Rotary Bored Piling in London – Deep and Reliable Foundation Solutions
At KHB Piling LTD, we specialise in
rotary bored piling services across London and the South East, providing robust,
low-vibration deep foundations for both commercial and residential construction.
Rotary bored piling – also called rotary bored auger piling (RBP) – is one of the most
advanced techniques for installing deep foundations in variable or challenging ground. It allows us to drill
through clay, gravel, chalk, or rock while maintaining full control over diameter, depth, and alignment.
Our rigs can form piles from 450 mm up to 2,500 mm diameter, reaching depths of over 30 m where required.
This makes rotary bored piling ideal for infrastructure, high-rise buildings, basements, bridges, and any
structure that demands high load capacity and long-term stability.
- Deep capacity – handles loads up to several thousand kN per pile.
- Works in almost all ground types – including cohesive clay, sand, gravel, chalk and rock.
- Minimal vibration and noise – essential for dense residential or historic areas.
- Precise verticality and alignment – critical for tall or sensitive structures.
- Integration with basement walls – can create retaining walls or combine with capping beams.
Last updated: 2026
What Is Rotary Bored Piling?
Rotary bored piling is a technique that uses a rotating auger to excavate soil and form a borehole which is
then reinforced and concreted to create a pile. It is a slow-rotation, high-torque process that offers
precision and minimal vibration – essential in dense urban environments like London.
Unlike driven piling, which can cause ground heave or vibration, rotary bored piling is quiet and safe near
existing buildings and tunnels. It’s the preferred method for complex or sensitive projects, particularly
where ground conditions vary layer by layer.
- Large buildings and tower blocks – capable of supporting heavy column loads and raft slabs.
- Bridges and transport infrastructure – deep foundations with high axial and lateral capacity.
- Basements and retaining walls – contiguous and secant bored pile walls to retain soil and resist water pressure.
- Industrial foundations – heavy plant bases and storage facilities.
- Residential developments – suitable where existing ground is weak or mixed fill is present.
How the Rotary Bored Piling Process Works
Our engineer-led process ensures every pile meets design requirements for load, alignment, and depth.
1. Ground Investigation & Design
We review borehole logs and soil reports to define the optimal pile type, diameter, and depth, in line with BS EN 1536:2010 +A1:2015.
2. Setting Out & Pre-Drilling
Each pile position is marked precisely to match structural drawings.
3. Borehole Drilling
The rotary rig drills down using a continuous or segmental auger. For unstable soils, a temporary casing may be inserted.
4. Cleaning & Inspection
We inspect the bore for stability and remove debris to ensure a clean shaft before concreting.
5. Reinforcement & Concreting
A steel cage is placed and high-strength concrete is tremied into the borehole, forming a monolithic, high-capacity pile.
6. Testing & Records
We perform integrity and load tests and supply full documentation for Building Control and the structural engineer. Each phase is recorded digitally for traceability and compliance.
Rotary Bored vs CFA Piling
Not sure which method suits your project? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Rotary Bored Piling | CFA Piling |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration | Very low | Low |
| Maximum Depth | 30 m + | ~20 m |
| Maximum Diameter | Up to 2.5 m | Typically 900 mm |
| Ground Type | Clay, gravel, rock, mixed | Clay and sand |
| Access Requirement | High – large rig | Moderate |
| Typical Use | Infrastructure, basements, bridges | Residential and medium buildings |
- Concrete cube and slump testing,
- dynamic or static load tests on selected piles,
- integrity testing (PIT) after curing,
- detailed pile logs, concrete volumes and as-built drawings.
These records ensure full traceability and client confidence for warranty and Building Control sign-off.
Engage KHB Piling for Rotary Bored Piling in London
While rotary bored piling is exceptionally strong and adaptable, it requires sufficient headroom and working
space for the rig, and a stable working platform. It is generally not the most economical solution for very
small domestic sites, where mini piling
or CFA piling may be more suitable.
Our engineers will always advise which system provides the best technical and financial outcome for your
project. We use modern, low-emission rigs equipped with noise suppression and dust-control systems, following
HSE construction guidance and BS EN 1536.
- CFA Piling – continuous flight auger piling for medium-depth foundations.
- Mini Piling – cost-effective solutions for restricted-access sites.
- Basement Construction – underpinning, retaining walls and waterproofing packages.
- Project Gallery – examples of our piling and foundation work across London.
If you need dependable rotary bored piling contractors in London, contact KHB Piling LTD. We provide free initial consultations, cost estimates, and design input to help engineers and developers get the best foundation solution.
Call +44 7821 836407 or email
info@khb-piling.co.uk
Testimonials
KHB Piling delivered a solid rotary bored piling solution for our London site – excellent communication and professionalism.
Ezekiel Browning · Google review
Highly skilled piling team. They managed complex ground and tight timelines without issue. Five stars.
Grzegorz G · Google review
Our industrial unit required deep foundations – KHB’s rotary bored piles performed flawlessly.
Pawel Samsung · Google review
Professional service from start to finish. Transparent pricing and detailed documentation. Recommended!
Aleksandra Dabek · Google review