History and Evolution of Cased Micropiles
Micropiling technology has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1950s. Introduced by Dr. Fernando Lizzi and Fondedile, micropiles were initially used for underpinning historic buildings. Over time, micropiling spread to the United Kingdom in 1962 and gained popularity in Germany. In 1973, it made its way to North America, but adoption was initially slow due to different market conditions.
In the mid-1980s, micropiling started to gain traction in North America, particularly among geotechnical contractors. The advantages of micropiles, such as load transfer capabilities and versatility in different soil conditions, became recognized. Advancements in drilling techniques, equipment, and materials have further improved the efficiency and effectiveness of micropiling.
Today, ongoing research and development efforts focus on enhancing the performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of micropiling technology. Innovations in materials and drilling techniques continue to push the boundaries of load-bearing capacity and versatility that they can achieve.