What are CFA piles?
CFA piles (or auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles, as they are commonly known in the United States) are a deep-foundation element characterized by drilling a hollow-stem auger into the ground to form the pile’s diameter. Sand-cement grout or concrete is pumped into the hole as the auger is removed, eliminating the need for temporary casing or slurry. After the auger is removed, reinforcement is installed. Typically, CFA piles are grouped based on the type of equipment used to install them. CFA piles generally are available in 304.8- to 914.4-millimeter (12- to 36-inch) diameters and typically extend to depths of 18.3 to 21.3 meters (60 to 70 feet). In some cases, CFA piles have been installed to depths of more than 30.5 meters (100 feet). Drilled displacement piles also are commonly used. Why use CFA piles? Continuous flight augered piles can be installed quickly and inexpensively and are a viable foundation alternative to driven piles or drilled shafts for certain applications. CFA piles
