We deliver deep foundation construction solutions to ensure stability and efficiency in challenging soil conditions.

deep foundations installation at Channel Segment C

Forgen geotechnical construction, deep foundations installation

Channel Segment C, deep foundations by Forgen Geotechnical construction

Deep foundation technologies are essential for accommodating various compression, tension, and lateral loads in construction projects. These technologies ensure the stability and integrity of structures, especially in challenging soil conditions, by providing strong and reliable support.

At Forgen, we specialize in deploying a wide range of deep foundation technologies. Our expertise allows us to act as both a prime contractor and subcontractor, handling material supply, deep foundation application, or both. We leverage our extensive experience with diverse soil types across North America and our thorough understanding of specific project risks to ensure the best outcomes.

Our approach emphasizes early contractor involvement (ECI), where we collaborate with owners and engineers from the beginning. This early engagement allows us to evaluate intended outcomes, soil conditions, and load requirements comprehensively. By doing so, we can identify and recommend the best value alternatives that optimize both cost and schedule.

We advocate for ECI and regularly provide a range of preconstruction services, including creative material sourcing solutions, to our clients. Our commitment to early involvement helps us address potential challenges proactively, streamline decision-making, and deliver tailored solutions that effectively meet project complexities. This ensures a smooth and efficient path from concept to completion, ultimately enhancing overall project success. For more information on the benefits of early involvement, please refer to our page on alternative delivery.

Deep Foundations Capabilities

Drilled shafts, also known as drilled piers or drilled caissons, create solid, cylindrical concrete columns of varying diameters, often larger than auger cast piles. Depending on their diameter, depth, and the soil conditions, drilled shafts can carry significant lateral and axial loads. This method of deep foundation is used in a wide range of applications, including multi-story buildings, bridge piers, towers, and other large structures. The process involves drilling a hole in the ground with a rotating drill bit or auger, removing the soil entirely, placing a steel-reinforced cage, and then pouring concrete. Drilled shafts are either installed dry, using casing, or under slurry.

Displacement piles compact soil into the surrounding ground, allowing for load-bearing piles to be installed without generating significant spoil material. This method is effective in all types of compressible soils including very loose to medium-density granular sands and gravels, clays and peat and is ideal for contaminated sites where spoil disposal is costly. Displacement piles support slabs, industrial foundations, multi-story building foundations, and more. The technique uses high torque and heavy crowd force rigs to displace the soil laterally, compacting it into the surrounding ground, which improves the soil strength. After displacing the soil, concrete/grout is pumped through the hollow stem auger and a steel-reinforced cage or center bar is placed in the column.

Auger Cast Piles, also known as Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles, are deep foundation elements formed by drilling a continuous hollow-stem auger into the ground to the desired depth and pumping cementitious grout or concrete through the auger as it is withdrawn. This process creates a 12-42″ cylindrical column of grout or concrete, which serves as a structural element. These piles are ideal for medium to heavy loads and can be installed in a variety of soil types, including dense sand and gravel, soft to hard silts, and clay. They are often more economical and faster to install than drilled shafts, making them a popular choice for deep foundation projects in residential, commercial, industrial, and bridge construction.

Driven piles increase load-bearing capacity, reduce settlement, and resist forces in various soil conditions with few limitations. This method applies to a wide range of applications, including buildings, tanks, earthen embankments, bridge abutments, and retaining walls. Driven piles can be made from steel (H-pile, pipe, etc.), timber, composite, or pre-cast concrete (squares, cylinders, etc.). In each case, force and/or vibration drive the prefabricated component into the ground, producing little to no spoils.

Driven piles are a suitable alternative for sites with unique conditions and restrictions and provide a fast, economical, and flexible solution for most deep foundation needs. They do not require concrete curing, which benefits the project schedule. Depending on the type of pile selected, installation methods can include percussion driving with a vibration or impact hammer (steel piles, pre-cast concrete, timber, composite), rotary driving with a drill rig (steel screw piles), or an internal drop hammer (steel tube piles).

At Forgen, we excel in applying driven piles for various projects, leveraging advanced techniques to ensure efficient and effective installation. By utilizing the appropriate installation methods for each pile type, we provide reliable, fast, and cost-effective deep foundation solutions tailored to meet the unique conditions and requirements of each site.

Micropiles are deep foundation elements that are constructed using high-strength, steel casing and/or threaded bars, held in place through the application of cementitious grout. They are typically smaller in diameter than augercast or driven piles. These smaller diameter piles are ideal for providing significant structural support by having the reinforcing steel and/or casing resist much of the applied load.

The primary advantage of micropiles is its ability to be applied in congested and low clearance areas that the larger drill rigs cannot access. They work with minimal disturbance to existing structures and people in the area. Their application is widespread in that they are utilized for environmentally sensitive projects, resisting uplift and dynamic loading, underpinning, emergency repairs, seismic retrofitting, excavation support and slope stabilization in all types of soils.

Project Experience

Water Resources Market - Forgen Geotechnical & Heavy Civil Construction

Commercial site development preparation Forgen construction

Forgen Construction: Site Development & Preparation

Soil Remediation & Stabilization - Construction Services.

Alternative Delivery

We specialize in delivering projects through alternative contracting methods, aiming to improve quality, reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and manage risks. Our expertise in heavy civil, geotechnical construction, and environmental remediation allows us to provide innovative solutions with agility. Early stakeholder engagement ensures alignment of project goals, fostering transparency and accountability. By combining technical expertise with innovative problem-solving and strong client communication, we tailor our services to meet each project’s unique challenges, ensuring successful outcomes.

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We deliver deep foundation construction solutions to ensure stability and efficiency in challenging soil conditions.

Deep Foundations Capabilities

Project Experience

Alternative Delivery

Markets We Serve

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