What is Pile foundation? Different types of pile foundation

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A Pile foundation, a kind of deep foundation, can be defined as a slender column or long cylinder made of materials such as concrete or steel, which are used to support the structure and transfer the load a desired depth either by end bearing or skin friction.

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The loads pass through the lower tip of the pile in this type of pile. The bottom of the pile is supported by a thick layer of soil or rock. The pile usually lies atop a weak and strong slayer’s transition layer. As a result, the pile serves as a column to safely transfer the load to the strong layer. The total capacity of an end-bearing pile is estimated by multiplying the area of the pile’s tip by the bearing capacity of the soil at the pile’s resting depth. The diameter of the pile is determined using an appropriate safety factor.

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The Friction pile transfers the load from the structure to the soil by the frictional force between the surface of the pile and the soil surrounding the pile such as stiff clay, sandy soil, etc. Friction can be developed for the entire length of the pile or a definite length of the pile, depending on the strata of the soil. In friction piles, generally, the entire surface of the pile works to transfer the loads from the structure to the soil.

The surface area of the pile multiplied by the safe friction force developed per unit area determines the capacity of the pile.

While designing a skin friction pile, the skin friction to be developed at a pile surface should be sincerely evaluated and a reasonable factor of safety should be considered. Besides this one can increase the pile diameter, depth, and the number of piles and make the pile surface rough to increase the capacity of the friction pile.

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Soil Compactor piles, in contrast to other pile foundations, does not support direct loads. This pile is pushed at precise intervals for compressing the soil and enhancing its bearing capacity.

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The primary purpose of this kind of pile foundation is to transmit vertical loads from the structure to the ground. These load-bearing pile foundations transfer loads from a layer that is able to carry the load onto a layer of soil with weak supporting properties. Load-bearing piles can also be categorized as flowing depending on the method of transferring weight from the pile to the earth.

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Made from a series of interlocking steel sheets, sheet piles create permanent or temporary retaining walls necessary for large excavations. This method is cost-effective for temporary soil retention as the sheets can be removed and reused.

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These pile foundations stabilize structures prone to uplift due to hydrostatic pressure or overturning. It’s also known as an uplift pile.

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The precast concrete pile foundation is cast in a pile bed in horizontal form if they are rectangular in shape. Usually, circular piles are cast in vertical forms. Precast piles are usually reinforced with steel to prevent breakage during their mobilization from the casting bed to the location of the foundation. After the piles are cast, curing has to be performed as per specification. Generally curing period for pre-cast piles is 21 to 28 days.

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Steel piles are strong and highly resistant to bending, making them ideal for deep foundations and heavy load-bearing projects.

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The sorts of piled foundations that are buried beneath the water table are timber piles. They have a 30-year lifespan, roughly. They might have a round or a rectangular form. They can range in size or diameter from 12 to 16 inches. Typically, the pile’s length is 20 times its top breadth. Typically, they are made to support 15 to 20 tonnes. Bolting fish plates to the side of the piles will increase their strength.

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Composite Heaps are piles made of two different materials driven one on top of the other to serve the same purpose as a single pile. The beneficial properties of both materials are taken advantage of in such a combination. These are cost-effective because they combine the high corrosion resistance of one material with the low cost or strength of the other.

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In this method the piles are driven into the soil/sand which causes lateral displacement of soil and hence it is called displacement piles. Displacement piles are basically designed to be installed without removal of soil. Special equipment are used to drive the piles and displace soil laterally. Depending on situations these types of piles are preferred over bored piles

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In this type of foundation bores of required diameter is made and are filled using RCC. It can be a cased or uncased types depending on the collapsible nature of the soil.

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Pile foundations can go past the wet soil to a solid base that won’t shift or settle suddenly in areas with a lot of water in the soil, like near rivers or the sea.

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Pile foundations are particularly useful in areas with weak or unstable upper soil layers, as they can reach deeper, more stable soil or rock layers.

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There’s a pile for almost every situation, whether the site is cramped, the ground is rocky, or there’s a lot of water in the soil, making them a go-to choice for various construction projects.

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Pile foundations are designed to resist corrosion and deterioration, ensuring the long-term stability and safety of the structure.

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Pile-based foundations have the drawback that they are easily destroyed when driven through by rocks and boulders.

Pile foundations are constructed to deeper levels under the ground. There are many difficulties in maintaining the quality of construction though there are many methods to ensure the construction quality and testing methods to be carried out after the construction.

Pile foundations can be more expensive compared to shallow foundations due to the materials, equipment, and specialized labor required for their installation.

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Pile foundation forms the base to support large buildings in unstable soil conditions. It plays a vital role in constructing projects in situations where the top layer of the soil is weak. The pile foundation type is used following proper design, testing, installation, and maintenance. It is an effective way to transfer load into deep layers of soil and contributes to high safety and security, enhancing the longevity of the building and its infrastructure.

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