT designs and builds foundation support systems for various applications including new foundation construction, existing foundation retrofitting, and underpinning of existing structures. We routinely employ drilled shafts, micro piles, and auger cast piles for these applications.

Bored Piles are foundation members commonly referred to as Bored Cast-In-Situ Piles and are used to transmit loads through soil strata of low bearing capacity to deeper soil or rock strata having a high bearing capacity or lateral support capacity. Drilled shafts derive their load carrying capacity through both end-bearing (in competent material) and skin friction between the embedded pile length and the surrounding soil. Drilled Shafts can also be used to resist heavy uplift forces or in poor soil conditions to resist lateral loads. Drilled shafts are formed by drilling a hole into the soil or rock, placing steel reinforcement (typically rebar cages or steel piles) and filling the hole with concrete.

Auger cast piles are slender foundation support members (typically 12-18 inches in diameter) used to transmit loads to the ground primarily through skin friction between the pile surface and the surrounding ground and occasionally end-bearing. Auger cast piles are constructed by drilling into the ground with a hollow stem continuous flight auger to a specified depth. High strength cement grout is pumped under pressure through the hollow stem as the auger is withdrawn. Steel reinforcement, if required, in the form of a rebar cage and/or high strength bar can be installed while the cement grout is still fluid or through the hollow stem auger.

Micro-piles are especially advantageous because they can be installed in access-restrictive and low overhead environments and in all soil and rock conditions. Micro-piles derive their capacity primarily through grout to soil skin friction and the capacity of the reinforcing steel member. The equipment used to install micro piles can be relatively small and thus micro piles can be installed where access may only be a few feet wide and overhead restrictions as low as 8 feet exist. Drill Tech is capable of providing cased and hollow core injection bored micro piles in difficult ground conditions.

Piles may be of steel, timber or concrete. When the piles are of concrete, they are to be precast.

They may be driven either vertically or at an angle to the vertical. Piles are driven using a Impact pile hammer. When a pile is driven into granular soil, the soil so displaced, equal to the volume of the driven pile, compacts the soil around the sides since the displaced soil particles enter the soil spaces of the adjacent mass which leads to densification of the mass. Driven piles are classified as displacement piles, and where the soil can enter during driving as small displacement piles.