Piles

Piles

Piles are used to transmit foundation loads through strata of low bearing capacity to deeper soil or rock strata having a high bearing capacity. Piled are also used in normal ground condition to resist heavy uplift forces or in poor soil condition to resist horizontal loads. Piles are convenient method of foundation construction works over water such as bridge piers or jetties.

Classification of Piles

Piles are classsified according to their carrying capacity,

1. End-bearing Piles - carrying capacity derived from toe of the piles.

2. Friction Piles - are piles which derive their carrying capacity by skin friction or adhesion. the piles do not reach an impenetrable stratum but are driven for some distance into a penetrable soil.

Types of Piles

1. Driven Piles - preformed units such as timber, concrete, steel, driven into the soil by the blows of a hammer.

2. Driven and Cast-in-place Piles - formed by driving a tube with a closed end into the soil and filling ethe tube with concrete. The tube may or may not be withdrawn.

3. Jacked Piles - steel or concrete units jacked into the soil.

4. Bored and Cast-in-place Piles - piles formed by boring hole into the soil and filling it with concrete.

5.  Composite Piles - combination of two or more of the preceding types, or a combination of different materials in the same type of pile.

Considerations in the Selection of Piles

1. Location and type of structure
2. Ground conditions
3. Durability
4. Final selection is made from considerations of overall cost.

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