Jacked piles

Speak to an expert

Jacked piles, also known as jacked piers, push piers, or resistance piers, are small-diameter steel pipes installed with hydraulic jacks to underpin existing structures. The jacks use the structure as the reaction load to advance each pile to bearing depth, helping transfer loads to deeper, more competent soil or rock.

Process

Using the existing structure as the reaction load, a hydraulic ram pushes 3- to 5-ft sections of steel casing into the ground. This method load-tests each pile during installation by monitoring the pressure and resistance required to advance the casing. That installation resistance directly correlates to pile capacity. After reaching bearing depth, the tops of the pipes are bracketed to the structure’s footing, sometimes filled with grout and rebar, and locked off to a specified percentage of the design load.

Common uses

  • Underpin existing foundations affected by settlement or increased loading
  • Increase the load-carrying capacity of existing foundation elements

Advantages

  • Suitable for low-headroom environments, including spaces with less than 5 feet of clearance and tight access
  • Installed with small, easily handled sections approximately 3 inches in diameter, with typical capacities of 15 to 30 kips (65 to 130 kN)
  • Each pier is load-tested during installation
  • Installed with a smooth, controlled hydraulic stroke; no hammering or vibration
  • Generates no drill spoils requiring handling or disposal

Quality assurance

Keller’s jacked pile installation and design experience enables custom connections to existing structures, including grade beams, pile caps, and structural slabs. This helps align the underpinning solution with site-specific access, loading, and structural requirements.

Related techniques

Deep foundations

Related solutions

Ground improvement
Releveling structures
Underpinning
Background texture image

Related projects

Residential

South Shore Apartments

Keller provides an alternative jacked-in pile solution for seismic upgrades on a California apartment complex.

View project All projects
Construction in a parking garage

Institutional

Zoo Atlanta - Grand New View

Zoo Atlanta first opened in 1889 and has undergone several renovations. Keller provided support of excavation as part of the zoo’s newest renovation, the “Grand New View”.

View project All projects
soil nail wall with excavator in front

Institutional

Michigan State University Spartan Stadium Expansion

Expansion and renovation of the historic Michigan State Spartan football stadium required foundation underpinning. Limited information about the existing foundation complicated the design of the solution.

View project All projects
Michigan State Spartan Stadium Expansion
1

Related techniques

Deep foundations

Related solutions

Ground improvement
Releveling structures
Underpinning

Work with us

Talk to one of our experts to learn how we can help on your project.

Speak to an expert