Pile Foundations, Different Types, and Their Applications

In addition to supporting the structure, foundations shift the weight of the structure onto the earth. Nonetheless, the layer where the load is transferred by the foundation needs to have a sufficient bearing capacity and appropriate settling characteristics. There are multiple kinds of foundations based on different factors such as the entire weight of the superstructure

soil circumstances.
level of the water.
Sensitivity to vibration and noise.
accessible resources.
The project’s time frame.
Cost/Price.

There are two general categories of foundations: shallow foundations and deep foundations. When the surface soil’s bearing capability is sufficient to support the loads produced by a structure, shallow footings are typically utilized. On the other hand, when the surface soil’s bearing capability is insufficient to support the loads imposed by a structure, several deep foundation types are typically employed. As a result, the loads must be moved to a deeper level where the soil layer can support more weight. One kind of deep foundation is a pile foundation. Pilings are of great interest to foundation engineers in civil engineering. The definition of a pile foundation and its specifics will be covered in this article.

Pile Foundations

A pile foundation, which is a type of deep foundation, is characterized as a long, thin column or cylinder composed of steel or concrete that is used to support a structure and transfer weight at a desired depth through skin friction or end bearing.

Deep foundations are those made of piles. They are composed of long, thin, columnar pieces that are occasionally constructed of wood or reinforced concrete. When a foundation’s depth is greater than three times its breadth, it is referred to as “piled.”

Large structures and circumstances where the shallow soil is unsuitable to withstand excessive settlement, resist uplift, etc. are often used for foundation piles.

Use Of Pile Foundation

The topic of what circumstances pile foundations are appropriate for frequently comes up. The following circumstances make employing a pile foundation method advantageous.

The ideal method is to use foundation pilings when the groundwater table is high.
Uneven and heavy loads are imposed by the superstructure.
Alternative foundation designs are more expensive or impractical.
when the soil is compressible at shallow depths.
when there is a chance of scouring because of its proximity to a riverbed, the coast, etc.
when a deep drainage system or canal is close to the building.
when unfavorable soil conditions prevent soil extraction from reaching the specified depth.

Types of Pile Foundations

Piling foundations can be categorized according to their purpose, method of installing materials, etc. The types of piling foundations utilized in construction are as follows:

Depending on the Purpose or Use

Load bearing piles,
sheet piles
bearingsPile
friction Pile

Depending on the Materials and Construction Technique, Soil Compactor Piles

Wooden/Timber Pile
Blocks of concrete Pile
Steel Piles
Composite Pile

Different pile types used in building are depicted in the following diagram.

Pile Foundation Classification by Use or Function

Sheet Piles

The primary purpose of this kind of pile is to offer lateral support. They typically withstand lateral pressure from water flow, loose soil, etc. Typically, they are employed for shore protection, trench sheeting, and cofferdams. They are not employed to give the structure vertical support. Typically, they are employed for the following purposes:

Building retaining walls.
defense against erosion of riverbanks.
Around the foundation trenches, hold onto the loose earth.
to keep the foundation isolated from nearby soils.
for soil confinement, hence raising the soil’s bearing capacity.

Load Bearing Piles

The primary purpose of this kind of building pile foundation is to shift the vertical loads from the structure to the earth. These load-bearing pile foundations transfer loads from a layer of poorly supportive soil to one that can support the load. Load-bearing piles can be further classed as flowing based on how the load is transferred from the pile to the soil.

End Bearing Piles

The bottom tip of the pile is where the loads flow through in this kind of pile foundation. The end-bearing piles’ lower end is supported by a substantial layer of rock or soil. The pile typically rests along the boundary between a strong and weak slayer. Consequently, the pile serves as a column, securely shifting the weight to the sturdy layer.

By multiplying the area of the pile’s tip by the bearing capacity at the specific soil level the pile is resting at, one can get the overall capacity of an end-bearing pile foundation. An acceptable factor of safety is taken into account when calculating the pile’s diameter.

Friction Pile

By creating a frictional force between the pile’s surface and the surrounding soil—such as stiff clay, sandy soil, etc.—the friction pile shifts the load from the structure to the earth. Depending on the underlying layers, friction may develop along the whole pile or along a specific portion of the pile. In friction piles, the loads are typically transferred from the structure to the soil using the full surface of the pile.

The pile’s capacity is calculated by multiplying its surface area by the safe friction force generated per unit area.

When creating a skin friction pile, it is important to thoroughly assess the skin friction that will occur at the pile surface and to take an acceptable safety factor into account. In addition, to increase the friction pile’s capacity, one can increase the diameter, depth, and number of piles as well as roughen the surface of the piles.

Soil Compactor Piles

Unlike other forms of pile foundations, this sort of pile cannot support any direct loads. This type of pile is driven at fixed, closed intervals to increase the bearing capacity of the earth by compacting it.

Types of Piles Depending on the Materials and Pile Foundation Construction Process

Basically, there are two categories for heaps. There are two types of piles: replacement or non-displacement piles. Displacement piles are piles that, as they are driven to the ground, force the earth to shift both vertically and radially. Replacement piles involve boring a hole in the earth, removing soil, and either filling it with concrete or inserting a pre-cast concrete pile. Based on the materials used in the construction of pile foundations and the method of installation, load-bearing piles can be categorized as follows: