Auger Cast Piles
Auger Cast Piles
(OP)
Gentlemen,
I have the following questions concerning Auger Cast Piles:
1) How does the spacing of the auger flights affect the installation of an ACP? For example, if a spacing of 9” is specified between flights, and a spacing of 12” is used, will the integrity of the pile be affected?
2) DFI recommends using a cork as a tip plug. I have seen the cork get pushed up the auger causing the hollow core to jam up. As a result the pump became clogged and the pile installation had to be stopped. Are there any other types of tip plugs that can be used in place of the cork? (Also, could it be possible that the grout pump is creating suction within the system and sucking the cork up the hollow-stem auger?)
Thank you in advance for any help
I have the following questions concerning Auger Cast Piles:
1) How does the spacing of the auger flights affect the installation of an ACP? For example, if a spacing of 9” is specified between flights, and a spacing of 12” is used, will the integrity of the pile be affected?
2) DFI recommends using a cork as a tip plug. I have seen the cork get pushed up the auger causing the hollow core to jam up. As a result the pump became clogged and the pile installation had to be stopped. Are there any other types of tip plugs that can be used in place of the cork? (Also, could it be possible that the grout pump is creating suction within the system and sucking the cork up the hollow-stem auger?)
Thank you in advance for any help





RE: Auger Cast Piles
As for the plug, cork (real or synthetic) is all that I've seen used. I really doubt that the pump is pulling a suction, more likely just a combination of groundwater levels, soil type and cork size. Sounds like they need a slightly larger cork or that they need to weld bead around the plug hole.
RE: Auger Cast Piles
It may have had some sort of keyway to lock it in place and keep it from spinning as the auger was digging, I don't recall.
I seem to recall they said that the manual that came with the unit recommended a sacrificial hardwood plug be used for each hole. I'm sure that would have kept some woodworker with a lathe very busy.