All about leader drilling

In the permafrost zone, in seismic regions, on complex soils, the foundation of structures is strengthened with piles. For this, a method of drilling leader wells for piles is used, which allows the building to withstand certain conditions.

In this article, we will tell you in detail about what it is, why leader drilling is needed, which ones highlight the advantages and disadvantages of this method, and also what is the technology for carrying out these works. Indeed, without competent preparation of all stages, one should not take up this type of seething: it is fraught with serious consequences.

Leader drilling is necessary to ensure strict verticality, where each core in the foundation will be clearly vertical. On hard ground, this is not easy to achieve, so the drilling rig is simply a must-have equipment for builders. With its help, a leader well is drilled, creating a kind of vessel, where the finished reinforced concrete pile is mounted. The pile is immersed in the well in three ways:

• the support is pressed into the well;
• clog;
• or vibration immersion is used.

The drilling diameter will depend on how it is planned to install a reinforced concrete support in the well. For example, when driving or pressing in a rod, the diameter of the hole is made 5 centimeters less than the diameter of the pile itself. This is necessary in order to achieve a snug fit. With the vibration installation method, the difference is minimized to 1-2 centimeters. Leader drilling requires special permits.

This technology has a number of advantages, but there are also disadvantages that you need to be aware of in order to make the right decisions on work. The main advantage of leader drilling is that it is applicable even in the most dense soils. This allows construction work to be carried out in the north, in winter in severe frosts and on the most difficult surfaces, of course, observing the technology and all construction rules. This method allows you to drill any desired depth to install the pile.

The leading well will provide an ideal vertical position of the reinforced concrete rod, which is very important during construction work, so that there are no deviations. It is possible to install piles into the leader holes even at a small distance from adjacent buildings - and this is another advantage of this method. Leader drilling does not affect the foundations of adjacent structures. In addition, this technology significantly saves time and physical effort. The only drawback of such works is their high cost, since this is accompanied by additional financial costs for ordering special equipment and geodetic surveys.

It is on the basis of geodetic studies that the chief designer must draw up a project for the production of work, agree on it in the appropriate authorities, and only in this case, observing all the requirements of SNiP, start work. The cost of such work is influenced by the depth of drilling: 1 running meter can cost several hundred rubles. It is difficult to determine the price in advance, since it depends on the type of soil and the volumes to be performed. It should be borne in mind that the delivery of equipment is also associated with financial costs and depends on the distance to the object. As a result, these works can cost up to several tens of thousands of rubles.But you can't do without them in some cases.

The disadvantages include numerous approvals for obtaining permission for these works, as well as the fact that leader drilling is carried out only by specialists. But these shortcomings (if you can call them that) completely cover the positive aspects that the result of this method of installing reinforced concrete piles gives. And the fact that leader drilling is carried out practically without excavation, and this can be done even in a limited area, makes this method very popular in modern construction.

Such drilling for piles is often used for the construction of a foundation in the following cases.

• When the geological survey of the soil has revealed its dense base, and percussion laying is simply not applicable in such conditions. In this case, lead drilling is performed for piles.
• When there is a risk that the impact method may cause destruction of the nearby structure or it may deform. Leader drilling is a more gentle option for neighboring buildings when installing reinforced concrete piles in the foundation.
• When construction is to be carried out on perpetually frozen soil. Such land is quite dense, therefore, only leader drilling is recommended; with another method, the pile can be damaged.
• The same goes for rocky terrain. Rock is impenetrable for other techniques, therefore, only leader holes are made in such soil. Without preliminary drilling, the pile will not penetrate into such soil.
• Drilling of wells is also required in the case when the reinforced concrete pile needs to be installed at a great depth.
• The directional function of drilling is also used when laying a foundation on dispersed soil with a minimum density. In soft ground conditions, there is a risk that the structure will not be stable with normal clogging, so drilling is mandatory here.
• Such drilling is carried out under a screw pile.

Also, this method is applicable when erecting foundations near other houses where people live. As a result of such works, the noise level of such works does not cause discomfort for the residents. Thus, leader drilling is quietly used in densely populated areas. Leading drilling is relevant not only in the construction of building foundations, it is suitable for the creation of various fences, as well as in places where pipelines are laid where there are no trenches.

There are several stages in the preparation and conduct of such work.

• Site preparation, site clearance and marking of points to be drilled. In order to put a pile foundation, you do not need to carefully level the area, the main thing is to clear the area of ​​debris so that the equipment can work freely.
• Drilling locations marking. It is made with a laser or conventional level. They also measure with a tape measure, other improvised means, but this will take much longer. If you don't write down the data and mark the places, you can quickly get confused. Hammer in the pegs at the site of the future holes: mark the drilling sites in this way.
• Now agree with the relevant authorities on the project for the implementation of all points of the plan for drilling leader wells, which is drawn up in accordance with the requirements of SNiP. Improvisation is unacceptable here, any deviation from the norms can lead to an accident and an emergency at work, and this is already a reason for proceedings in court.
• Delivery and installation of special equipment. It is mounted at designated points. At this stage, a mandatory check of technique and verticality is carried out.
• Drilling wells using special pits and installing reinforced concrete piles in the leader holes.
• At the end of the work, an examination of all installed piles is made and the work is handed over to a technical supervision specialist.

Well drilling can be carried out without stopping, which will significantly save the time of the work, and the quality of this method is much better. It depends on whether the augers are used - continuous or composite design. Leader drilling is increasingly being used in modern construction, even on normal ground. All the work is quickly done with special equipment, and an excellent result is obtained in terms of quality.