Fast. Simple. SAFE.®
While we’ve already highlighted the attributes of the Ductile Iron Pile system that lead contractors and engineers alike to appreciate the Fast and Simple nature of the system, perhaps the best and most important consideration is saved for last – SAFE. Many might even argue that the tagline should be “SAFE. Fast. Simple.” because without the focus on safety, none of the other advantages amount to anything.
When compared with many other deep foundation systems, the modular DIP system installed with small-footprint construction equipment offers important safety benefits. The modular nature of the 5-meter-long pile sections allows the use of very stable medium-sized excavators equipped with percussion hammers to install piles that extend to depths of 50, 100 or even 150 ft or more depending on the project. Compare that to a large vertical mast piling rig or crane with leads that require significant focus on working platforms for rig stability and extreme care when hoisting large piling and/or drill tooling. Substantially smaller overhead materials and equipment results in a safer work area for the entire jobsite. DIPs are also a straightforward and simple operation that eliminates the need for rotating or drilling processes associated with helical piles or complicated drilled micropiles.
From an engineering and performance perspective, the SAFETY associated with the system is proven by the vast experience gained on projects throughout many parts of the world. Extensive load testing and successful performance on projects across the United States and Canada illustrates that the performance of the system is safe and reliable.
If you’d like to evaluate whether the Fast. Simple. Safe.® system can offer benefits on your project or would like more information about the system, please reach out to us today.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – MOFFITT CANCER CENTER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
A new tower addition to the Moffitt Cancer Center required a pedestrian bridge to span a busy arterial street and connect the tower to the existing clinic building. The bridge required support of 13 new foundations with loads of 1,100 kips (compression), 150 kips (tension) and 150 kips (lateral). Subsurface conditions consisted of 10 to 15 feet of loose to medium dense sand underlain by 20 to 30 feet of soft to very stiff clay followed by limestone bedrock at depths of 35 to 45 feet. Ductile Iron Piles were selected on the project to provide a safe, cost-effective, low vibration solution that could easily work around the constrained area and also address the potential for variable bedrock depths. A solution consisting of exterior grouted Series 118/7.5 Ductile Iron Piles with a 220 mm grout shoe was designed to provide an 8.5-inch grouted displacement pile to resist the design loads. The Ductile Iron Piles were designed for working loads of up to 75 kips (compression), 30 kips (tension) and 7.7 kips (lateral). An extensive load testing program performed on the site confirmed the performance of the design. EarthTech, a MENARD company, installed a total of 183 Ductile Iron Piles to depths ranging from 34 feet to 107 feet to deliver a Fast. Simple. Safe.® foundation solution. To learn more about the project, check out the full project summary.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – ARTEMAS APARTMENTS
Construction of a new 112,000 sqft, 6-story building required a foundation solution along a portion of the building to limit vibrations and transfer loads below the zone of influence of adjacent utilities. The project geotechnical engineer recommended both drilled micropiles and Ductile Iron Piles (DIPs) to extend nearly 100 feet through fill, organics and thick marine clay to terminate in glacial till and/or on rock. Offering cost savings of more than $500k and substantial schedule savings, the project team selected DIPs. Following a testing program to confirm the vibration levels and verify performance of the 90 ton (compression) capacity piles, the DIPs were approved as a safe solution to minimize risks to the adjacent utilities as well as performance for the project. The project was completed with over 110 production piles safely installed to depths of 84 to 109 feet in only 16 working days. Read more about the project including details of the successful load test to loads over 200 tons to demonstrate the safe performance of the system. To learn more about the project, check out the full project summary.
