Drilled Piers

If your building or project requires drilled piers, Coloscapes has the tools, equipment and expertise to anchor your building safely and effectively. We understand soil conditions vary greatly in the Colorado and Arizona regions, and we are equipped to provide you with the services that meet your foundation design needs.

Drilled piers are a crucial component of many construction projects, providing stability and support for a wide range of structures, including buildings, bridges, and retaining walls. Coloscapes Concrete can answer all of your questions about drilled piers, and whether or not they are necessary for your commercial build.

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What is a drilled pier?

Concrete Piles Installation

A drilled concrete pier is a type of foundation system used to support buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and other foundational structures. It’s made by digging a deep hole into the ground and filling it with reinforced concrete. How deep the pier goes and how large the hole is depends on the size and weight of the supported structure.

Drilled concrete piers are usually round and are created by drilling a hole into the ground with a drilling rig. The hole is then filled with reinforcing steel, and concrete is poured in to reach the top. Once the concrete has set, it gives the building a strong, stable base to be built on.

Does the ground type matter for drilled concrete?

Yes. Drilled piers are often used in places where the soil is difficult – which can often be the case in Colorado. This includes areas with high water tables or places where the soil is unsteady. Drilling down and reinforcing the structure gives buildings a strong and stable base that can stand up to a wide range of forces, like wind, water, and earthquakes.

Drilled piers have the advantage of being versatile in construction. They can be built in a variety of soil types, including clay, sand, and rock, and they can be laid deeper than other foundation options, allowing them to support taller or heavier structures.

Experts in Drilled Piers for Construction

The team at Coloscapes Concrete are experts at building concrete piers. We have the skills and tools to finish any job on time and on budget. Drilled piers are a flexible type of foundation that can be used in many different kinds of building projects.

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Drilled piers vs. piles: What is the difference?

Drilled piers and piles are both foundation techniques used to support structures, but they differ significantly. Coloscapes Concrete can help you determine whether drilled piers or piles are the best choice for your construction project.

Drilled piers are made by drilling a hole in the earth and filling it with concrete, whereas piles are made by driving or hammering a column of material into the ground to support the structure. Piles are often composed of steel, concrete, or wood and come in a range of shapes such as round, square, and rectangular.

Drilled piers have a benefit over piles in that they can be constructed with less noise and vibration, making them an excellent alternative for urban building sites. Drilled piers are also more versatile than piles since they may be built in a greater variety of soil types and utilized to support a wider variety of structures.

Drilled piers also have the advantage of being able to be built to a greater depth than piles, allowing them to support taller or heavier structures. Drilled piers are also more resistant to lateral loads, making them an excellent alternative for constructions in locations with significant wind or seismic activity.

Concrete Drilled Piers
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Why choose drilled piers for commercial construction?

Drilled piers are a popular concrete foundation choice for a wide range of construction projects, from small residential dwellings to huge commercial structures. They are especially useful when the soil conditions are difficult or the structure being erected is exceptionally heavy or tall. Drilled piers can also be built to handle certain loads and circumstances, making them an excellent alternative for a variety of construction projects.

Coloscapes Concrete specializes in drilled pier building and has the knowledge and equipment to execute any job on time and under budget. We collaborate with our clients to determine the best foundation choice for their individual needs, and we offer a variety of services such as site preparation, drilling, and concrete laying.

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How do drilled piers work?

Drilled piers work by transmitting a structure’s weight from the top layers of soil to deeper, more stable layers. This is done by drilling a hole in the earth and filling it with reinforced concrete, which creates a strong and sturdy foundation for the structure to be erected on.

There are various processes involved in the construction of a drilled pier. A hole is first dug into the ground with a drilling rig. The hole’s size and depth are determined by the size and weight of the building it will support. The hole is then reinforced with steel that extends from the bottom to the top. This steel adds to the pier’s strength and stability.

After the reinforcing steel has been installed, concrete is poured into the hole, filling it all the way to the top. Allowing the concrete to dry and set creates a firm, stable foundation for the structure.

Drilled piers offer a deep, sturdy foundation by harnessing the strength of reinforced concrete. The pier’s size and depth are intended to sustain the weight of the structure being erected, and reinforcing steel adds strength and stability. Drilled piers can be constructed to resist a variety of loads and circumstances, making them an adaptable foundation solution for a variety of construction projects.

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What are the types of drilled piers?

Drilled piers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be utilized in a variety of building projects, including:

Auger Cast Piles

Continuous flight auger piles are another name for auger cast piles. Auger cast piles are made by inserting a hollow stem auger into the earth and filling it with concrete as the auger is removed. The concrete is pressed into the hole, ensuring that it completely fills it and bonds with the surrounding earth.

Belled Piers

These piers have a wider diameter at the bottom than at the top. The wider diameter generates a bell-shaped base, which adds support and stability. Belled piers are typically utilized in soft soil situations, where the bigger base helps to distribute the structure's weight more equally.

Rock Socketed Piers

These piers are drilled into solid rock and serve as the structure's foundation. The diameter and depth of the hole are decided by the rock's strength and stability, and reinforcing steel and concrete are then placed in the hole as with other drilled piers.

Drilled Shafts

These are large-diameter piers with a diameter of up to 10 feet. Heavy structures, such as bridges and enormous skyscrapers, use drilled shafts. They are dug into the ground with a massive drilling rig, then filled with concrete and reinforcing steel.

What type of concrete pier or shaft is right for my construction?

The type of drilled pier used in a construction project is determined by various criteria, including the weight and size of the structure being built, the soil conditions at the site, and the project’s unique load needs. The team at Coloscapes Concrete will help you determine if your construction needs drilled piers and the type to use during design and budgeting.

Drilled Shafts

Drilled shafts, also known as drilled piers or caissons, are integral to commercial concrete construction, serving as high-capacity deep foundation systems. These shafts are crucial for transferring the weight of large structures to the underlying soil or rock, particularly in conditions where shallow foundations are insufficient. In addition to providing structural support, slope stabilization, and earth retention for walls and barriers, the construction of drilled shafts demands specific concrete characteristics such as filling ability, durability, and appropriate strength.

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Contact Coloscapes Concrete about Drilled Concrete Piers

Drilled piers are an important part of many construction projects because they provide a strong and solid foundation for buildings, bridges, and other structures. Drilled piers can help assure the long-term stability and safety of a building project by distributing the weight of a structure to deeper layers of soil.

We have the experience, expertise, and equipment needed to build high-quality drilled piers for any construction project at Coloscapes Concrete. Our experts will collaborate with you to create a foundation system that suits your individual requirements while also providing a strong and solid foundation for your construction.

Coloscapes Concrete is ready to supply you with the best quality drilled pier services whether you are building a little structure or a massive bridge. Call us today to find out how we can assist you with your next building project.