Expanded-Base Piles
Expanded-base piles are also known as Franki Piles, Pressure Injected Footings (PIF's), or Compacto Piles. They are constructed by ramming zero slump concrete with a hammer at the bottom of a cylindrical shaft created by soil displacement until a base or bulb is formed.
Advantages:
- Expanded-base piles have a high capacity in poor soils, especially where competent bearing stratum is found below a zone of weak soils.
- They have a low cost per kilonewton capacity compared to other deep foundation elements.
- Expanded-base pile operations have high productivity levels.
- They perform well in non-cohesive soils where other deep foundation methods may have constructability issues.
- They develop a tensile capacity due to the expanded base.
- The construction process compacts the soil, increasing its bearing capacity.
Applications:
- Expanded-base piles have a wide variety of applications in commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
- They are best suited in non- cohesive soils where a large bearing capacity is required.
Expanded Base Piles Projects:
- Aberdeen Station Lands
- Canada Line
- PCS Rocanville West Project
- The Link Project - Vancouver International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport A-B Connector
- Waterstone Pier
