EN 1536:2010+A1:2015
(Main + Amendment)Execution of special geotechnical work - Bored piles
General Information
- Abstract
1.1 This European Standard establishes general principles for the execution of bored piles (see 3.2).
NOTE 1 This standard covers piles or barrettes which are formed in the ground by excavation and are structural members used to transfer actions and/or limit deformations.
NOTE 2 This standard covers piles with circular cross-section (see Figures 1 and A.1a)) and barrettes (see 3.3) with rectangular, T or L or any other similar cross-section (see Figure 2) concreted in a single operation.
NOTE 3 In the standard the term pile is used for circular cross-section structure and the term barrette for other shapes. Both are bored piles.
1.2 This European Standard applies to bored piles (see Figure 3) with:
- uniform cross-section (straight shaft);
- telescopically changing shaft dimensions;
- excavated base enlargements; or
- excavated shaft enlargements.
NOTE The shape of a pile base and of an enlargement depends on the tool used for the excavation.
1.3 This European Standard applies (see Note) to:
- bored piles with a depth to width ratio 5;
- piles (see Figures 1 and 3) with a shaft diameter 0,3 m D 3,0 m;
- barrettes (see Figure 2) with the least dimension Wi 0,4 m, a ratio LBiB / Wi between its largest and its least dimensions 6 and a cross-sectional area A 15 m²;
- piles with circular precast elements used as structural member (see Figure 7) with a least dimension DP 0,3 m;
- barrettes with rectangular precast elements used as structural member with a least dimension WP 0,3 m.
NOTE The standard covers a large range of diameters. For small diameter bored piles less than 450 mm, the general specification can be adapted to cater for the lack of space (e.g. minimum bars number and spacing).
1.4 This European Standard applies to piles with the following rake (see Figure 4):
- n 4 ( 76°);
- n 3 ( 72°) for permanently cased piles.
(...)
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 09-Jun-2015
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Dec-2015
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 288 - Execution of special geotechnical works
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 288 - Execution of special geotechnical works
- Current Stage
- 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 13-Sep-2021
- Completion Date
- 09-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 - Execution of special geotechnical work: Bored piles is a European standard that establishes general principles for the execution, supervision and quality control of bored piles and barrettes. Published by CEN and adopted by SIST, the standard was approved in 2010 and amended in 2015 (Amendment 1) to align with updated concrete requirements. It addresses bored foundations formed by excavation and concreting in a single operation and covers a wide practical range of pile and barrette sizes and construction methods.
Key topics and requirements
The standard specifies technical requirements and execution measures including:
Scope and geometry
- Applies to bored piles with depth-to-width ratio ≥ 5.
- Circular pile diameters D between 0.3 m and 3.0 m.
- Barrettes with least dimension Wi ≥ 0.4 m, largest/least dimension ratio ≤ 6, cross-sectional area A ≤ 15 m².
- Precast circular and rectangular elements with least dimension ≥ 0.3 m.
- Rake (inclination) limits (e.g., n ≥ 4, Θ ≥ 76°; n ≥ 3, Θ ≥ 72° for permanently cased piles).
Materials and support fluids
- Requirements for concrete, grout, reinforcement and support fluids (bentonite suspensions, polymer solutions).
- Alignment with EN 206:2013 for concrete specification.
Execution
- Excavation methods: unsupported, cased, supported by fluids and continuous flight augers.
- Enlargements (base/shaft), shaft changes (telescopic), precast insertions, casing extraction and permanent casing options.
- Concreting procedures in dry and submerged conditions, tremie use and trimming.
Reinforcement and detailing
- Longitudinal and transverse reinforcement principles, cage assembly, spacers and tolerances.
Testing, supervision and records
- On-site controls, pile load tests, integrity tests, monitoring frequencies and mandatory records.
- Annexes provide glossary, example monitoring/testing details and sample records.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
SIST EN 1536 is essential for:
- Geotechnical and structural engineers specifying bored piles and barrettes
- Specialist foundation contractors and site supervisors executing pile works
- Construction quality managers and testing laboratories performing pile load and integrity tests
- Project managers, clients and regulators ensuring compliance for earthworks, foundation construction and underground works
Use cases include deep foundations for buildings and infrastructure, retaining pile walls, ground improvement projects and installations using precast pile elements.
Related standards
- EN 1997-1 / EN 1997-2 (Geotechnical design and ground investigation)
- EN 206:2013 (Concrete specification and conformity)
- EN 13670 (Execution of concrete structures) - referenced for complementary provisions
Keywords: EN 1536:2010+A1:2015, bored piles, barrettes, geotechnical standard, pile execution, concreting, reinforcement, pile testing.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Apr-2015
- Effective Date
- 08-Apr-2015
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Refers
EN 1993-6:2026 - Eurocode 3 - Design of steel structures - Part 6: Crane supporting structures - Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Refers
EN 1991-3:2026 - Eurocode 1 - Actions on structures - Part 3: Actions induced by cranes and machines - Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Refers
EN 1998-1-2:2026 - Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 1-2: Buildings - Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Mar-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Execution of special geotechnical work - Bored piles". This standard covers: 1.1 This European Standard establishes general principles for the execution of bored piles (see 3.2). NOTE 1 This standard covers piles or barrettes which are formed in the ground by excavation and are structural members used to transfer actions and/or limit deformations. NOTE 2 This standard covers piles with circular cross-section (see Figures 1 and A.1a)) and barrettes (see 3.3) with rectangular, T or L or any other similar cross-section (see Figure 2) concreted in a single operation. NOTE 3 In the standard the term pile is used for circular cross-section structure and the term barrette for other shapes. Both are bored piles. 1.2 This European Standard applies to bored piles (see Figure 3) with: - uniform cross-section (straight shaft); - telescopically changing shaft dimensions; - excavated base enlargements; or - excavated shaft enlargements. NOTE The shape of a pile base and of an enlargement depends on the tool used for the excavation. 1.3 This European Standard applies (see Note) to: - bored piles with a depth to width ratio 5; - piles (see Figures 1 and 3) with a shaft diameter 0,3 m D 3,0 m; - barrettes (see Figure 2) with the least dimension Wi 0,4 m, a ratio LBiB / Wi between its largest and its least dimensions 6 and a cross-sectional area A 15 m²; - piles with circular precast elements used as structural member (see Figure 7) with a least dimension DP 0,3 m; - barrettes with rectangular precast elements used as structural member with a least dimension WP 0,3 m. NOTE The standard covers a large range of diameters. For small diameter bored piles less than 450 mm, the general specification can be adapted to cater for the lack of space (e.g. minimum bars number and spacing). 1.4 This European Standard applies to piles with the following rake (see Figure 4): - n 4 ( 76°); - n 3 ( 72°) for permanently cased piles. (...)
1.1 This European Standard establishes general principles for the execution of bored piles (see 3.2). NOTE 1 This standard covers piles or barrettes which are formed in the ground by excavation and are structural members used to transfer actions and/or limit deformations. NOTE 2 This standard covers piles with circular cross-section (see Figures 1 and A.1a)) and barrettes (see 3.3) with rectangular, T or L or any other similar cross-section (see Figure 2) concreted in a single operation. NOTE 3 In the standard the term pile is used for circular cross-section structure and the term barrette for other shapes. Both are bored piles. 1.2 This European Standard applies to bored piles (see Figure 3) with: - uniform cross-section (straight shaft); - telescopically changing shaft dimensions; - excavated base enlargements; or - excavated shaft enlargements. NOTE The shape of a pile base and of an enlargement depends on the tool used for the excavation. 1.3 This European Standard applies (see Note) to: - bored piles with a depth to width ratio 5; - piles (see Figures 1 and 3) with a shaft diameter 0,3 m D 3,0 m; - barrettes (see Figure 2) with the least dimension Wi 0,4 m, a ratio LBiB / Wi between its largest and its least dimensions 6 and a cross-sectional area A 15 m²; - piles with circular precast elements used as structural member (see Figure 7) with a least dimension DP 0,3 m; - barrettes with rectangular precast elements used as structural member with a least dimension WP 0,3 m. NOTE The standard covers a large range of diameters. For small diameter bored piles less than 450 mm, the general specification can be adapted to cater for the lack of space (e.g. minimum bars number and spacing). 1.4 This European Standard applies to piles with the following rake (see Figure 4): - n 4 ( 76°); - n 3 ( 72°) for permanently cased piles. (...)
EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1536:2010, EN 1536:2010/FprA1, EN 1991-1-6:2026, EN 1991-4:2026, EN 1993-6:2026, EN 1991-3:2026, EN 1993-1-11:2026, EN 1994-1-1:2026, EN 1998-1-2:2026, EN 1993-3:2026, EN 1991-1-8:2026, EN 1994-1-2:2026, EN 1993-4-2:2026, EN 1993-4-1:2026, EN 1991-1-4:2026. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Ausführung von Arbeiten im Spezialtiefbau - BohrpfähleExécution des travaux géotechniques spéciaux - Pieux forésExecution of special geotechnical work - Bored piles93.020Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod zemljoEarthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground worksICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 1536:2010+A1:2015SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015en,fr,de01-september-2015SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 1536:20111DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 1536:2010+A1
June 2015 ICS 93.020 Supersedes EN 1536:2010English Version
Execution of special geotechnical work - Bored piles
Exécution des travaux géotechniques spéciaux - Pieux forés
Ausführung von Arbeiten im Spezialtiefbau - Bohrpfähle This European Standard was approved by CEN on 2 July 2010 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 17 April 2015.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2015 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 ESIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
Glossary . 55 Annex B (informative)
Examples for details and frequencies for monitoring and testing . 64 Annex C (informative)
Sample records . 69 Annex D (informative)
Obligation of the provisions . 76 Bibliography . 82
1: General rules and EN 1997-2,
2: Ground investigation and testing. Clause 7 "Considerations related to design" of this European Standard expands on design only where necessary (e.g. the detailing of reinforcement), but provides full coverage of the construction and supervision requirements. !The amendment became necessary to accord the Standard EN 1536:2010 with EN 206:2013, Concrete – Specification, performance, production and conformity. EN 206:2013 has been revised to contain also the specific requirements for concrete for applications for special geotechnical works, making redundant respective provisions in EN 1536 (e.g. 6.1, 6.3 and 8.8).
Full according with EN 13670, Execution of concrete structures is however still pending. EN 1536:2010+A1:2015 therefore still contains specific requirements for bored piles as a concrete structure, such as the detailing of the reinforcement, the concrete placement and the supervision of concreting process which are complementing the provisions of EN 13670.
In addition, some editorial corrections were made in this amended Standard." According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
W Barrette thickness
A Cross-sectional area of the shaft Figure 1 — Bored pile with circular cross-section Figure 2 — Bored pile with non circular cross-section (barrettes) 1.2
This European Standard applies to bored piles (see Figure 3) with: — uniform cross-section (straight shaft); — telescopically changing shaft dimensions; — excavated base enlargements; or — excavated shaft enlargements. NOTE
The shape of a pile base and of an enlargement depends on the tool used for the excavation. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
Shaft diameter n
Rake DB Base enlargement diameter
DE Shaft enlargement diameter
Figure 3 — Examples for straight shaft piles and piles with shaft and base enlargement Figure 4 — Definition of the rake 1.3
This European Standard applies (see Note) to: — bored piles with a depth to width ratio ≥ 5; — piles (see Figures 1 and 3) with a shaft diameter 0,3 m ≤ D ≤ 3,0 m; — barrettes (see Figure 2) with the least dimension Wi ≥ 0,4 m, a ratio Li / Wi between its largest and its least dimensions ≤ 6 and a cross-sectional area A ≤ 15 m²; — piles with circular precast elements used as structural member (see Figure 7) with a least dimension Dm ≥ 0,3 m; — barrettes with rectangular precast elements used as structural member with a least dimension Wm ≥ 0,3 m. NOTE The standard covers a large range of diameters. For small diameter bored piles less than 450 mm, the general specification can be adapted to cater for the lack of space (e.g. minimum bars number and spacing). 1.4
This European Standard applies to piles with the following rake (see Figure 4): — n ≥ 4 (f ≥ 76°); — n ≥ 3 (f ≥ 72°) for permanently cased piles. 1.5 This European Standard applies to bored piles with the following dimensions of the shaft or base enlargements (see Figure 3): a) base enlargements: 1) in non-cohesive ground: DB / D ≤ 2; 2) in cohesive ground: DB / D ≤ 3; SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
The provisions of this European Standard apply to: — single bored piles; — bored pile groups (see Figure 5); — walls formed by piles (see Figure 6). ! " Key D Shaft diameter ai
Centre to centre spacing of the piles Figure 5 — Examples of pile groups SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
! " a = D b) Contiguous pile wall
! " a > D c) Widely spaced pile wall
Key a
Centre to centre spacing of the piles D
Shaft diameter 1
Lagging Figure 6 — Examples of pile walls 1.7
The bored piles which are the subject of this European Standard can be excavated by continuous or discontinuous methods using support methods for stabilizing the excavation walls where required. 1.8
This European Standard applies only to construction methods that allow the designed cross-sections to be produced. 1.9
The provisions apply to bored piles (see Figure 7) constructed of: — unreinforced (plain) concrete; — reinforced concrete; — concrete reinforced by means of special reinforcement such as steel tubes, steel sections or steel fibres; — precast concrete (including prestressed concrete) elements or steel tubes where the annular gap between the element or tube and the ground is filled by concrete, cement or cement-bentonite grout. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
" a) Use of plain concrete b) Use of concrete with bar reinforcement c) Use of special reinforcement
(steel section or tube) !
" d) Use of precast concrete element as main or supplementary structural member e) Use of steel tube as main or supplementary structural member Key 1
Precast concrete element 2
Grout 3
Temporary casing (extracted) 4
Uncased excavation 5
Unreinforced or reinforced concrete or cement grout D
Shaft diameter Figure 7 — Examples of bored piles with circular cross-section 1.10
Micropiles, mixed-in-place columns, columns constructed by jet grouting, ground improvement for piling, mixed-in-place pile bases and diaphragm walls are not covered by this European Standard. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
!deleted text" EN 996,
EN 1008, water, including water recovered from processes in the concrete industryf as mixing water for concrete EN 1990,
EN 1991 (all parts), Eurocode 1: Actions on structures EN 1992 (all parts), Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures EN 1993 (all parts), Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures EN 1994 (all parts), burocode 4t aesign of composite steel and concrete structures EN 1997-1,
EN 1997-2,
EN 1998 (all parts), burocode 8t aesign of structures for earthquake resistance EN 10025-2, -alloy structural steels EN 10080, - General EN 10210 (all parts), Hot finished structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels EN 10219 (all parts), Cold formed welded structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels !deleted text" EN 12794,
EN 13670, Execution of concrete structures ISO/DIS 22477-1, load test by static axially loaded compression SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
There are several types of sonic tests which measure the velocity of the wave either along the pile length or between a transmitter and a receiver placed at the same level in the shaft. 3.26 coring test fr essai d'auscultation sonique par transparence de Prüfung mittels Kernbohrung integrity test carried out from core drillings in a bored pile shaft 3.27 test pile fr pieu d'essai de Probepfahl zur Ermittlung Tragfähigkeit; Probebelastungspfahl bored pile to which loads are applied to determine the resistance deformation characteristics of the bored pile and the surrounding ground NOTE Depending on the test performed, test pile can be working pile or expendable pile. 3.28 trial pile fr pieu de faisabilité de Probepfahl zur Prüfung Ausführbarkeit; Eignungspfahl bored pile installed to assess the practicability and suitability of the construction method for a particular application NOTE A trial pile can also be used as a test pile. 3.29 static pile load test fr essai de chargement statique de pieu de statische Probebelastung loading test where a bored pile is subjected to chosen static axial and/or lateral actions at the bored pile head for the analysis of its capacity SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
This information should include: — any legal or statutory restrictions; — the location of main grid lines for setting out; — the conditions of structures, roads, services, etc. adjacent to the work, including any necessary surveys; — a suitable quality management system, including supervision, monitoring and testing. 4.1.3 The information regarding the site conditions shall cover, where relevant: — the geometry of the site (boundary conditions, topography, access, slopes, headroom restrictions, etc.); — the existing underground structures, services, known contaminations, and archeological constraints; — the environmental restrictions, including noise, vibration, pollution; — the future or ongoing activities such as dewatering, tunnelling, deep excavations. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
The sufficiency of the geotechnical investigation shall be checked for the design and execution of the bored piles. 5.1.4 If the geotechnical investigations are not sufficient, a supplementary investigation shall be conducted. 5.2 Specific requirements 5.2.1 Particular attention shall be paid to the following aspects, which are relevant to the execution of bored piles: — the ground level at any point of investigation or testing relative to the recognised national datum or to a fixed reference chart datum; — piezometric levels of all water-tables and permeability of the soils; — presence of coarse, highly permeable soils or cavities (natural or artificial), which can cause sudden losses of support fluid and instability of the bore during the excavation or can cause a sudden drop of concrete during the placement, and thus can require special measures; — presence, strength and deformation characteristics of soft soils, such as very soft clay or peat, which can cause difficulties during excavation or concreting (deformation or instability); — presence of boulders or obstructions which can cause difficulties during excavation and, an assessment of their size and frequency, when applicable; — presence, position, strength of hard rock or other hard materials which can cause difficulties during excavation and may require the use of special tools; — presence, extent and thickness of any strata that can be sensitive to water infiltration or to stress caused by piling tools (e.g. impact, percussion or vibration); — underground strata where high ground-water velocities exist; SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
The sources of supply of constituents shall be documented and shall not be changed without prior notification. 6.1.2 Bentonite 6.1.2.1 A distinction should be made between calcium bentonite, natural sodium bentonite and activated bentonite, which is a sodium bentonite produced from natural calcium bentonite by ion exchange. NOTE 1 Bentonite is a clay containing mainly the mineral montmorillonite. NOTE 2 Bentonite is used in support fluids, either as a pure bentonite suspension or as an addition to polymers solutions. It is also used as a constituent part of hardening slurries and of plastic concrete. 6.1.2.2 Bentonite used in bentonite suspensions shall not contain harmful constituents in such quantities as can be detrimental to reinforcement or concrete. 6.1.2.3 The chemical and mineralogical composition of the bentonite shall be supplied. SIST EN 1536:2011+A1:2015
There are different types of polymers ranging from natural gums to specially tailored blends of synthetic products. ! 6.1.4 Cement 6.1.4.1 Cements for bored piles ar
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