Micropiles

Ideal for restricted access, low headroom, underpinning,
and difficult ground conditions across Western Canada.

Certifications & partnerships

What Are Micropiles

Micropiles are small-diameter drilled and grouted piles reinforced with a high-strength threaded bar to transfer loads to a competent soil or rock layer. Typically, they are classified as 2.5″ to 12″ in diameter and they can extend to depths of 200 feet and achieve working loads of over 400 tons. Due to the small pile size, they can be installed with permanent steel casing to provide increased lateral capacity.

A micropile is a frictional foundation element that develops capacity through the bond between the cement grout column and the surrounding soil or rock, which provides tension, compression, and lateral resistance. The capacities vary depending on the drill diameter, reinforced casing size, and soil conditions in combination with the installation and grouting procedure. The design adhesion between the grout and soil can be increased using installation and grouting techniques.

Looking To Find Out The Cost Of Micropiles For Your Project?

Micropile Applications

01

Provide Structural Support

Micropiles transfer loads to competent soil or rock through a cement grout column reinforced with high-strength threaded bar, providing tension, compression, and lateral resistance in almost any soil type.

02 Underpin Foundations

Suited to projects such as underpinning or retrofitting where there is tight clearance or interior drilling. Their small diameter allows installation in low headroom sites by coupling shorter bar lengths together.

03

Enhance Mass Stability

Micropiles can be installed successfully when there is elevated groundwater or caving soil conditions, making them effective for stabilizing unstable ground and slopes.

04 Transfer Loads

Can bear working loads of over 400 tons in both tension and compression. Can be easily socketed into hard rock and can pass through subsurface obstructions and boulders encountered during installation.

05

Seismic Upgrading

Micropiles are used for seismic upgrading applications. Their ability to resist both tension and compression loads makes them effective for upgrading existing foundations to meet current seismic requirements.

06 Infrastructure And Transit Projects

TerraCana installed 68 micropiles at 219mm diameter on the Broadway Subway Project at the Oak VGH Station, working inside a deep excavation on one of Vancouver’s most prominent transit builds. The 20-ton Casagrande CXP-7 rig had to be craned into the excavation with multiple trades on site and tight milestones.

Advantages of Micropiles

High Load Capacity

Micropiles can bear working loads of over 400 tons in both tension and compression.

Excellent Penetration

Can be easily socketed into hard rock and can pass through subsurface obstructions and/or boulders encountered during installation.

Less Disturbance

Minimal vibration to structures in close proximity.

Suited For Sites With Difficult Or Limited Access

Useful for projects such as underpinning or retrofitting where there is tight clearance, or interior drilling.

Installation In Low Headroom Sites

Pile length can be segmentally increased by installing in shorter bar lengths that are coupled together.

Adaptable To Difficult Soil Conditions

Can be installed successfully when there is elevated groundwater or caving soil conditions.

There are significant benefits from a structural and design perspective

Need a Foundation Solution for restricted access or difficult ground conditions?

Dealing with obstructions

Every site presents different challenges. TerraCana’s field experience and in-house engineering mean we have developed practical solutions for the ground conditions that stop other contractors.

Blast Rock And Bedrock Conditions

At the Hell’s Gate Atrium in the Fraser Canyon, a rock slide compromised southbound lanes of Highway 1 and endangered visitors. Site access required a lightweight drill capable of case hole drilling for both vertical piles and tieback anchors at very complex angles. Drilling conditions were highly variable, including blast rock and bedrock. TerraCana used a modified Air-Track drill equipped with a rotary top drive motor and an external hydraulic power pack. A combination of open hole and case hole drilling was used depending on each hole’s conditions. Once drilling was complete, TerraCana completed the concrete works to support the MSE wall.

Confined Excavation On An Active Transit Project

On the Broadway Subway Project at Oak VGH Station, TerraCana’s 20-ton Casagrande CXP-7 micropile rig could not drive to the work area. It had to be craned directly into the deep excavation. A pre-production load test on a sacrificial pile was completed before full installation began. All 68 micropiles at 219mm diameter were installed to 13m depth on schedule alongside multiple subtrades in an active construction environment.

See it in action

Case studies

Ground Improvement | Micropiles

Broadway Subway Main Street Station

Micropile Anchors and Forepoling Umbrella for SkyTrain Tunnel Boring Machine Breakout

3 Month Completion

Infrastructure | Micropiles

Broadway Subway
Oak VGH Station Micropiles

Tie-Down Anchors for Vancouver's New Underground SkyTrain Station

68 Micropiles Installed

FAQ

What loads can be carried by helical screw piles?

Our screw piles can carry a wide variety of loads, from 250 to over 2500kN using 1-¼” square shaft up to and beyond 30″ diameter pipe. TerraCana optimizes our designs to suit the soil conditions and structural requirements of each site.

Micropiles

Ideal for restricted access, low headroom, underpinning, and difficult ground conditions across Western Canada.