Drilled shafts, also referred to as drilled piers, caissons or bored piles, are deep foundation elements used to support structures with large axial and lateral loads by excavating cylindrical shafts into the ground and filling them with concrete and reinforcing steel. Drilled shafts achieve their high capacities through a combination of side friction and end bearing resistance.

They typically range in diameter from 24” to 144”, can even be larger as needed, and can be installed to depths in excess of 200 feet. Utilizing a variety of installation methods, drilled shafts can be installed in any soil conditions. In stable soils, they can be drilled using the “open hole” method. If groundwater, sands, or weak soils are present, the shafts can either be cased (temporary or permanent) or filled with drilling slurry. Examples of structures utilizing drilled shafts are power transmission lines and substations, bridges, high rise buildings, cell towers, and a variety of other heavily loaded structures.

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