The process of drilling holes for a pile foundation is usually done with a foundation drill rig and casing. Here are some top tips for ensuring that a project involving this heavy construction equipment goes smoothly.
Always check the condition of the casing before using it to support the drilled holes
When a large, deep hole is made in the ground with a foundation drill, some casing (i.e. a hollow cylindrical object) is inserted into this opening. This helps to stop the hole's walls from losing their shape or caving in before the rebar or concrete is placed inside of it. It is vitally important for those involved in foundation drilling work to check the condition of the casing before inserting it into a drilled hole. They should, for example, ensure that the casing is not cracked and does not have any holes in it. If the construction workers don't do this, disaster could strike.
For instance, if the workers pour concrete into a hole that is supported by cracked casing, the pressure the concrete puts on this damaged casing could cause it to split in two, in which case the hole's walls might cave in and the concrete could mix with the soil and form solid clumps that could be very hard for these labourers to remove. If this happens, the construction workers might have to break up these clumps with a jackhammer, after which the driver of the foundation drill rig would then have to make a hole in the same spot a second time. This could set back the construction project quite a bit. As such, the workers must check that the casing is undamaged before using it for any foundational drilling work.
Keep a hammer, chisel and a sweeping brush on hand to de-clog the rig's earth auger
Those who will be supervising the operation of the foundation drill rig from the ground should also keep a sweeping brush, a hammer and a chisel on hand. The reason for this is as follows; the equipment's earth auger (i.e. the corkscrew-like component which is attached to the rig and which tunnels into the soil) may occasionally get clogged up with rocks and clumped dirt. When this happens, it may take longer for the auger to burrow through the soil and to widen the holes that it makes.
To ensure that this issue doesn't cause delays, those standing beside the foundation drill rig should call out to the operator and tell them to turn off the rig if they notice that the auger looks clogged. When the operator has switched their equipment off, these workers should then use the brush to remove relatively loose pieces of soil and their hammer and chisel to get rid of any clumps comprised of rocks and other solid materials.
For more tips on using foundation drilling equipment, reach out to a heavy equipment supplier near you.
Share25 June 2020
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