The Gyropress Method™—a piling method for rotary cutting press-in of tubular piles—of GIKEN LTD. was adopted for the first time in the U.K. and applied in a flood control project as part of an urban regeneration initiative in the city of Derby. The piling work was undertaken by Ivor King (C.E.C.) Ltd., a member company of GTOSS™ EUROPE, a comprehensive support service for users of press-in machines developed by GIKEN LTD.. Giken Europe B.V., a group company of GIKEN LTD., provided rental press-in machines, sold consumables, and dispatched technical instructors to the construction site.
The method was used in a section of Derby Riverside—the second phase of “Our City, Our River”, a large-scale public works initiative aimed at simultaneously advancing flood control and urban regeneration with total public funding of approximately 35 million pounds (approximately 7.6 billion yen). Located in a narrow area sandwiched between the river bank and existing building, the construction site required careful consideration for water quality preservation. Furthermore, the section presents significant challenges, as it involves hard ground conditions consisting of existing river walls and bedrock, requiring a balance between constructability and environmental conditions. With the Gyropress Method, a compact machine can move on top of already installed piles, enabling space-saving operation. Moreover, it enables the construction of a high-rigidity continuous wall of tubular piles while penetrating existing structures and hard ground. The piling method was highly regarded for its ability to minimise the impact on residents’ lives, business operations, and the environment by reducing noise, vibration, and discharged soil volume during piling.
Our technology is attracting attention from clients and local companies in Derby—a city where urban regeneration has long been hampered by flood damage—as a new solution that enhances disaster prevention capabilities even in situations where consideration for the surrounding environment is essential. Moving forward, we will further strengthen our collaboration with partner companies to actively promote technical proposals aimed at creating safe, secure, and comfortable communities. Through these initiatives, we will contribute to the sustainable development of local communities.
■ Flood Control Measures Promoted by the U.K. Government
In recent years, flood control has become a national priority in the U.K. against the backdrop of increasing flood risks associated with climate change. In June 2025, the U.K. government announced a plan to make large-scale investments over the next decade in sectors including flood defence. These initiatives are progressing, encompassing both new projects and those already underway across the country. One such initiative is “Our City, Our River” in the city of Derby. Within the currently underway Phase 2, the Derby Riverside – Flood Defenses (Reach 6) project, the section covered by this project, is located along the river bank near the eastern part of the city centre. It is considered a critical section requiring both the enhancement of flood protection capabilities and consideration for the surrounding environment.
When selecting piling methods for such projects, it is essential not only to address ground conditions but also to determine how to overcome challenges unique to urban areas, such as limited working space and restrictions on vibration and noise.
■ Gyropress Method™
This piling method constructs a robust and resilient Implant™ Structure by rotary cutting press-in of tubular piles fitted with ripping bits called “ring bits” at their tips, penetrating existing structures and hard ground. As the method can penetrate existing structures, there is no need to remove buried objects, and pre-excavation using excavators is unnecessary, thus reducing construction time and costs.
Furthermore, as the relatively lightweight and compact GYRO PILER™ tubular pile rotary cutting press-in machine firmly grips already installed piles, there is no risk of turning over in principle, and construction can be carried out while reducing vibration, noise, and discharged soil volume, eliminating concerns about adverse effects on the surrounding environment.
■ Construction Details
Cross-section
Prepared by GIKEN LTD. based on data provided by John Sisk & Son Ltd.
Using the GYRO PILER™ F401-G1200, 93 tubular piles measuring 16 m in length and 1,000 mm in diameter were pressed in.
Subsequently, the SILENT PILER™ F301 is scheduled to press in 192 U sheet piles (9 m long, 600 mm wide), which will complete the river retaining wall for rising-water flood protection.
Conceptual picture
Source: John Sisk & Son Ltd.
■ Construction Overview
| Construction name | Derby Riverside - Flood Defenses (Reach 6) |
|---|---|
| Location | Reach 6, River Derwent Reach, Derby |
| Project owner | Derby City Council |
| Main contractor | John Sisk & Son Ltd. |
| Sub-contractor | Ivor King (C.E.C.) Ltd. |
| Equipment | GYRO PILER™ F401-G1200, SILENT PILER™ F301 |
| Pile specifications | 93 tubular piles (1,000 mm in diameter, 16 m in length) 192 U sheet piles (600 mm in width, 9 m in length) |
| Press-in construction period | From 16 March, 2026 |
■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILER™, the world’s first reaction-based, non-vibratory hydraulic pile driving machine that operates with minimal noise impacts. The GIKEN Group now actively promotes its press-in technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative press-in technology provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has spread to over 40 nations and regions.
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