Piling is now one of the most common construction techniques, but have you ever wondered where it originates from? Well, at Rhino Piling we are going to give you a peek into the history of construction piling.
After researching, studies have shown that piling techniques date back to the 4th Century BC. The history of using piles in construction work began with people using piles for constructing foundations on weak soil surfaces near rivers.
As time has progressed, Piling has accumulated a number of different achievements. Swiss dwellers utilised a piling technique when lake dwellers, who lived around 6,000 years ago, built structures on piled foundations to ward off potential invaders.
Ancient Pilings
There is a lot of evidence of piling existing in structures all over the world, testifying to the skills of ancient builders and engineers.
We have gathered some facts about ancient pilings. These include:
- Greek and Roman engineers throughout this time used piles in the construction of most shore works.
- In Britain, a Roman bridge stretching across the Tyne at Corbridge was built by using a piling support structure.
- Another bridge across the Thames, in 60AD, was constructed using timber piles that were driven into the river bed.
- Romans can be credited as the forerunners of modern-day piling methods, as the cities of Ravenna and Venice are some of the oldest examples of their use of piling with some still standing today. This proves the durability provided when this technique is applied.
Refusal Piling
Studies show that early records of piling were formed by using timber branches and were trimmed down with a smaller diameter at the bottom. Afterwards they were driven into the soil until penetration stopped. This condition, also referred to as refusal, was a combination of the soil strata and the limits of the driving mechanism.
The driving was theorised to have been completed through the following:
- Hand operated mauls
- Treadmill drivers
- Water wheel drivers
- Gang operated rams
Although the equipment may have changed, the trusted technique remains the same.
If you’re looking for a reliable piling company in Manchester, then please visit our website today.
