Fuller Piles^® rigid inclusions

Efficient rigid inclusion installation

Reliable structural ground improvement with high efficiency and minimal disruption; engineered for commercial, residential, and industrial projects.

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Fuller Pile^® Rigid Inclusions:
Advanced Ground Strength, Engineered for Stability

Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusions are advanced ground improvement elements that improve bearing capacity without being directly connected to the footing or slab. By installing a load transfer platform or cushion between the footing and the rigid inclusion, loads are shared between the inclusion and the surrounding soil, providing predictable stiffness and mitigating total and differential settlement.

These systems behave as true structural elements, delivering superior axial and lateral performance and seismic suitability. They often replace stone columns, grout inclusions, and hybrid systems with a single, verifiable, value-engineered solution. Proper installation ensures consistent load transfer and long-term performance, even on sites with variable soil conditions.

Key features

Load-sharing efficiency

Transfers structural loads between rigid inclusion and soil.

Cost-effective foundation

Settlement mitigation

Controls both total and differential settlement effectively.

Seismic performance

Designed for ductile, predictable behavior under cyclic loading.

High production rates

Up to 50 inclusions per day per rig, depending on site conditions.

Benefits

Value-engineering solution

These inclusions optimize constructability, verification, seismic performance, and efficiency. By functioning as structural elements within a composite ground system, they remove many inefficiencies associated with conventional methods. Projects benefit from reduced risk and greater design flexibility. Regular attention to correct rigid inclusion installation helps achieve the full potential of this value-engineered approach.

High production rates and schedule compression

Installation rates of up to 50 inclusions per day per rig allow large foundation areas to be improved quickly. This significantly reduces foundation duration compared to stone columns or soil mixing systems. Faster installation keeps project timelines on track, and consistent, rigid inclusion installation practices ensure productivity is maintained across multiple rigs. This helps keep projects on schedule and resources optimized.

Flexible, small-footprint equipment

Installation uses small CAT-class rigs with auger attachments, enabling work in confined or urban sites. Multiple rigs can operate simultaneously, scaling production efficiently and adapting to fast-track schedules. This flexibility minimizes equipment congestion and site disruption, while maintaining best practices in rigid inclusion. This ensures work proceeds efficiently, safely, and on schedule across every project.

Reduced vibration and seismic suitability

Unlike vibro-replacement or grout systems that induce vibration and rely on soil confinement, these inclusions install with minimal disturbance and perform predictably under seismic loads. Correct rigid inclusion installation ensures ductile, reliable performance even in earthquake-prone regions. This gives engineers and contractors confidence that foundations will maintain integrity and stability under all seismic conditions.

No Spoils, no soil disposal, no contamination risk

Because the system generates no spoil, there are no disposal costs or environmental concerns. This simplifies overall site logistics, reduces regulatory hurdles, and ensures each rigid inclusion is environmentally compliant. It also helps construction projects stay on schedule while promoting sustainable practices, enhancing site efficiency, and supporting safe, cost-effective, and highly reliable construction outcomes.

Delegated design by integrated engineering teams

Structural and geotechnical engineers collaborate on every project, addressing settlement, axial and lateral loads, and seismic effects holistically. Designs use coupled finite element models for uniform load distribution under footings, minimizing RFIs and improving constructability. Integrated design, combined with precise rigid inclusion installation, ensures predictable foundation performance across the construction site.

Field-adjustable lengths without redesign

Rigid inclusion lengths can be modified in the field to match observed subsurface conditions, offering adaptability that traditional ground improvement methods cannot provide. This flexibility helps projects stay on schedule and maintain structural performance through careful rigid inclusions. It also allows engineers to optimize each inclusion for local soil and loading conditions, maximizing efficiency and reliability.

Load testing for design optimization

Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusions support load testing at varying lengths, allowing engineers to optimize the ground system and reduce material use. Strategic length adjustments combined with proper rigid inclusion installation improve cost efficiency and foundation performance. This approach ensures foundations meet project requirements precisely while maximizing safety, efficiency, reliability, and long-term structural performance.

Our Trusted Clients

Our projects

Pattillo Construction

Location: New Jersey. 
Contractor: Pattillo Construction (NJDOT Project).
Pile Type: 4 1/2" Fuller Piles®

Aspire

Location: Bushy Park, South Carolina. 
Contractor: Evans General Contracting. 
Pile Type: 2 7/8” Fuller Pile® with top caps and 5 1/2” Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusions.

Roper Sawmill

Location: Summerville, South Carolina. 
Contractor: Trident Construction. 
Pile Type: 4 1/2” Fuller Pile®.

Jedburg Elementary School

Location: Moncks Corner, South Carolina. 
Contractor: H.G. Reynolds. 
Pile Type: 2 7/8” Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusions.

Drayage Rd

Location: Charleston, South Carolina. 
Contractor: Banks Construction. 
Pile Type: 2 7/8” Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusions.

1620 Riverfront Pkwy

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
Contractor: Evans General Contractor. 
Pile Type: 2 7/8” Fuller Pile® Rigid Inclusion.

Why Choose Claycor?

At Claycor, we don’t just provide products; we deliver reliable, innovative geotechnical solutions. With decades of experience, we help engineers, contractors, and builders achieve predictable performance, cost efficiency, and peace of mind on every project.

Partnering with Claycor means access to integrated design expertise, optimized installation methods, and solutions that save time, reduce risk, and maximize performance. With Claycor,
every project starts on solid ground.