AUGERCAST (CFA) PILES

Beginning as a driven piling company in 1955, Nicholson has continuously looked to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for deep foundation systems. 

One such solution is the use of Augercast Piles or Continuous Flight Augured (CFA) piles. Augercast piles are formed by drilling into the ground with a hollow stemmed continuous flight auger to the required depth or degree of resistance.  A high slump concrete mix is then pumped down the stem of the auger under constant pressure while the auger is slowly withdrawn leaving a shaft of fluid concrete to ground level.  Dependent on reinforcement requirements, steel can be cast in place with the pile, installed later by hand for shorter smaller capacities, or a cage is installed mechanically for longer and/or higher capacity piles. 

It is important to maintain proper quality control when installing augercast piles in order to avoid discontinuous concrete diameters over the length of the pile.  Nicholson uses an electronic data recording system on all augercast pile projects to confirm drilling and grouting parameters during installation, thus confirming the piling profile.    

Augercast piles are not generally suited for use in contaminated soils due to expensive waste disposal.  Augercast may not be economically feasible in ground containing obstructions or cobbles and boulders due to lack of penetration.  These conditions can be overcome with the use of micropiles. 

For more information on Nicholson augercast piles or any other specialty techniques, please call 412-221-4500 or contact us today.



Paradisus Resort, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Nicholson installed 793 augercast piles at the Paradisus luxury resort.

THE FACTS

Common Uses of Augercast (CFA) Piles

  •     Deep foundations for new structures in soils
  •     Can be used in some low headroom applications for additions to existing structures
  •     For retaining walls to create a continuous facing prior to excavation


Benefits of Augercast (CFA) Piles

  •     Cost effective alternative to other deep foundation systems
  •     Minimal disturbance and vibrations
  •     Suited for low noise and/or environmentally sensitive areas