Micropile and Excavation Shoring

Two sites along a Provincial highway in southern British Columbia required excavation at the roadway’s edge to expose a gas pipeline 5 meters below the roadway elevation. Due to other utility conflicts, traditional soil nail shoring was not practical, and the time and budget constraints precluded the use of conventional piling or sheeting methods.

GeoStabilization’s engineers designed a reticulated micropile shoring system that could be installed rapidly at a minimal cost. Both sites were shored by GeoStabilization’s crew members in less than 12 days, keeping the project on schedule and budget.

At GeoStabilization International®, our teams offer advanced excavation shoring solutions that are cost-effective and suitable for limited-access zones. Get in touch with us to find out if our micropile shoring services are an option for your construction project.

Vertical Shoring and Shoring Wall Reinforcement

Shoring is a temporary structure that stabilizes the walls of a construction pit. Deep excavations often require shoring to retain the soil walls and surrounding structures, ensuring workers’ safety and preventing costly mishaps.

Various types of shoring exist to stabilize systems during construction. Some of these methods include:

• Hydraulic shoring: This trench shoring involves using hydraulic pistons that support an excavation by pressing against its walls or surrounding structures. This versatile and cost-effective excavation shoring method is also safe, as workers don’t need to enter the excavation site to install or remove hydraulic shoring. With this shoring method, it is possible to prevent the movement of trench faces by using the soil’s natural cohesion.
• Pneumatic shoring: Instead of hydraulic pressure, pneumatic shoring drives micropiles into the soil using air pressure. However, this type of shoring requires the ongoing use of an air compressor.
• Contiguous pile shoring: A contiguous tangent pile shoring system consists of tightly-spaced bored micropiles. This shoring method is a viable option at sites where underground utility footings are present.
  Shoring differs from trench boxes. A trench shield or box is an aluminum structure that protects workers from cave-ins while they work in excavations.

Micropiles in Construction

Micropiles are high-capacity non-displacement piles that can withstand high axial and lateral loads. Installed micropiles consist of a borehole, a steel casing or rod reinforcement, and a high-strength grout construction.

Micropiles have several long-term applications and are essential in in-situ reinforcement operations, including earth retention, slope stabilization, and structure stability enhancements.

The versatility and easy installation of a micropile make it a viable shoring alternative to conventional non-displacement piles and other trench shoring methods.

The steel reinforcement of individual micropiles provides optimal structural and support capacity with diameters under 12 inches. The result is usability on sites with narrow corridors that cannot fit conventional shoring structures.

Installing a reticulated micropile network is a relatively quick and cost-effective process. Crews can install the small piles with low noise and vibration output, with minimal disruptions to the surrounding soil or adjacent structures. A micropile shoring structure is generally the ideal solution if an excavation wall has poor soil conditions.

A micropile shoring construction might also be practical in the case of utility conflicts or other on-site issues. Our engineering team at GeoStabilization International® developed an advanced reticulated micropile shoring system. These efficient and versatile micropile networks provide optimal load distribution and stability.

Partner with a Leading Mitigation Company

At GeoStabilization International®, we have over 20 years of experience providing timely shoring solutions, including excavation shoring, at job sites across the United States, Canada, and Australasia. Call us at 855-579-0536 to learn about our geohazard mitigation services for your project.