why is a rock socket required for drilled shaf

To provide optimal support for a drilled pier, a rock socket is inserted into solid rock or bedrock. The process begins by excavating the area to a depth ranging from one to two feet – the excavation creates a hole that allows the pier shaft to fit and be adequately supported, as well as accommodating a temporary or permanent liner when needed.

When the weight of the pier and the loads that will be put on it are far superior to the strength of the soil or material above the bedrock, rock sockets are used as a way to ensure support. This additional reinforcement also helps with piers that have an uneven base or gaps in their surface.

To determine the size and depth of a rock socket, the load requirements for the pier must be taken into consideration. For instance, a rock socket intended for carrying the weight of a highway bridge should be substantially bigger than one built to uphold a humble dwelling.

An excavation to form a rock socket necessitates the use of a specifically manufactured drill rig. This rig sports a drill bit, whose diameter matches the pier shaft. The drill bit gets affixed to lengthy drill pipe, and once placed in an opening, gets rotated downwards – thereby rapidly burrowing into the rock.

A jackhammer or hydraulic breaker is used to excavate the rocky area surrounding the socket. The rubble is then extracted from the cavity with the help of either a crane or a bucket.

After the hole for the rock socket is bored, a provisional or long-term liner can be added. A provisional liner is often comprised of timber or steel and is employed to assist the pier shaft throughout construction. A long-term liner is generally composed of concrete or cement mortar and offers structural support after construction is finished.

After being delicately inserted into its rocky bed, the pier shaft is secured with a temporary or everlasting liner. The pier shaft may be comprised of an array of materials – from concrete, to steel, and even timber.

The pier shaft, once securely embedded in bedrock, shifts the responsibility of carrying the load it was intended for onto the bedrock itself. Cable wires, guy wires, or braces are often employed to solidify the transference of this load.

The rock socket is responsible for keeping the pier shaft firmly in place and transferring the weight, plus it delivers an added layer of protection against corrosion.

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