How bog mats help piling operations

Piling is an important part of many construction projects, to create firm foundations for a structure, or to underpin an existing building that has fallen victim to subsidence.

However, by definition, piling operations are often carried out on unstable ground or expansive soils, which may be more likely to shift beneath the weight of heavy machinery.

This is where many of the benefits of bog mats for piling operations come from, as they offer a way to prevent this compaction of the soil and to create a stable, solid working platform for piling rigs and other heavy plants.

 

Distributing weight with bog mats

 

When you apply pressure to a bog mat, it is distributed across the entire area of the timber mat, helping to equalise the downward force on the soil below.

The principle is similar to that of snow shoes, which spread the weight over a larger area so that the wearer does not sink into the snow.

On sites with expansive soils, this can allow heavy machinery and vehicles to access the site, without putting them at risk of getting bogged down in compacted soil.

 

Ground protection mats

 

Bog mats double as ground protection mats to prevent unnecessary damage or disturbance of the soil beneath.

Again, on sites where the earth would otherwise be churned up by tyres and tracks, this can help to spread the weight so there are no deep ruts or furrows left behind.

This not only improves safety over long-term projects by maintaining smooth, stable ground conditions but also reduces costs associated with putting the land right again once work is complete.

 

Temporary access roads

 

Getting piling rigs to the location in the first place can be challenging, but bog mats can be used to create temporary access roads so rigs can be manoeuvred into position quickly and safely.

Timber mats can be butted up against each other for a consistent access road surface, and can easily turn corners as required if access is not possible in a direct straight line.

Even if the work area is stable and solid, this allows temporary access roads to be constructed to navigate various soil conditions along the route, as well as to smooth over any slight changes in elevation on the way.