Foundation in construction is an essential element of specialist foundation engineering and is used when the subsoil is not strong enough to bear the loads of a structure directly. They transfer the forces of buildings or other structures deep into the ground to ensure a safe and stable foundation.
Piles are indispensable, especially in areas with soft or yielding ground. They are used for high-rise buildings, bridges, port facilities and wind turbines. However, the foundation in construction requires precise planning and execution in order to ensure load-bearing capacity and durability.



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Types of foundation in construction
There are different types of pile foundations (foundation in construction), which are selected depending on the soil conditions and building requirements:
1. driven piles: Driven piles are driven mechanically into the ground until they reach a load-bearing layer. They are particularly suitable for sandy or muddy soils and are characterized by a high load-bearing capacity.
2. bored piles: Bored piles are constructed by drilling a cavity and then concreting it. This method is mainly used for deep foundations or in areas with densely built-up structures, as it causes less vibration.
3. displacement piles: These piles combine the advantages of driven piles and bored piles. During installation, the soil is displaced so that no excavation work is required.
4. micropiles: Micropiles are smaller piles with a diameter of 100 to 300 mm, which are particularly suitable for the post foundation of existing buildings or for narrow construction sites.
The list is not exhaustive. For example, there are also foundations made of wood or steel.
Production of pile foundations
The production of a pile takes place in several steps:
- Drilling: A cylindrical hole is created using a rotary drilling or gripper machine. The depth depends on the load-bearing capacity of the soil.
- Reinforcement: A reinforcement structure is inserted into the borehole to increase the stability of the pile.
- Concreting: The cavity is filled with concrete, usually using a pipe system to ensure that there are no gaps.
- Curing: The concrete needs a certain amount of time to harden before construction work can continue.
The pile head: connecting element for the building foundation
The pile head is a central connecting element between the piles founded deep in the ground and the components above, such as foundation slabs, abutments or base plates. Its main task is to reliably transfer the loads of the structure, both vertical and horizontal forces, into the pile system. The pile head ensures that the loads are distributed evenly so that there are no point overloads or uneven settlements. This function is crucial to ensure the stability and longevity of the entire structure.
Exposing the pile head
However, the removal of the pile head is associated with various challenges. One of the biggest risk factors is protecting the reinforcement. The exposed reinforcement bars must not be damaged or bent, as this could significantly impair the load-bearing capacity of the foundation. The risk of cracks forming in the remaining pile body also poses a considerable challenge. If excessive vibrations or improper demolition techniques are used during removal, this can lead to fine hairline cracks or even structural weaknesses that jeopardize the durability of the structure. In addition, the removal of the pile head requires a high degree of precision, as the removal work must be carried out exactly to the defined base of the structure or foundation height. Deviations of more than a few centimetres can lead to problems during further construction work.
Traditionally, the pile head is worked on using manual or hydraulic demolition methods. The use of pneumatic hammers is still widespread, but is associated with disadvantages. This method is not only labor-intensive, but also involves high levels of noise and vibration. There is also a high risk of damaging the reinforcement or weakening the concrete of the remaining pile body. Hydraulic demolition equipment such as splitting cylinders or demolition hammers offer greater efficiency, but are also not free of risks
Breaking piles with an innovative solution
In view of these requirements and challenges, the Brextor® pile head milling machine represents an innovative solution. By using Brextor®, typical problems of conventional methods are avoided. In this way, the quality requirements for foundations can be ensured.
Not only single piles, but also all types of bored pile walls (tangential, secant and over cut) are gently processed by machine. The work is carried out by one person and one machine, whereby the weather conditions have no influence here.
Brextor® offers the following advantages:
Increased construction quality
Perfect pile breaking without cracks in the pile body or spalling on the pile outer skin, no bent or torn reinforcements and a height accuracy of +/- 1cm.
💵 Reduced construction costs
The demolition material consists of 80% gravel 0-30mm and can therefore be reused directly on the construction site. In addition, Brextor® requires less working space than conventional mining methods. This means that not only expenses for transportation and disposal incl. fees are saved, but the purchase and supply of replacement material is also eliminated. Furthermore, the preparatory work eliminates the need for a separating diamand cut at the final extraction level and the cleaning effort is massively lower than with conventional extraction methods.
⏱ Shortened processing time
For example, a pile with a diameter of 1 m and a height of 1 m can be processed within 40 minutes. A daily output of up to 16 piles is possible. In addition, Brextor® provides reliable performance and therefore increased planning security.
♻️ Environmentally friendly
With Brextor®, the demolition material (80% gravel 0-30mm) can be reused directly on the construction site. Brextor® also requires less working space. This saves excavation and replacement material. By reusing the demolition material directly on the construction site and saving on excavation and replacement material, transportation can be saved. In addition, landfills are less polluted.
👷 Increased health & safety at work
No heavy physical labor is required for pile processing, which massively reduces the risk of health hazards such as HAVS syndrome. Brextor® also avoids working in danger zones.
Find out more about Brextor® here:
Contact us for more information and find out how you can benefit from this revolutionary pile breaking method.
Call us on +41 41 495 05 20 or send an e-mail to info@brc.swiss. We look forward to working with you and taking your projects to the next level.