18/09/2026
GEOTECHNICAL SYSTEMS | MICROPILES
When conventional foundations are not practical, micropiles provide a versatile deep foundation solution for transferring structural loads into competent ground.
Micropiles are small-diameter, high-capacity piles that can be installed where access is restricted or where construction must take place close to existing structures. Their relatively small installation footprint makes them particularly suitable for underpinning, strengthening existing foundations, constrained sites and projects with difficult ground conditions.
🔹 How does a micropile work?
A typical micropile system consists of a drilled borehole, reinforcement, grout and a load-transfer connection. The reinforcement carries tensile and compressive forces, while the grout transfers the load to the surrounding ground through bond.
🔹 Micropiles vs. Conventional Piles
Not every construction site has the space or conditions for conventional piling. Micropiles provide a flexible solution for restricted-access sites, underpinning existing structures, low-headroom areas, and projects where vibration needs to be minimised. In contrast, conventional piles are commonly used for large-scale developments such as high-rise buildings, bridges, and major infrastructure where space, access, and high load capacity are available.
🔹 Examples of micropiles usage
Micropiles are increasingly valuable across Asia’s dense urban environments and challenging terrains, providing reliable foundation support with a compact equipment footprint and minimal vibration.
From transit and aviation infrastructure in Singapore and Malaysia, to high-rise developments in Hong Kong, micropiles offer engineers a flexible solution where space, access, existing structures, and ground conditions present challenges.
Hot-rolled threaded bars can serve as the reinforcement element in micropile systems, providing:
• High tensile capacity
• Continuous and robust reinforcement
• Mechanical connections using couplers
• Flexible bar lengths and configurations
• Efficient installation in restricted-access areas
• Compatibility with plates, nuts and other system components
At SAS Asia, our threaded bar systems are designed for demanding geotechnical applications, including micropiles, ground anchors and soil nails, providing engineers and contractors with a complete system of bars and compatible accessories.
Strong foundations start with the right geotechnical system.
Interested to know more about our micropile solutions?
Speak to our team to learn more about SAS threaded bar systems, couplers and accessories for micropiles and other geotechnical applications.
📩 Contact SAS Asia to discuss your project requirements.
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+65 6276 4880