Van Elle CFA Piling at Wood Wharf Development, London

CFA Piling

Continuous flight auger (CFA) piling is a highly versatile technique for installing foundations in a wide range of ground conditions. Fast, quiet, and virtually vibration-free, the method is ideal when working next to buildings and in environmentally sensitive areas.

What is CFA piling used for?

Continuous flight auger (CFA) piles are a quick and economical solution suitable for most ground conditions and construction projects. This method is one of the least intrusive forms of piling, which is virtually vibration free.

The ideal solution for projects in urban locations where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. CFA piles can be designed to provide vertical, lateral and tension support.

Key capabilities

  • Rig loadings: 33 – 85 tonnes
  • Pile diameter: 300 – 1,200mm
  • Maximum depth: 35m
  • Working load: Up to 8,000kN
Van Elle CFA Piling

What are the advantages of CFA Piling?

  • Fast, quiet, and virtually vibration-free
  • No need for casing, bentonite, or polymers
  • Cost-effective and versatile technique for most ground conditions
  • Production rates are higher than most other bored piling methods.
  • Less plant and equipment required on site compared to the rotary bored method

Common Uses

  • Structural foundations across all construction sectors
  • Suitable for clay, granular material, glacial till, and weaker rock stratum. Including water bearing strata.
  • Secant and contiguous piled retaining walls, and can be used in conjunction with temporary props and permanent anchors
  • Slope stabilisation and retention to prevent slips and landslides
  • Retention for deep excavations and basements close to adjacent structures
  • Working next to buildings and homes, and in environmentally sensitive areas
  • Used across infrastructure projects including tunnelling, road or bridge construction, and flood prevention
Van Elle CFA Piling

CFA piles are constructed using a continuous hollow stemmed helical auger which is rotated into the ground to the design depth. The method of installation enables piles to be formed in water bearing and granular strata without the need for temporary casings.

On reaching the founding level, high slump or flow concrete is pumped through the hollow stem, in a controlled manner, ensuring a pressure head of concrete is maintained while the auger is simultaneously extracted. As the auger is extracted, soil contained within the flights is cleared using an auger cleaner. Once the bore is filled with concrete, the pile reinforcement cage is installed into the position.

Throughout the installation process sophisticated onboard computers monitor both the boring and concreting process. The real-time system provides the operator feedback regarding auger depth, auger revolutions, drill pressure, concrete pressure, and concrete overbreak. The cloud based online data portal allows engineering teams to monitor their contracts and pile installation data from remote locations in real time.

Van Elle's CFA piling illustration
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