The Kankyo Pile Method is one of the “ground reinforcement methods” that support buildings timber piles. It timber that has undergone a preservative and anti-termite treatment process. In addition to its role in ground reinforcement, this solution also has the effect of reducing CO2 by burying domestic wood that has absorbed CO2 in the ground.
What is the Kankyo Pile Method?
Kankyo Pile Movie
Video produced and provided by: Kankyo Pile (S) Method Society
Video is in Japanese.
Construction method features and advantages
1.High-quality materials
Wood used for ground reinforcement was seen as not durable because it rots or termites eat it. This method utilizes timber reinforcement that has undergone a preservative and anti-termite treatment process for use above the groundwater level.
2.Reliable support performance
We have a quality control method for timber pile reinforcement. It is based on press-in force during installation. We also have third-party performance certification for the ground reinforcement method. This is the first time in japan that the performance of a foundation reinforcement method using timber has been certified.
3.Reduction of CO2
Many ground reinforcement methods for detached houses use cement or steel, which emit CO2 during material manufacturing. This is about 8 tons per 1 house.
Wood absorbs CO2 during growth, so using timber for reinforcement reduces CO2. One house’s timber pile reinforcement absorbs about 2 tons of CO2, so using it instead of cement and steel pipes reduces CO2 by about 10 tons.
Kankyo Pile Method and Kankyo Pile Super Method
There are two types of Kankyo Piles: “Kankyo Pile Method” and “Kankyo Pile Super Method.” Each has obtained performance certification from the third-party organization, the General Building Research Corporation of Japan (GBRC). These two construction methods differ in their design and are selected based on the ground and building conditions.
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Kankyo Pile Method [GBRC Performance Certificate No. 09-07]
This method supports the building with the bearing capacity of timber piles. It is suitable when the ground surface is loose.
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Kankyo Pile Super Method [GBRC Performance Certificate No. 11-29]
This method supports the building with the bearing capacity of timber piles and ground. Suitable when the ground surface is hard.
Treatment to prevent decay and termites
Timber gets damaged by decay fungus and termites. Timber doesn’t decay below the groundwater because fungus and termites can't live there. However, above the groundwater level, measures are required. The Kankyo Pile Method utilizes timber that has undergone a preservative and anti-termite treatment process through pressurized chemical injection. The efficacy of this process has been validated through a series of indoor and outdoor tests, and we have also obtained certification for durability from the Society of Materials Science, Japan.
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Press-in kiln
Preservative and anti-termite chemicals are injected under pressure at a factory that has obtained JAS products or AQ certification.
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Preservative test
Our products have undergone rigorous testing to confirm their preservative and anti-termite effect.
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The Society of Materials Science, Japan, Technical Evaluation No. 1019
Our Kankyo Pile Method material has been evaluated by the Society of Materials Science, Japan, for durability.
Construction results
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Wooden 2-story detached house, Kanagawa Prefecture
The Kankyo Pile is an optimal solution for detached houses, as it neither generates surplus soil nor requires a cement plant.
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Wooden 2-story learning exchange facility, Yamagata Prefecture
An increasing number of public buildings are being constructed with the Kankyo Pile in order to reduce their environmental impact.
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Wooden Onodatesho, Aichi Prefecture
Kankyo Pile Method was also used for ground reinforcement at the Onodatesho in 70th National Tree-planting Festival Aichi 2019 .
Related link
Click here for the history of Kankyo Pile Method