Piling mat
Pile foundations are a type of deep foundation, principally used to transfer loads from superstructures, through weak, compressible strata or water onto stronger, more compact, less compressible and stiffer soil or rock at depth. They are formed by long, slender, columnar elements typically made from steel or reinforced concrete, or sometimes timber.
They are constructed by displacement (driven) or replacement (bored).
|
|
A piling mat is a type of working platform used for piling rigs to travel on, providing a stable base on which they can move around the site and operate.
The design of piling mats will depend on the ground conditions and the piling equipment being used, as well as the rig loadings (which typically range from 5 to over 150 tonnes). If a piling mat is too deep it will be incurring unnecessary costs, whilst if it is too shallow it may need time- and cost-inefficient repairs. A soft spot in the surface of just 1 sq. m, can be enough to unbalance a rig.
Typically, the top of a piling mat will be around 600 mm above the pile cut-off level, and it will extend beyond the outermost pile positions by at least 2 m. The edges of the mat and the ramps onto and off it should be clearly marked.
The most suitable materials for piling mats are generally well-graded natural gravels, clean-crushed concrete, crushed hard rock, and so on. As long as it has rebar and timber removed, graded recycled demolition material can also be used. Mats are rolled and compacted in layers. The mat should be free-draining to prevent any build-up of water or slurry on its surface. On sites with a high water table, a separating membrane may be positioned between the mat and the sub-grade to prevent the upward migration of fine-grained soils into the mat.
Piling mats should be inspected daily to ensure they are in proper working condition. If any excavations, trenches or holes have formed in the surface, they must be properly backfilled to ensure they are as stable as the rest of the mat.
It is mandatory that every site with an operational piling rig has a Working Platform Certificate (WPC) that states the piling mat has been correctly designed and installed. The WPC must be signed by the principal contractor and provided for the piling contractor before any piling commences on the site.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
CIAT responds to Climate Change Committee report
An urgent wake-up call for both government and the built environment.
Construction Management, 24 June
FMB pilot aims to build pipeline of site-ready tradespeople.
A quick introduction.
CLC publishes Mental Health Joint Code of Practice.
A quick introduction to its uses and risks.
Construction Management, 17 June
Government rolls out digital planning tool to all local authorities.
Your views needed - a strategy for the professions, trades and occupations.
Confronting competency, codes, capacity and costs.
The hidden risk in modern construction supply chains.
Construction Management, 10 June
24 months to 14: CITB launches accelerated apprenticeships.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Comments
Please state where, other than on the PSF website, it is mandated that a WPC to be used as verification of a piling mat. As temporary works, a working platform could be commissioned through a permit to load like any other BS 5975-managed system.