High-capacity drilled foundations socketed to bedrock.
Drilled Shafts
We install drilled shafts — augered, cased, and rock-socketed — for high-capacity foundations where heavy column loads must reach competent strata or bedrock with low vibration near adjacent structures.
Cross-section
Callouts
Select a numbered part below to read what it is and what it does.
- Steel casing stabilizes the bore through caving fill and soft clay; it is withdrawn or left in place as the shaft is concreted.
- A full-length cage of longitudinal bars and spiral ties is lowered into the bore before concrete placement to carry bending and tension.
- Concrete is placed from the base up, displacing any slurry to produce a sound, continuous, high-capacity shaft.
- The shaft is socketed into argillite bedrock to develop very high end bearing and side resistance for heavy column loads or uplift.
Typical spec
Plain-language view of the same typical ranges.
- Shaft width
- 24–72 in
- Diameter of the drilled foundation.Diameter sized for axial/lateral demand; reduced socket diameter common below the casing.
- How deep it goes
- 30–100+ ft
- Typical depth to competent rock.Length set to reach socket elevation; side + base resistance develop the capacity.
- Keyed into rock
- Into argillite/bedrock
- The shaft is drilled into bedrock.Socket length from rock side-shear & end bearing; cores/probes confirm rock quality.
- How much it holds
- ≈ 200–1,000+ tons
- Designed for very heavy column loads.High allowable capacity from rock socket; design vs service loads checked, FoS applied.
How it goes in
- 01
Drill & case
The shaft is augered and temporary casing is set as needed to stabilize the bore through fill and clay.
- 02
Socket into rock
The bore is advanced into glacial till or socketed into bedrock to develop end bearing and side resistance.
- 03
Place rebar & concrete
A reinforcing cage is set and the shaft is concreted, displacing any slurry to produce a sound, continuous shaft.
Equipment on this work
Klemm KR 806-3GS
Limited-access anchor & micropile drill
Equipment shown as illustrative renderings.
Where it fits
- Heavily loaded columns and towers
- Foundations requiring rock sockets
- Low-vibration installation near neighbors
- Bridge and infrastructure foundations
Frequently asked
Related projects
Illustrative tear sheets — example case studies pending verification.
Ready to scope your foundation?
Tell us about the project and we'll put together a detailed quote within 3 days. We generally work with general contractors.