Excavator at Construction Site

Advanced Rock & Overburden Drilling

Ancora Foundations

ODEX Piling Specialists

ODEX Piling – Advanced Rock & Overburden Drilling Solutions

ODEX (Overburden Drilling EXcentric) piling is a specialist drilling method designed for mixed, unstable, or obstruction-heavy ground conditions. Using a down-the-hole hammer and an eccentric reamer, the system allows simultaneous drilling and casing installation, ensuring the bore remains stable even through boulders, fill, loose soils, or overburden. This approach is ideal when traditional augered or driven piles struggle to maintain bore integrity.

Key Features of ODEX Piling

  • Simultaneous drilling and casing advancement for maximum bore stability
  • Capable of penetrating boulders, cobbles, dense fill, and variable strata
  • Suitable for rock socketing and deep foundation requirements
  • Minimal vibration, protecting nearby buildings and sensitive structures
  • Works in restricted access and urban environments
  • Casing can be left in place as a permanent pile liner or extracted depending on design

Technical Capability

Specification Typical Range / Capability
Typical diameters 114mm – 400mm
Typical depths Up to 15m+ depending on ground conditions
Typical load capacities Medium to high bearing depending on casing size and rock socket
Installation Possible with restricted access rigs and low headroom plant

Typical Applications

  • Piling in mixed or unstable ground
  • Rock socketed foundations
  • Rail, highway, and infrastructure retaining works
  • Boundary piling near existing structures
  • Underpinning requiring cased penetration
  • Hard-ground mini piling where augers fail
  • Temporary or permanent cased piles
Advantages

Reliable installation through obstructions, reduced spoil, and low vibration operation.

Design Considerations

Analysis of retained soil parameters, socket depth, loads, and full compliance with BS EN 1536.

Why Clients Choose Ancora: Quality-focused, fast turnaround, fully compliant, and commercially efficient.

Services FAQ

For sites with limited access or low headroom (like basements or rear gardens), we use SFA (Segmental Flight Auger), Grundomat, or Helical piling. These methods utilise compact, handheld, or modular equipment that avoids the need for large rigs.

We use ODEX piling for challenging strata. This method cases the hole simultaneously while drilling, preventing bore collapse in loose soil and allowing us to penetrate through boulders, fill, or rock obstructions securely.

Yes. Beyond piling, our Reinforced Concrete (RC) teams construct piled rafts, ground beams, and retaining walls. This ‘one-stop’ approach ensures seamless integration, faster delivery, and clearer accountability for your project.

Absolutely. We specialise in vibration-free and low-noise techniques (such as CFA, SFA, and Helical piling) that protect adjacent structures and minimise disruption to neighbours, fully compliant with environmental standards.

Yes. We design and install Contiguous and Secant piled walls to retain earth and exclude water for basement excavations. These are engineered to withstand high lateral loads and integrate with the final structure.

We operate with strict adherence to Eurocode 7, BS EN standards, and NHBC requirements. We provide full design warranties, collateral warranties, and comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) logs for every pile installed.
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