Sectional Flight Auger (SFA) Piling

Sectional flight auger (SFA) piling is a bored soil replacement piling technique ideal for installation in areas where restricted access requires a smaller rig.

Why use sectional flight auger piling?

Our SFA piles in action

Green Piling installed piles for a new bridge – A876, Kincardine
Highways

Green Piling installed piles for a new bridge – A876, Kincardine

Green Piling installed piles for a new bridge – A876, Kincardine

Over 3 separate visits, 210 piles were developed by Green Piling.

Find out more
We developed Plots 18 & 19 in Forth Quarter – Edinburgh
Housing, Residential

We developed Plots 18 & 19 in Forth Quarter – Edinburgh

We developed Plots 18 & 19 in Forth Quarter – Edinburgh

Using high-quality, professional equipment we maintained pile stability for house plots in Scotland's capital city.

Find out more
We installed over 1300 Steel Tubular Piles for one project – Seal Sands
Energy

We installed over 1300 Steel Tubular Piles for one project – Seal Sands

We installed over 1300 Steel Tubular Piles for one project – Seal Sands

We installed over 1300 Steel Tubular Piles in Seal Sands for Conoco Phillips.

Find out more
Green Piling and other contractors supported Ideal Boilers – Hull
Commercial

Green Piling and other contractors supported Ideal Boilers – Hull

Green Piling and other contractors supported Ideal Boilers – Hull

We worked alongside Network Rail and other contractors to support Ideal Boilers, Hull.

Find out more
New Cement Grinding Plant at Tilbury Docks for Cemex UK
Ports & Harbour

New Cement Grinding Plant at Tilbury Docks for Cemex UK

New Cement Grinding Plant at Tilbury Docks for Cemex UK

Cemex UK hired us to update their Piles, to make way for a new Cement Grinding Plant.

Find out more
We were sub-contracted to work on Tilbury Power Station for National Grid
Energy

We were sub-contracted to work on Tilbury Power Station for National Grid

We were sub-contracted to work on Tilbury Power Station for National Grid

A successful project, sub-contracted by National Grid.

Find out more

SFA piling: the restricted access piling technique

Working in urban environments or confined spaces calls for a piling technique that fits the bill. Sectional auger piling is an excellent alternative for getting reliable results even in restricted access areas.

Restricted access

The auger sections can be transported and assembled on-site, allowing for piling operations in confined spaces or areas with limited headroom.

SFA is supplied in small sections, requiring a short mast on the piling rig. However, the number of sections added to the rig can exceed the depth CFA piling can achieve.

Smaller plant requirements typically mean smaller costs. SFA piling is often a more cost-effective option, especially for restricted access projects.

Advanced installation process

Our installation process uses modern rigs equipped with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) instrumentation. This technology monitors key parameters such as pile depth, penetration rate, drill resistance, concreting pressure, and extraction rate, which allows for efficient control throughout the installation process.

Rectangle 103
Rectangle 2

Quality assurance

Every SFA piling solution we deliver is tailored to your project’s specific needs. Our in-house team ensures each design and installation meets the highest standards for quality, safety and performance. Plus, all our rigs are equipped with onboard systems to monitor concrete depth in real time for high levels of accuracy and control on site.

As a leading provider of piling and ground beam solutions, safety is built into everything we do. Our team works to a safety-first culture, supported by industry accreditations and rigorous internal standards

We’re focused on reducing the environmental impact of every project. Our SFA piling methods are designed for low-noise, low-vibration performance, and we continuously seek ways to cut carbon, reduce waste, and support your long-term environmental goals.

Contact our estimating team for expert support on your next project

Other piling & foundation solutions

Green Piling offers a comprehensive range of piling services to meet the unique demands of your project.

Frequently asked questions about SFA piling

Can’t find the answer to your question? Get In Touch with our expert team.

Sectional flight auger piling is a form of replacement piling. Like continuous flight auger piles, they work by replacing the ground with a column of concrete to form the foundation. 

The main difference between CFA and SFA piling is that SFA piles are constructed with sectional augers (usually supplied in 1-2m lengths). The augers are incrementally introduced as the pile advances, providing more control over the depth of the piles.

We install SFA piles by drilling a hollow stemmed auger into the ground. We then inject concrete through the hollow stem as the auger is withdrawn, before inserting a reinforcement cage. During SFA piling installation, we can add and remove augers to achieve the required design depth.

With over 25 years of specialist experience, Green Piling is one of the UK’s most trusted providers of SFA piling. We offer a fully in-house service, from design and estimating to manufacturing and installation, giving you full visibility, consistent quality, and expert support at every stage. 

We invest in advanced piling rigs equipped with modern, computerised systems that monitor auger depth, rotation speed and penetration rate in real time. This ensures every pile is installed with precision, control and full compliance with industry standards.

Ready to build a solid foundation for your next project?

Get In Touch today to learn more about how our team can support.