THE HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR BREAKTHROUGH*
In the realm of construction and civil engineering, innovations are constantly emerging to address the challenges posed by various environmental factors. One challenge of this kind, frequently disregarded, pertains to the area around columns. Improper protection of these can lead to significant damages, and the golden solution to prevent this is the Heaveguard Pile Collar. In reference to NHBC inspectors, it's crucial to highlight that inadequately filled spaces around columns with the appropriate compressible material can potentially lead to irreversible damage to a building's foundation. Therefore, in this article, we will present the fundamental features of this anti-heave product, its purpose, and why it's worthwhile to implement it.
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR. WHAT IS IT?
The Heaveguard Pile Collar is an innovative low-density polystyrene product designed for filling the area around columns, ensuring a seamless connection with the Cordek Cellcore HX B product range.
After installation, it adopts a rectangular prism shape, resembling a split-head composed of two sections. It comes in a green color for easy identification on the construction site and is exceptionally lightweight, with approximately 80% of its surface being composed of air.
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR INSTALLATION
The Heaveguard pile collar, serving as a compression material, should be installed on a smooth, level, and well-compacted surface composed of sand/cement or concrete blinding. Supplied as a ready-to-install product, Heaveguard pile collar arrives in specific dimensions, matching the height of the under beam and with a diameter corresponding to that of the column.
For instance, when dealing with an under beam's void former height of 220mm, a pile collar of the same height is fitted around the column to ensure a seamless and gradual connection with the beam's core.
Installing the pile collar ensures continuous compression adaptability to changing soil conditions.
When installing the pile collar, it's crucial to match the collar opening's diameter to that of the column. This means that if the column has a diameter of 400mm, the appropriate pile collar opening should also be 400mm, or alternatively, 404mm for an easier connection of two pile collar components.
Installing the pile collar is relatively straightforward, involving placing the two components of the pile collar around the column and securely connecting them to the surrounding under beams. The surface, or more precisely, the level after pile collar installation, should be flush with the level of the adjoining under beams. The formation of thresholds larger than 10mm at the connection is not permissible.
The installation of Heaveguard pile collars significantly expedites the process of creating void formers for foundations. In certain scenarios, Heaveguard pile collars can be crafted on-site.The standard Heaveguard is employed for this purpose. This requires remarkable precision in cutting and often entails the necessity of renting a hot cutter.
Picture credit:cordek.co.uk
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR DIMENSIONS
The Heaveguard pile collar is available in standard dimensions suitable for concrete columns. The smallest dimension is 450mm x 450mm, while the largest standard size is 1200mm x 1200mm. However, customization options are also available for specific column dimensions, with production being individually consulted and priced. The standard dimensions in which Heaveguard pile collar is available include:
- 450mm x 450mm
- 450mm x 600mm
- 500mm x 500mm
- 600mm x 600mm
- 600mm x 800mm
- 700mm x 700mm
- 800mm x 800mm
- 900mm x 1200mm
- 1200mm x 1200mm
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR ADVANTAGES
The utilisation of Heaveguard pile collars offers several key advantages, including:
- Swift installation process.
- Ensured compression continuity- it maintains compression uniformity across the entirety of the foundation.
- Consistent surrounding level- it provides a consistent level around columns.
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR. WHY IS IT WORTH USING?
Using Heaveguard pile collars is designed to facilitate the installation of Cordek Cellcore panels and is indeed valuable for its capacity to maintain consistent compression throughout the entire foundation surface. Not integrating them could result in a crucial early-stage construction mistake, often causing irreversible outcomes. The lack of Heaveguard pile collars may trigger foundation cracks, subsidence, and even more concerning, misalignment of the columns. Its utilisation is fully justified, particularly due to its reasonable cost/price and the efficient installation process it offers.
HEAVEGUARD PILE COLLAR: DETERMINING THE REQUIRED HEIGHT
The appropriate height of Heaveguard pile collars is determined based on the plasticity index of the clay. For the broadest range, a height of 220mm is recommended, while the smallest dimension, 85mm, is suitable for the lowest range (LOW). The corresponding heights are detailed in the table below.
Picture credit:cordek.co.uk
CONCLUSION
In the realm of construction, where stability and longevity are paramount, innovations like the Heaveguard Pile Collar emerge as invaluable tools. This article has illuminated the profound advantages of incorporating Heaveguard pile collars into construction projects. With its capability to ensure uninterrupted compression across the entire foundation surface, the importance of this technology becomes evident. Neglecting its use could lead to irreversible consequences, causing foundation cracks, settling, and even column misalignment. However, Heaveguard pile collars offer a practical solution to these concerns.
Considering the relatively affordable price of Heaveguard pile collars and their seamless installation process, the decision to integrate them becomes a strategic investment in safeguarding the structural integrity of a building. As the construction industry continues to evolve, embracing innovative solutions like Heaveguard pile collars paves the way for more resilient, stable, and enduring structures. Ultimately, the adoption of Heaveguard pile collars is a testament to the industry's commitment to excellence and the pursuit of construction practices that stand the test of time.
Realted articles:
UNVEILING THE SUPERIORITY OF CELLCORE 225MM HX S: A SHIELD AGAINST SOIL MOVEMENT
HEAVE PROTECTION TO FOUNDATION
DON'T LET YOUR FOUNDATION FAIL.
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