URETEK Micropile

Micropiles are installed using a hydraulic pressing system, which strengthens the soil by pressing piles into the ground beneath a structure, building or house — to a depth suitable for supporting the load above. The piles are directly connected to the building's structure and effectively carry its weight.

Micropiles support structures and new or existing foundations in locations with limited headroom and challenging access. They also have various applications, such as providing structural support, underpinning foundations to prevent soil settlement, enhancing soil and slope stability, and transferring loads to a stable soil stratum.

The causes of subsidence in structures and houses can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Insufficient pile driving or inadequate calculations during construction.
• Piles that are too shallow and fail to reach the firm soil layer.
• Damage to piles during installation.
• Additions or renovations that exceed the load capacity.
• Insufficient soil compaction to withstand the foundation's weight.

In Thailand's Central Region the predominant soil is soft clay which undergoes continuous consolidation. During heavy rainfall, the soil subsides, creating gaps between the ground and the foundation. As a result, the house may sink or develop a cavity underneath. Without timely treatment, this can cause cracks in walls, floors, and structural damage.

• Quick installation without the need for demolition and reconstruction.
• Provides support for structures that have experienced settlement issues.
• Prevents further settlement during renovation.
• Increases weight-bearing capacity.
• Vibration-free installation using a hydraulic pressing system.
• Does not create noise that disturbs neighbors or surrounding areas.
• Suitable for limited spaces; can be installed near or against building walls.
• Can be installed up to a depth of 25 meters or through hard soil layers.
• Can support weights of up to 15-20 tons per micropile.
• The depth and displacement of the structure are monitored during the piling process.

1. Make an opening of 0.5 x 0.5 meters in the soil.
2. Install pile caps that touch the beams of the building.
3. Install hydraulic presses to connect with the steel piles and press them into the hard soil layer, close to the base of the foundation or existing piles.
4. Complete the work by securing the steel piles and pouring concrete.

Once the piles have been reinforced and the weight redistributed evenly across all newly reinforced piles, the building should cease to settle or experience a reduced rate of settlement. Settlement surveys should be conducted before, during and after the remedial process to evaluate its effectiveness.

Reinforcing a settling structure can be done by adding additional micropiles to help support the load that the existing piles cannot bear. The number of micropiles depends on the analysis of the causes and characteristics of the settlement.

Calculation steps

• Calculate the load on each foundation base (Column Load), considering soil data and information about existing piles.
• Calculate the safe load-bearing capacity of the micropiles based on their type, size and depth.
• Determine the number of micropiles to add to each base, choosing positions that transfer load efficiently and are close to the edge of the foundation or existing piles.

Micropiles are strong, durable and corrosion-resistant — suitable for foundation repair, structural rehabilitation, or remodeling projects with limited space. The micropiles we use at URETEK are high quality, meet safety standards, and are engineer-certified.