GroutForce Pile Breaks Capacity Record for Chance Products

By Jason W. Herron, P.E., CWI

Chance recently released GroutForce™ screw displacement pile (GDP). It is being installed and tested across North America in various soil types. At a recent installation in Vancouver, Canada, the RS6625.280 GDP configuration was installed to 48-feet with approximately 65,000 ft-lb (88128 N-m) of installation torque. Grout consumption was 105% of theoretical based on preliminary calculations.

When the grout had cured, the pile was tested to 676 kip (3007 kN) with 1” deflection in compression. The load test was stopped prior to failing the pile due to the tension reactions pulling  on the load frame. This is the highest-known load test result of a Chance product.

GroutForce™ is a patented foundation solution for loose to dense sand or soft to firm clay.  Since the grout column increases diameter and frictional bond, the shaft length may be reduced by 50% or more versus other pile types while maintaining its high ultimate compression strength.