Foundations and underpinning
with micropiles

The key features of TITAN micropiles are their very high loadbearing capacities and their minimal deformations. They can be used as deep foundations for the most diverse building types, bridges, masts, pylons and other complex structures.

Foundations in the form of groups of micropiles can transfer all types of loads and actions to the subsoil. For dynamic cyclic loads in particular, groups of such micropiles have been shown to be much more efficient than foundations with large-diameter bored piles.

TITAN micropiles

represent an approved system for temporary and permanent applications,
can be used on confined sites and where access is difficult, and
are installed with low-vibration, gentle operations using small, lightweight plant.

Building foundations

When it comes to new foundations for buildings and structures, TITAN micropiles represent an efficient, dependable alternative to traditional piling systems. Our micropile system is covered by European standards and approved in Germany for permanent applications. Self-drilling TITAN micropiles can be used in all types of soil and combined with other foundation forms, e.g. raft foundations. The system offers a series of advantages for designers, contractors and clients:

Advantages for Designers

System with National Technical Approval
Flexible application options in difficult boundary conditions
Low-settlement system
Suitable for all soil types

Advantages for Contractors

Standard installation method irrespective of type of application
Suitable for use on confined sites, too
Fast progress on site
Unaffected by changing soil conditions

Advantages for Clients

Permanent corrosion protection
Highly reliable installation method
Avoids a major intervention in existing works
Economic system

References
Building foundations with micropile TITAN

Underpinning existing structures

TITAN micropiles are installed with small, lightweight, flexible drilling equipment. When refurbishing and upgrading the foundations of historical structures in particular, systems involving little or no vibrations should be preferred in order to avoid damage to the existing structure. TITAN micropiles are frequently used to strengthen strip footings, raft foundations and even piled foundations, but also to stop ongoing settlement.

Industrial structures and factory buildings are also often in need of modernisation or retrofitting measures. This calls for appropriate upgrades to the foundations for production facilities. Challenges here, in addition to the confined working conditions, are primarily tight timetables for the work, in order to minimise disruption to production operations, plus the transfer of dynamic fluctuating and reversed machinery loads to the subsoil.

References
Underpinning existing structures

Mast & Pylon foundations

Tensile and compressive forces, shear forces and bending and torsion moments often occur simultaneously on tower-type structures, e.g. electricity pylons, telecommunications masts, wind turbines and ski-lift masts. Small groups of TITAN micropiles in a radial arrangement can easily accommodate such loads and transfer them to the subsoil via skin friction.

Masts and pylons are often erected in remote areas under difficult conditions. The TITAN micropile system enables fast installation with compact, mobile equipment without the need for complex logistics. In inner-city areas, where many buried services are encountered, the system represents a space-saving alternative to bored piles or gravity foundations. Screw-on pile head details enable easy connections to steel or reinforced concrete superstructures.

References
Mast & Pylon Foundations

Bridges

Groups of TITAN micropiles are suitable for bridge foundations where only minimum settlement is permitted. Pile groups exhibit much less settlement than, for instance, large-diameter bored piles. Our micropiles can be installed at any angle, which enables them to be aligned with the directions of the forces when designing arch bridges. This reduces unnecessary shear forces and moments substantially, which results in much more efficient bridge foundations.

Foundations to bridge piers – the advantages in detail

Better settlement behaviour (pile groups)
Smaller drilling plant needed than for large-diameter bored piles
Less complex planning and logistics
No reinforcement cages required
Less concrete

References
Bridges

Protection against uplift

When constructing concrete ground slabs for sedimentation tanks, road underpasses, deep excavations, etc. in groundwater under pressure, TITAN micropiles represent a reliable method for securing such slabs against uplift. Using the ISCHEBECK bayonet system, it is possible to drill empty holes through water and soil. Once installed, the bayonet system creates a structural connection. Piles used to resist uplift can be drilled through soil or water prior to or after excavation. This separates the construction phases and reduces the use of divers to a minimum.

TITAN micropiles initially prevent uplift of underwater concrete slabs during the construction phase, but later function as permanent foundation piles for the final structure.

The TITAN system can also be installed in groundwater areas with hydrostatic pressure conditions.

Foundations and underpinning with micropiles

Building foundations

References Building foundations with micropile TITAN

Underpinning existing structures

References Underpinning existing structures

Mast & Pylon foundations

References Mast & Pylon Foundations