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Building Foundation Investigation CT

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Since 1958, Soil Testing has been performing subsurface investigations, test borings and foundation repairs. Our experienced drilling contractors gather subsurface information to construct and design foundation and find a solution to your foundation problems. We install test borings and piles to repair and provide foundation settlement.

Many of our projects include underground construction for building foundation investigation in CT. We conduct foundation settlement using underpinning methods to settle foundation. Our work includes areas from residential and commercial to industrial structures. We are able to use new technology to go through weak soil to get the ideal foundation.

Helical piles are what we use for added support to new or already existing foundations. They are installed deep into the foundation, and require a low to moderate pile capacity. They are commonly used for anchors and tiebacks, and the piles are made from steel. There are no vibrations that are generated from helical piles, so they are a quieter option. Another benefit to them is that they can have a minimum of 6 feet of space above the pile when installed. Helical piles are more cost effective than micropiles.

Micropiles are high capacity but smaller than helical piles, and are used to support new and old foundations. They are made from steel, grout or threaded bar, and when installed create friction between the rock. They can be installed with a minimum of 8 feet of space above the pile, however they generate vibrations underground. Although the vibrations created are minimal, they are still louder than the helical piles.

Before you dig, a soil testing evaluation should be done by a licensed professional. The soil investigation engineers are in charge of drilling a 4” to 6” pipe into the soil, and taking a sample. That sample will be sent out to a lab to understand your soil’s property and capacities at every level. With this knowledge, our engineers will be able to determine how deep the soil should be for the foundation, where the strong soil is on the property, the type of foundation to be used, and the size of the specialized foundation. Each foundation is unique to each of our customers, which is why we need invasive technology. So contact us today to request a quote for your future foundation project. We are able to use new technology to achieve the ideal foundation that you desire.

What is Construction Piling?

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What are Piles?

Piles provide the support a structure needs, through wood, steel, concrete or timber. The definition of a pile would be a long structure, in the shape of a cylinder, from sturdy material like concrete, that go beneath the ground in order to put structures on top of it.

What are Pile Foundations?

Pile foundations have piles that connect to the pile cap, to hold more loads than one pile can carry. The pile cap is a concrete block that connect to the heads of the piles. This makes a typical load much easier to carry.

When are Pile Foundations Used?

A pile foundation is used when the soil at the surface is weak. This weak top layer of soil will not be able to support a building, so the building loads go through the layer to a strong, solid rock or soil layer. When there are heavy loads from a building – especially in a high rise building, water tank, or bridge – a pile foundation will be used.


How Piles Are Put Into the Ground

Piles are driven or hammered by a pile driver into the soil. The pile is held vertical by the pile driver, and goes deeper into the ground by a heavy weight dropped on the pile. The pile is like a crane, where it will lift the pile at a horizontal position at the ground level, and switches it to a vertical position, where the pile is driven into the ground. The pile cannot be hammered or driven into the ground past the point that the ground is tough, and will not allow further depth into the soil.

Special Piles We Use

Some of the special piles we use for construction piling in CT are micro piles of helical piles, which do not use the hammering method. This prevents a lot of noise or vibrations that could cause damage to buildings. Micro piles are dug into the ground whereas helical piles are drilled, rotated and pushed into the ground. If you are in need of any construction piling, contact us today!