PILING

Mincon Spiral Flush system sets industry records for pile drilling

Geotechnical drilling is always a complicated and challenging endeavour, but it becomes even more so when it needs to be done in tough conditions and under a tight schedule.

 Mincon’s Spiral Flush system has set industry records in North America for pile drilling

Mincon’s Spiral Flush system has set industry records in North America for pile drilling

Mincon is proud to have recently been chosen as a supplier for just such a project, where it was once again able to showcase why it is ‘The Driller's Choice'.

During this project, several world records for casing advancement systems drilling were set. These records include the biggest piles drilled with a drill-through system and the outright largest pile drilled with a single down-the-hole (DTH) hammer.

Partnering with Mincon allowed the contractor to benefit from the company's patented Spiral Flush technology. Thanks to its proprietary design, Spiral Flush systems prevent compressed air from being discharged into the ground, thus protecting the surroundings from over-drilling and damage. This approach makes it possible to safely drill larger and deeper piles.

The project required the installation of both piles as well as an interconnected pipe-pile wall. The rock to be drilled was some of the hardest in North America, with the piles eventually embedded several feet into the rock.

To accomplish its goals, the contractor selected Mincon's MP340 hammer, 48in Dt system, and 60in DT system for the piles, and for the pipe pile wall used Mincons' MP240 hammer and 36in M-Wall system.

The work was completed in challenging conditions under a tight timeline that required drilling on a continuous schedule, which meant that parts and tools had to be readily available.

In all, over 550 piles were drilled, with lengths ranging from 30 to 210ft (9 to 64m).

Mincon's Site Support Team worked closely with the contractor's staff during the drilling process to help them get the most out of their equipment and ensure that they had the parts they needed to maintain the continuous drilling pace.

The team maintained a large inventory of spare parts on-site and worked with the manufacturing team to keep new parts coming as needed. This requirement led Mincon to further refine its manufacturing and logistics abilities.

First, a significant inventory of parts needed to be built up before the start of the project. Second, its factory and supply chain were both adjusted to better support on-demand manufacturing and rapid delivery. The engineering and manufacturing advances made as part of this project will benefit all of Mincon's partners in the future.

David Delorme, geotechnical product director - Americas, Mincon, said: "This project was an excellent showcase for our Spiral Flush technology in a geologically challenging environment, complemented by our expertise in large-diameter drilling.

"The contractor was extremely happy with Mincon's collaboration model and we are proud to have been chosen as the drilling solutions supplier for this project. We congratulate the contractor on its successful completion of this amazing project and look forward to partnering again in the future."

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