Piles are quite literally the foundation elements of many buildings and structures, and understanding how to design them correctly is a bedrock skill for your future work in civil and construction engineering.
As part of the structure or building, piles transfer structural loads into deeper (and stiffer) soil or rock layers. They can also be used for the construction of retention systems, or as shear keys, to stabilise slopes.
This short course will introduce you to the fundamentals of designing and constructing a range of common pile types, including conventional bored piles, continuous flight auger (CFA) piles, driven piles, and screw piles.
You’ll also learn about some common pile verification methods that will allow you to assess the pile load capacities and shaft integrity of constructed piles.
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*1% credit card surcharge applies.
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5 February - 19 February
18 June - 2 July
15 October - 29 October
This course will run on the following dates:
5 February & 19 February 2025, 12pm – 2pm AEDT
18 June & 2 July 2025, 12:30pm – 2:30pm AEST
15 October & 29 October 2025, 12:00pm – 2pm AEDT
RSVP
Registrations close three business days before the start of each session.
We can customise this course for groups of six or more.
You choose the time, place, duration and format.
Find out how we can help you and your team by clicking on the button below to request a quote or calling us directly on +61 3 9321 1700.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the fundamental design principles for foundation piles
- Identify the key geotechnical design parameters you need to consider for robust designs
- Identify the main applications for different pile types (e.g., conventional bored piles, CFA piles, driven piles, screw piles, etc.)
- Assess key risks and opportunities in pile design and construction
- Identify which ground investigation, in-situ or laboratory testing methods are recommended for reliable pile designs
- Understand how pile installation effects may influence the pile performance.
Is this course for you?
This course is suitable as an introduction to the design and construction of piled foundations for construction professionals, and civil, geotechnical and structural engineers. It can also be used as a refresher for more experienced participants.
Roles include:
- Construction professionals (transport, power and railway engineering, residential and commercial buildings)
- Designers
- Academics
- Asset owners
- Architects.
Fundamental understanding of civil engineering principles and soil mechanics.
Topics we'll cover
- The life cycle of a typical piling project
- The major risks related to pile design and construction, and how to mitigate them
- The design principles of single piles for axial and lateral loading in accordance with AS2159
- Introduction to some common pile verification methods (including what data they provide and what limitations should be considered)
- The technical and commercial benefits/risks of different construction verification methods.
The first two-hour session will focus on the introduction of the simplified life cycle of a typical piling project, general risks related to piling and the minimum ground investigation and soil/ rock testing and assessment methods which are required for most pile designs.
The facilitator will also introduce the fundamentals of axial and lateral pile design for single piles in this first session.
The second two-hour session will be held two weeks after the first. It will focus on the construction methods of various piling methods, including conventional bored piles, CFA piles, driven piles and screw piles and will introduce a few common pile verification methods to assess pile capacities and shaft integrity.
Delivery platform - Zoom
These sessions run through Zoom. On the day of the webinar you will receive the unique Zoom link at least one hour before the webinar is scheduled to begin.
We suggest that you download the Zoom Desktop Client to ensure you can fully participate in the webinar. If you view the webinar through the Zoom web browser or via a phone or tablet device you may not be able to participate in the interactive elements such as answering polling questions.
Please read through the following information on Zoom to ensure you are prepared for the webinar:
Dr Martin Larisch is a Fellow with Engineers Australia and a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with over 25 years of international experience in the piling and ground engineering sector. He has worked in various technical and operational leadership roles for some of the largest specialist piling and ground improvement contractors and design firms in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.
Martin has significant experience in the design, construction and verification of piled foundations, retaining walls and ground improvement schemes for infrastructure, marine and building projects. He was also affiliated with The University of Queensland as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Geotechnical Engineering Centre from 2014 to 2021
