Welcome to the website of the Press-in Technology R&D Center. We are a team within GIKEN dedicated to addressing research and development challenges from both short-term and mid- to long-term perspectives. Our mission is to create and enhance the social value of press-in technology through engineering expertise and academic approaches.
Mission
Key activities
ー R&D activities on Construction Work ー
In press-in piling, data are collected for every individual pile. We are developing a range of core technologies to effectively utilize these piling data, including autonomous operation of press-in piling machines, estimation of geotechnical information, and evaluation of pile performance.
In addition, we are working to apply these technologies to make construction processes more efficient, transparent, and fair. This includes the development of digital twins for construction. Information obtained during the “Construction Work” phase can be leveraged to complement and enhance earlier stages such as “Investigation” and “Design.”
ー R&D activities on Structures ー
Pressed-in piles and sheet piles are increasingly being used in non-temporary structures to help realize a sustainable and resilient society. To further promote their application, we conduct full-scale loading tests to accumulate performance data for various types of piles and sheet piles installed in diverse ground conditions using different penetration techniques. These results are then systematically correlated with existing design codes.
In addition, we investigate the performance of structures composed of pressed-in piles or sheet piles through model tests, field experiments, and numerical analyses. Based on these studies, we propose design methodologies to ensure that such structures achieve the required performance.
ー R&D activities on Space ー
We have been actively engaged in projects related to space development. These initiatives include the “Space Construction Innovation Project” led by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), as well as “Space Port Kochi,” a general incorporated association established in 2025 with the aim of constructing a spaceport in Kochi.
Through our participation in these projects, we continue to refine our technologies to challenge new frontiers and expand the potential of press-in technology to create greater social value.
ー Interaction with academic community ー
Members of the R&D Center actively participate in a wide range of academic and professional societies, including ISSMGE (International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering), JGS (Japanese Geotechnical Society), JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers), DFI (Deep Foundations Institute) and IPA (International Press-in Association).
We also collaborate with various universities and research institutions. In particular, our joint research with the University of Cambridge, initiated under the strong vision of Mr. Akio Kitamura - Founder of GIKEN and a pioneer of the press-in industry - has continued since 1994.
ー Creation of intellectual properties ー
We create a wide range of intellectual property, including papers, articles, and patents.
For more information, please refer to the “Achievements” section of this website, where our outputs are categorized into “Awards,” “Reviewed journal papers,” “Reviewed conference papers,” “Articles,” “Non-reviewed papers and reports,” “Theses,” “Patents,” and “Books, technical materials and proceedings.”
Links
(alphabetical order)
