Pile diameter

What is a pile diameter?

The pile diameter is a decisive feature that significantly influences the load transfer of structures. A larger bored pile diameter can significantly improve the load-bearing capacity of the foundation soil, as it offers a larger bearing surface and distributes the loads more efficiently to deeper, more stable soil layers.

The pile diameter is determined depending on the static requirements and the soil conditions. After drilling into the ground, the hole is filled with steel (steel reinforcement) and concrete (reinforced concrete).

What is the significance of the pile diameter?

The pile diameter largely determines its load-bearing capacity and area of application. Common diameters range from 300 mm to over 2000 mm. Depending on the construction project, the optimum dimensions are determined on the basis of static calculations and soil investigations.

The most important aspects in relation to the pile diameter is:

• Load-bearing capacity: A larger pile diameter increases the load-bearing capacity of the pile.

• Soil conditions: Depending on the type of soil, a specific pile diameter is required to ensure the desired stability.

• Structural requirements: Bridge foundations or high-rise buildings often require larger pile diameters than smaller buildings or temporary structures.

• Use of materials: Larger pile diameter require more concrete and reinforcement, which affects the costs.

Compression and tension piles

Depending on the static requirements, bored piles can be designed for either compressive or tensile forces.

• Pressure piles: These piles are designed to bear high vertical loads caused by the dead weight of a structure. They are often used for massive structures such as high-rise buildings, bridges or industrial plants. Larger bored pile diameters increase the load-bearing capacity.

• Tension piles: Tension piles are specially designed to absorb tensile forces caused, for example, by wind loads or structures with high vertical upward loads. They are often used for wind turbines, masts or bridges that are exposed to strong lifting forces. The bored pile diameters vary here.

Challenges when breaking piles

After piles have been installed, they often have to be cut to the desired height. Regardless of the diameter of the bored piles. This is necessary to create a level bearing surface for the subsequent construction. Capping bored piles using conventional methods can be time-consuming and cost-intensive, as it involves manual work and heavy equipment.

Brextor® offers a particularly efficient, safe and economical solution for breaking piles. With this innovative method, both individual piles and all types of bored pile wall can be machined – regardless of the weather conditions.

In the following section, you will learn more about the advantages and functionality of the Brextor® method for pile breaking.

Pile breaking with an innovative solution

Brextor® is an efficient, safe and high-quality method for breaking piles. With this method, not only single piles, but also all types of pile walls (tangent, secant or contiguous) are processed gently by machine. Bored pile diameters from approx. 450 mm to 2000 mm are processed as standard. The work is done by one person and one machine. 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

A pile diameter of e.g. 1 m and an excavation height of 1 m can be completed 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.The pile diameter is a decisive feature that significantly influences the load transfer of structures. A larger diameter can significantly improve the load-bearing capacity of the foundation soil, as it provides a larger bearing surface and distributes the loads more efficiently to deeper, more stable soil layers.

The pile diameter is determined depending on the structural requirements and the soil conditions. Once the shaft has been drilled, it is backfilled with concrete or reinforced concrete, often with reinforcement to ensure additional stability