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Micropile2023-11-10T11:17:59+01:00

Project Description

An agile technique that adapts to the complexity of the project and its environment.

Foundations, reinforcements, underpinning – discover the wide range of applications of micropile technology used by Soletanche Bachy.

What is a micropile ?

Micropiles are bored piles with a diameter of less than 300mm.

Micropiles can bear both compressive and tensile loads and also be used on steep gradients (> 20° from the vertical).

The micropile is supported by a steel bar, a steel tube or an H beam, which is:

  • either sealed to the ground using a cement grout, mortar or using micro-concrete for bored micropiles.
  • or in direct contact with the ground for displacement micropiles.

What are the applications of a micropile ?

Micropiles are generally used for repairs to existing foundations and for reinforcing foundations of existing structures. Micropile driving and/or boring machines are light and compact, allowing work to be carried out within the existing structure.

Micropiles can also be used to carry out new construction work and retaining structures such as micro-Berlin-type wall.

What are the advantages of this technique ?

Applicable to foundation works, from transmission of tensile loads to angled boreholes, repairs, reinforcements or even retaining works,

Adapts to site constraints: limited height, work from a platform, near existing structures and structures in use, etc.

Adapts to constraints linked to the nature of the ground: stability, drillability, hardness, granulometry, etc.

Environmental benefits

  • Low-carbon concrete and grout, thanks to our EXEGY by Soletanche Bachy solution.
  • Electrical equipment, to reduce our fuel consumption.
  • Designs optimized by our engineering departments, enabling us to propose variants that reduce the quantities of materials used.

How to implement a micropile ?

Procédé de réalisation d'une paroi moulée à l'Hydrofraise
Procédé de réalisation d'une paroi moulée à l'Hydrofraise

Why work with Soletanche Bachy ?

A large fleet of drill rigs available for work sites, some of which are electric, allowing work in confined spaces

A large fleet of drill rigs available for work sites, some of which are electric, allowing work in confined spaces

Technical developments of the tool, developed internally to better meet the project’s needs and improve our projects’ performance (see – Did you know?)

Technical developments of the tool, developed internally to better meet the project’s needs and improve our projects’ performance (see – Did you know?)

A Design office capable of designing and building machines tailored to a site’s specific constraints: remote platform, linked to a structure, suspended from a crane, floating, etc.

A Design office capable of designing and building machines tailored to a site’s specific constraints: remote platform, linked to a structure, suspended from a crane, floating, etc.

Dedicated software developed in-house

Dedicated software developed in-house

Execution controls and monitoring

Soletanche Bachy has developed continuous and rigorous real-time monitoring of the foundation construction process to allow immediate action in the case of changes to the foundation construction conditions.

These decision-making tools assist operators in real time to correct any errors which could lead to a lower quality foundation.

Did you know ?

Ever more innovative and involved in the geotechnical community, Soletanche Bachy continues to develop proprietary tools and techniques and to participate in French and European standardisation.

 

 

In order to be always more efficient, Soletanche Bachy has developed the Hi’Drill® process, which allows boring to be carried out more quickly thanks to the combined effects of rotation and translation of a traditional head and those of resonance of a Hi’Drill® head. This process adapts to all types of ground, from the softest to the hardest. It is particularly effective in mixed formations, including through wood and reinforced concrete.

A new type of micropile, using single-stage immediate post grouting (ISU – Injection de Serrage Unitaire), is the culmination of a Soletanche Bachy project which aimed, firstly, to improve the construction quality of injected micropiles and, secondly, to increase construction efficiency. Numerous tests have been conducted and have led to the development of specific specifications, initially validated by Bureau Veritas, then assessed and validated by Ifsttar and Cerema. The ISU process has been shown to offer an identical load-bearing capacity to that of the type III and greater reliability than that of NF P94-262, the national standard for deep foundations implementing Eurocode 7. 

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