We’re excited to launch the first in our new series of piling animations… A visual introduction to RBL’s Continuous Helical Displacement (CHD) Pile. This animation brings the technique to life, helping our valued clients better understand how CHD works by showing what happens below ground and where this solution excels.
What Is CHD Piling?
Developed in the mid-1990s, Continuous Helical Displacement (CHD) piling is a rotary displacement system that installs piles without removing spoil from the ground, making it ideal for contaminated ground. Instead, the soil is displaced laterally as the pile is formed, creating a compacted zone around the shaft. This method is ideal for sites where minimal disruption is preferable.
Key Benefits of CHD Piling
- Low Vibration & Noise: CHD is a quiet and low-impact solution, making it ideal for sensitive environments such as schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
- No Spoil Removal: Because the soil is displaced rather than excavated, there’s no need for spoil management, reducing vehicle movements and site disruption, especially useful in contaminated ground.
- Fast Installation: CHD piles can be installed quickly, helping projects stay on schedule.
- Environmentally Friendly: Fewer lorry movements and reduced waste contribute to lower carbon emissions.
- Low Carbon Concrete: RBL offers low carbon concrete for all our precast and insitu products.
CHD vs. CFA: What’s the Difference?
While both CHD and CFA piling are effective foundation solutions, CHD offers distinct advantages in terms of sustainability and efficiency.
CHD piles are installed by displacing soil rather than removing it, which means there’s minimal spoil to manage. This significantly reduces the number of lorry movements to and from site, lowering carbon emissions and minimising disruption. In contrast, CFA piling involves soil excavation, which generates spoil that must be removed and transported, increasing environmental impact.
Thanks to the helical shape of the CHD pile, the surrounding soil is displaced laterally during installation, increasing shaft friction and load-bearing capacity. This means CHD piles can often be shorter than CFA piles while still achieving the same structural performance. Shorter piles not only reduce concrete usage but also contribute to faster installation and lower overall project costs.
Also, CHD piles typically require less concrete than CFA due to their helical installation method. As a displacement system, CHD minimises overbreak by compacting the surrounding soil rather than removing it, resulting in a more efficient use of materials and reduced waste.
For projects where environmental sensitivity or efficiency are key considerations, CHD piling presents a compelling alternative to traditional CFA methods.
Watch the animation
Our new animation clearly demonstrates how CHD piling works and the benefits it offers. It’s a valuable resource for clients considering foundation solutions that balance performance with environmental sensitivity.
