Pile & Pier Installation Inspections

Atlas Engineering and Technology Group (AETG) understand that pile and pier installation inspections are critical to ensuring the structural integrity and safety of structures support systems that rely on deep foundations. These inspections are necessary to confirm that the installation meets design specifications, local regulations, and industry standards. Piles and piers are typically used when shallow foundations are not feasible due to weak or unstable soil conditions, requiring deep foundations to transfer the load of a structure to deeper, more stable soil or bedrock layers.

How AETG Can Help Your Project

  1. Verify Compliance with Design and Specifications: Ensure that the pile or pier installation is carried out as per the approved design, including location, size, depth, and material requirements.

  2. Ensure Proper Installation Techniques: Confirm that proper installation methods are used to prevent damage to piles/pier, as well as ensure load-bearing capacity and stability of the foundation.

  3. Prevent Foundation Failure: Ensure the piles/pier are installed in such a way that they will safely transfer the loads of the structure to the deeper soil layers without the risk of settlement or failure.

  4. Monitor Construction Quality: Inspect materials, workmanship, and construction methods to ensure the piles and piers meet the quality standards for the project.

  5. Ensure Safety: Monitor for adherence to health and safety regulations during pile and pier installation to protect workers from risks associated with the heavy machinery and deep excavations.

Types of Piles & Piers AETG Can Provide Services For

  • End-Bearing Piles: These piles transfer the load through the shaft directly to a layer of soil or bedrock at the bottom of the pile. They primarily rely on the bearing capacity of the material at the tip of the pile.
  • Friction Piles: These piles transfer loads through the frictional resistance along the length of the pile shaft as it is embedded into the surrounding soil. The soil along the length of the pile resists the downward force through shear friction.
  • Combination Piles (End-Bearing and Friction): A combination pile uses both the end-bearing capacity at the tip and the frictional resistance along the sides of the pile to resist loads.
  • Bored Piles (Drilled Shafts): Bored piles are created by drilling a hole into the ground and then filling it with concrete. These piles are used for very deep foundations and can be used to create both end-bearing and friction piles.
  • Driven Piles: Driven piles are pre-fabricated piles (made of concrete, steel, or timber) that are driven into the ground using a pile driver. This method is commonly used for both end-bearing and friction piles.
  • Screw Piles (Helical Piles): Screw piles are steel piles with helical plates (like a screw) that are mechanically screwed into the ground. These piles are used for both residential and commercial foundations.
  • Concrete Piles: Concrete piles can be either precast or cast-in-place and are often used in projects where heavy load-bearing capacity is needed.
  • Bored Piers (Drilled Shafts): Similar to bored piles, these are vertical shafts drilled into the ground and filled with concrete. Piers are often used in bridge and large structure foundations, where deep support is necessary.
  • Caisson Piers: Caisson piers are large, watertight structures that are sunk to a predetermined depth in the soil. The caisson is typically drilled into the earth, and once in place, it is filled with concrete to form a permanent foundation.
  • Pile Piers (Pile-Supported Piers): A hybrid of piles and piers, these use piles to support a pier cap, which then transfers the load to the pile group. This is often used in areas with difficult soil conditions, where a traditional pier might not provide adequate support.
  • Pier and Beam Foundations: These foundations consist of vertical piers (which may be concrete or masonry) that support horizontal beams. The beams then support the weight of the structure above.
  • Concrete or Masonry Piers: Simple vertical columns made of concrete or masonry that provide vertical support to a structure. These piers are often used in less challenging soil conditions or where the load demands are not very high.
  • Helical Piers: Similar to helical piles, helical piers are screw-like structures that are installed into the ground to provide deep foundation support. These are used for both load-bearing and stabilization purposes.

Benefits of Choosing AETG for Pile & Pier Inspections

Pile and pier installation inspections are critical for ensuring that deep foundations are installed correctly to provide the required stability for the structure. These inspections verify that installation procedures are followed accurately, materials conform to design specifications, and the required load-bearing capacity is achieved in accordance with Australian Standards (AS2159). By closely monitoring the installation of piles and piers, inspectors help ensure the safety of the construction process, prevent potential structural failures, and guarantee the long-term stability and durability of the foundation system. Proper documentation, testing, and adherence to safety protocols during the installation phase are essential to the overall success of the project.

Successfully Completed Jobs by AETG to Date

✔ Proposed Residential Development, Wingrove Avenue, Epping NSW

AETG conducted a pile inspection for a proposed residential development at Wingrove Avenue, Epping NSW, on behalf of Betta Homes and Constructions. The inspection involved verifying that bored piles—intended to transfer structural loads into underlying shale bedrock—met the design specifications outlined by YP Engineering. Of the 131 total piles, 19 were inspected on-site over two days. The piles were drilled to depths ranging from 0.5 m to 2.4 m below ground level, with founding conditions generally comprising natural silty clay and underlying Ashfield Shale. Most piles were successfully founded into shale bedrock, meeting the required 600 kPa allowable bearing capacity, except for a few where auger refusal or external issues (e.g., water ingress) affected depth or progress. All compliant pile bases were cleaned prior to concrete placement. The inspection concluded that the inspected piles satisfied the specified geotechnical design requirements, though some piles remained incomplete at the time of reporting.

✔ Proposed Gables Town Centre Development, Fortuna Drive, Gables NSW (11263-7)

AETG conducted a geotechnical investigation for Attcall Civil Contractors Pty Ltd as part of the Gables Town Centre Stage 2 development in Gables, NSW. The investigation aimed to determine the appropriate site classification in accordance with AS2870 and assess the in-situ materials ability to support the proposed pile layout as part of the foundation system. The proposed slab-on-ground will be constructed within the internal boundary of the site, located in the Hills Shire City Council area. The site spans approximately 3,642.65 m² and features a minor gradient from west to east. Fieldwork including subsurface investigations at four locations, and Atterberg Limits (PI) testing on collected soil samples. In addition, four Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests were performed to assess the shallow soil’s Allowable Bearing Pressure (ABP).

Based on the findings, an ABP of 100 kPa is achievable within the shallow residual profile. However, a site-specific ABP assessment by a qualified geotechnical engineer is recommended prior to footing excavation. It is also advised that no footings be founded on fill, buried floaters, or boulders, and that the foundation strata be inspected by a geotechnical engineer before concrete is poured into the footings.