Micropiles

With Chicago’s ever-increasing urban expansions it is not always possible to find good supporting soils at or close to surface grade for new construction. With this, foundation elements like Micropiles have been designed to transfer compressive loads down to a suitable load bearing stratum.

Tall and more slender structures subjected to wind loads need foundations capable of supporting compressive, uplift and lateral loads. Instead of large mass concrete foundations, Micropiles offer smaller and deeper drilled pile foundations which are a more economical and environment friendly alternative. Their simple and unique design has made micro piles very popular in the specialty foundation market.

Hollow bar Micropiles are mainly used as friction piles to take tension and or compressive loads. Typical sizes are 30mm (1-3/16”) to 73mm (2-7/8”) and typical uses include foundation underpinning, new construction, tieback and soil nailing.

Micropile Underpinning

Micropiles were originally designed for underpinning structural repair applications. Today, United Structural Systems of Chicago continues this original application through the use of a Patent Pending steel bracketing system. This unique system allows for hollow bar micro piles to be installed under buildings that are resting on unsupportive, debris laden soils. Our engineered bracketing system incorporates a full manifold lifting system for precise, even lifting of structures and equipment pads. United Structural Systems is the only contractor that is approved to use this engineer approved system in the Chicago area. For more information please contact us.

New Construction Micropiles

United Structural Systems of Chicago can also install micropiles for new construction applications. Micropiles have the ability to drill down through debris laden soils that many other types of piles cannot. These grouted pin piles create a grouted column through the toughest soils and can be imbedded into bedrock. Using relatively small drilling equipment, these piles can be installed in limited access and low overhead conditions with little to no vibration. The continuous tremie cement grout operation of installing hollow bar Micropiles guarantees 100% grout cover so no additional corrosion protect is thus required.

Micropiles and United Structural Systems can solve your toughest jobs whether it is underpinning a commercial building or as a deep foundation element under a new construction project.

Call us to learn more about Micropiles!