Pile re-use

Reducing waste and improving resource efficiency, pile re-use is an ideal sustainable solution and should be prioritised in all foundation assessments where there have been existing structures. 

We have successfully re-used and warranted piles on several projects across England and Scotland, providing solutions that are sustainable and cost-effective. Every pile is unique to its environment, installation history and current condition. We have developed robust protocols to ensure that only piles meeting exacting standards are considered for re-use.

Determining the history of a foundation is crucial in helping us to identify whether the existing piles on-site are suitable for re-use. On many projects, our role as the original piling contractor has given us a distinct advantage – access to comprehensive records detailing installation methods, pile dimensions, materials used and load-bearing capacities. These records are instrumental in evaluating whether existing piles meet the criteria for re-use, ensuring both structural integrity and long-term performance.

While having access to original documentation is ideal, we understand that it’s not always available. In these cases, our teams apply a range of investigative techniques to build a reliable foundation history. From pile integrity testing to borehole sampling, we ensure that every assessment is thorough and site-specific.

Regardless of whether as-built records exist, each pile identified for re-use is subject to a rigorous testing programme on-site. We combine non-destructive and destructive methods, tailored to the pile type and ground conditions, to verify structural integrity and performance. This includes:

• Static load testing – assessing the pile’s load-bearing capacity under controlled conditions
• Dynamic load testing – using impact or vibration to estimate pile performance
• Pile integrity testing – checking for cracks, voids or other anomalies using sonic or ultrasonic techniques
• Material sampling – verifying concrete strength and composition

Only piles that pass all criteria are approved for re-use. This meticulous process is fundamental to ensuring long-term reliability and safety.

With environmental regulations tightening and customers seeking more sustainable construction methods, the ability to repurpose existing foundations offers clear advantages. Emerging technologies such as digital record-keeping, remote sensing and AI-driven diagnostics are enhancing the reliability and scope of pile re-use, making it a more accessible and dependable option for future developments.