Crawler Multi-Functional Drilling Rig for Bridge Bored Pile Foundation in the Middle East
A coastal bridge and flood-control canal package in the Middle East required the installation of bored piles in soft marine clay overlying dense sand, with strict verticality tolerances and a congested waterfront working platform. The contractor deployed APIE’s crawler multi-functional drilling rig — one rig platform handling auger drilling, temporary casing advancement, and rock-socketed boring — to complete the pile foundation works for the bridge approach spans.
| Project Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Bridge Approach – Bored Pile Foundation |
| Location | Middle East (Coastal) |
| Rig Used | APIE Crawler Multi-Functional Drilling Rig |
| Pile Diameter | 600 mm |
| Pile Depth | 21 m |
| Total Piles | 148* |
| Strata | Soft marine clay / dense sand / weak rock socket |
| Duration | 11 weeks* |
- Marine clay with high water content — open-hole drilling risked collapse before concreting.
- Dense sand and shallow rock — required high rotary torque and a rock auger/core barrel combination on the same platform.
- Narrow waterfront platform — the rig needed a compact crawler chassis with low ground pressure and quick self-erection.
- Strict verticality (≤ 1%) — critical for the later installation of pile casings and capping beams.
APIE configured the multi-functional piling rig with a complete foundation drilling tool package:
- Hydraulic rotary head with high output torque for penetration through dense sand and weak rock.*
- Telescopic kelly bar + rock auger / core barrel set supplied from APIE’s drilling rig tool range, allowing process change in minutes.
- Hydraulic casing oscillator compatibility, enabling simultaneous casing advancement in the collapsible marine clay layer.
- Crowd and winch system with fine control, holding verticality within the 1% specification throughout the package.
- Crawler undercarriage with low ground pressure, safe on the reclaimed waterfront platform.
Because APIE supplies the full range of foundation construction equipment — from rotary drilling rigs and pile breakers to diaphragm wall grabs and desanders — the client procured the drilling rig, augers, casing oscillator, and pile breaker as a single matched package, reducing interface risk between suppliers.
| KPI | Target | Achieved | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cycle time per pile | ≤ 7 hrs* | 5.5 hrs* | –21%* |
| Verticality deviation | ≤ 1% | 0.6–0.8%* | Within spec |
| Rig availability | ≥ 90% | 96%* | Exceeded |
| Pile integrity tests (sonic logging) | Class A required | Class A | Passed first time |
All 148 piles passed ultrasonic and low-strain integrity testing on first submission. The client extended the rig rental into the adjacent viaduct package based on the cycle-time performance.
“One rig, one crew, three processes — augering, casing, and rock coring. APIE’s multi-functional drilling rig kept our waterfront schedule on track even with the marine clay challenges.”
— Site Agent, Infrastructure Contractor
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi-functional drilling rig | Crawler-mounted, full-hydraulic, quick-change rotary head |
| Drilling tools | Rock auger, clay auger, core barrel, cleaning bucket |
| Casing system | Hydraulic casing oscillator + temporary casings |
| Ancillary | Hydraulic pile breaker, mud desander, vibro hammer options |
APIE FOUNDATION EQUIPMENT (CHINA) LIMITED, founded in 2021, is a global supplier of pile foundation machinery and underground construction equipment, covering pile foundation, soil improvement, diaphragm wall and tunnelling works. With overseas marketing & service centers and a complete accessories supply chain, APIE supports international contractors with equipment sales, leasing, parts, and construction consulting.
Tell us your pile diameter, depth, and soil conditions — APIE’s engineering team will recommend the right rig configuration and drilling tool package.
- 📧 Email: apie@apiepiling.com
- 📱 WhatsApp / Tel: +86 189 2128 7030
- 🌐 Website: http://www.apiefoundation.com
