Micropiles are small diameter (typically 12” or less) deep foundation piles. Because they can be installed with relatively small drilling equipment, they are a cost effective foundation system in low overhead conditions such as inside existing buildings or under existing bridges. Some of our equipment can travel through a standard doorway and drill under an 8 ft ceiling height. They are often used to underpin existing structures.
Another application for micropiles is for deep foundations in subsurface conditions which have natural or man-made obstructions. The drill systems developed for these smaller diameter rigs are capable of more easily penetrating cobbles and boulders than the conventional drilled or driven pile systems. In difficult subsurface conditions, micropiles can be cost effective for new structure construction. Schnabel Foundation Company has successfully tested micropiles in compression to over 1,200 kips.
In the most difficult drilling conditions, such as within landslide debris, we have drilled micropiles and used them as soldier beams in permanent tieback wall construction.
