Bottom Driven Steel Cased Piles

Summary and Application.

The pile consists of a thin-wall steel casing driven to a pre-determined length or rate of penetration, known as a set. Once in place, the piles are filled with concrete or grout and reinforced, creating a robust and durable foundation.

Thanks to minimal site preparation requirements and compact equipment, bottom driven piles are ideal for residential or underpinning projects—especially where access is limited. The pile-driving mechanism is housed within the pile itself, making this method particularly suitable for restricted headroom situations, such as beneath mezzanine floors or inside existing buildings.

Low noise and vibration compared to other driven pile techniques.
No spoil created during the piling process.
Small scale plant required for installation
Minimal site preparation required.
Can be installed close to walls or above ground structures.

Pile Sizes Available

We stock a range of diameters to suit your project needs:

100mm, 150mm, 168mm, 220mm, 273mm & 323mm (commonly referred to as 4” to 12” outside diameter)

Pile capacity

Smaller diameters (101mm – 168mm): Typical compressive capacities of 50kN – 150kN (SWL)
Larger diameters (up to 323mm): Up to 600kN (SWL)
Can also accommodate modest tension loads
Shear capacity increases significantly with pile diameter

Installation Process.

Steel casings are delivered in sections of 2.0m to 4.0m and driven into the ground using an internal drop weight or pneumatic hammer (for smaller sizes). A closed-ended “starter” casing is driven first, followed by open-ended sections until the desired depth or resistance is reached. The pile is then filled with concrete or grout and reinforced to complete the installation.

Where are bottom driven steel cased piles used?

Bottom driven steel cased piles are commonly used for house extensions, restricted-access sites, internal piling, underpinning schemes, mezzanine floors, commercial refurbishments and projects where low spoil and compact equipment are important.

They are especially useful where conventional piling rigs cannot easily access the working area.

Contact Us About Bottom Driven Steel Cased Piles

Use the form underneath to talk to our team today.

Reinforced Concrete and Underpinning

In addition to piling, we undertake all types of reinforced concrete works such as ground beams, floor slabs and pile caps. We can also provide costs for setting out, excavation works, piling attendances and spoil removal.

We design and install a range of underpinning systems including traditional underpinning, cantilever beams, knuckle piles and internal piled rafts.

Bottom Driven Steel Cased Piles FAQ's

Not sure whether bottom driven steel cased piles are right for your project? These answers cover common questions about restricted access, spoil, noise, pile sizes, load capacity and when this piling method may be suitable. For project-specific advice, speak to Dawson FE and we’ll recommend the right solution.

Are bottom driven steel cased piles suitable for restricted access sites?

Yes. They are commonly used where access is limited, including internal areas, tight residential plots and restricted headroom environments.

Do bottom driven piles create spoil?

No significant spoil is created during the piling process, making them useful where spoil removal is difficult or costly.

Are bottom driven piles noisy?

They are generally lower noise and lower vibration than some other driven piling techniques, although the exact impact depends on ground conditions and site constraints.

What pile sizes are available?

Dawson FE stocks 100mm, 150mm, 168mm, 220mm, 273mm and 323mm diameters.

What load can bottom driven piles carry?

The page states typical compressive capacities of 50kN–150kN for smaller diameters and up to 600kN for larger diameters.

Can Dawson FE help choose the right pile size?

Yes. The page already invites users to send site requirements so the team can recommend the right solution.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re planning a residential extension, managing a commercial retrofit, or tackling a restricted-access site, bottom driven piles could be the ideal solution.

What sets us apart

Specialist Foundation Engineering Across Scotland & the UK

At Dawson Foundation Engineering, we focus exclusively on piling and ground engineering solutions. From constrained residential sites to large commercial developments, our team delivers engineered foundation systems designed around real ground conditions — not assumptions.

Years in ground engineering

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Piles installed annually

Projects Done

How did it begin?

Oliver began his career in 2004 as a piling operative, gaining hands on experience in a variety of piling and underpinning techniques. In 2010 he attended the University of Brighton from which he graduated with a first class master’s degree in civil engineering. After graduating he joined Roger Bullivant Ltd and went on to manage both their South East and North West mini piling divisions. In 2022, Oliver became a chartered civil engineer and a registered ground engineering professional. Olivers unique development, from piling operative to chartered civil engineer, enables him to produce practical engineered solutions to the most challenging of projects.

FOUNDATION ENGINEERING