The High-capacity Grouted Displacement Pile
vs the competition
Drivecast is a versatile and cost-effective
pile foundation system designed for sites
with limited access and other constraints.
High capacity
with a twist
Drivecast is a high-capacity grouted displacement
pile that solves a variety of construction problems
through its efficient rotational installation:
No Installation Noise
No Vibration
Minimal Spoils
Easy Mobilization
Reduced Access Limitations
No Specialized Equipment
High Load Capacities
Cost Effective
It’s all about Cost Per Kip.
Drivecast is not the cheapest pile on the market. Manufactured in the USA with high-quality American steel, it offers precision and durability. However, considering its higher capacity per foot, faster installation speed, reduced labor, easy mobilization, lack of specialized equipment, and moderate material costs, the overall Cost Per Kip of Drivecast competes with any other pile solution on the market.
Drivecast checks all the boxes…
When you add it all up, Drivecast is an advanced deep foundation system offering significant advantages over alternative piling methods. It combines numerous valuable benefits into a single modern pile technology, making it a practical and cost-effective solution for a variety of applications.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet installation | |||||||
| No vibrations | |||||||
| Minimal spoils | |||||||
| Easy mobilization | |||||||
| Usable with limited access | |||||||
| Common equipment | |||||||
| Cost-effective high capacity | |||||||
| Optional end bearing |
Shhh… quiet please!
(pile installation in progress)
Not everyone appreciates the relentless BANG…BANG…BANG of driven piles. Most people, including librarians, students, and sleeping babies, actually hate it!
Drivecast is installed by screwing silently into the ground, just like a helical pile. No banging. No noise. No angry neighbors.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet installation |
No bad vibrations.
Bad things happen when sensitive structures like hospitals, manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, and rail lines are exposed to excessive underground vibrations from driven and vibratory piles.
The smooth rotational installation of Drivecast eliminates underground vibrations completely.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vibrations |
Nothing spoils a good site like… Spoils.
On many jobs, spoils from drilled piles are a major
headache and added expense. Environmentally sensitive sites face heavy regulations, and dense urban areas make hauling away excess material a hassle, while contaminated soils need special dump sites.
Drivecast is a displacement pile that compacts soil outward instead of digging it up. Nothing extra to spoil the fun.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimal spoils |
Mobilization on demand.
Some jobs are in the middle of nowhere, and some are in busiest part of downtown. In either case, mobilizing enormous pile installation rigs is a pain in the you-know-what.
To install Drivecast, all you need is a drive head on just about any size excavator and a grout plant. Everything fits neatly on a mid-size flatbed trailer. No “Wide Load” escorts required.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy mobilization |
Limited access is a problem of the past.
On job sites with limited space, access constraints tend to dictate viable solutions. Tight spaces between buildings hinder maneuverability of large piling equipment, while underground utilities, infrastructure, bridges, and underpinning projects with low overhead clearance, eliminating most practical pile solutions. Helical piles offer a small footprint but have limited capacities.
Drivecast combines the compact installation of helical piles with
significantly more load-bearing capacity.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usable with limited access |
Installed with equipment you already own.
Micropile rigs and pile drivers are extremely expensive machines and only serve one function.
Drivecast can be installed using the same equipment you already use for helicals: a quality drive head on a small-to-mid-size excavator. Add
some grout, and you’re good to go!
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common equipment |
High capacity with cost efficiency.
Unlike common deep foundations, Drivecast reduces installation time, requires smaller crews, needs no specialized equipment, eliminates spoils removal, and minimizes disruption to traffic and infrastructure.
The best part? Not only do specifications for Drivecast piles tend to be shorter, requiring less material, but the cost per foot is comparable to a similar size helical pile, with multiple times the capacity. All of these factors can result in substantial cost savings for a project.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-effective high capacity |
End bearing optional.
Driven piles must reach bedrock for maximum load-bearing capacity. The Drivecast grouted pile achieves capacity through a combination of end bearing and friction. End bearing in a Drivecast pile functions similarly to helicals and can be calculated the same way. The friction comes from the grout-to-soil bond, providing reliable capacity in almost any soil condition.
How do other piles stack up?
| Timber | Ductile Iron | H-Piles | Micropiles | Augercast | Helical | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional end bearing |
Easy Installation
- Drivecast is installed with a standard torque drive head by rotating into the ground, similar to a helical pile.
- The lead assembly displaces soil outward, creating an empty column in its path.
- DCX extensions are bolted to the Drivecast lead which continue rotating until the required depth.
- Grout is gravity-fed from the beginning to the end of the installation process, ensuring proper bonding along the entire length of the pile.
- QC/QA can be ensured by continuously monitoring torque and
grout-take throughout installation.
Watch the Drivecast Installation Animation
Schedule a no-obligation consultation to see if Drivecast is a good fit for your company!
Let’s Talk.
If the Drivecast grouted displacement pile sounds interesting, we’d love to chat! We can answer any questions you have about the product and show you how Drivecast can expand your service offerings.
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