Types of Foundation and Construction Process

Timber Piles

The kind of piled foundations positioned below the water line are called timber piles. They have a roughly 30-year lifespan. They might have a round or rectangular shape. They range in size or diameter from 12 to 16 inches. Typically, the pile’s length is 20 times its top width.

Typically, they are made to support 15 to 20 tons. Fish plates can be fastened to the side of the piles for further strength.

Advantages of Timber Piles

Timber piles of regular size are available.
Economical.
Easy to install.
Low possibility of damage.
After installation, timber pile footings can be trimmed to any length that is desired.
Timber piles can simply removed if needed.

Disadvantages of Timber Piles

Longer-length piles aren’t often accessible.
Straight heaps are hard to come by if the length is short.
If the soil layers are particularly hard, driving the pile will be challenging.
Spicing of timber piles is difficult.
End-bearing piles should not be constructed from wood or other similar materials.
Extra precautions need to be taken to ensure the longevity of timber piles. For instance, preservatives are frequently applied to wooden piles.

Concrete Piles

Pre-cast Concrete Pile

If the precast concrete piles are rectangular in shape, they are cast in a horizontal pile bed. Circular piles are typically cast in vertical configurations. In order to prevent breaking during their mobility from the casting bed to the foundation area, precast piles are typically strengthened with steel. Following pile casting, curing must be carried out in accordance with specifications. Pre-cast piles typically need 21 to 28 days to cure.

Advantages of Pre-cast Piles

offer strong resistance against biological and chemical fractures.
They are usually of high strength.
It may be necessary to lay a conduit along the pile’s center to make driving easier..
Work may proceed more quickly if the piles are cast and prepared for driving before the installation phase is scheduled to end.
It is possible to guarantee the reinforcement’s confinement.
The quality of the pile can be controlled.
Before driving, it can be fixed if a problem is found.
Pre-cast piles can be driven under the water.
Once the piles are driven up to the necessary length, they can be loaded right away.

Disadvantages of Pre-cast Piles

Increasing or decreasing the pile’s length once it has been determined is challenging.
They are difficult to mobilize.
Needs heavy and expensive equipment to drive.
The project may take longer to complete because they cannot be purchased readymade.
When piles are handled and driven, there is a chance of breakage or damage.

Cast-in-Place Concrete Piles

This kind of pile footing is built by drilling a hole in the ground to the required depth, filling it with recently mixed concrete, and allowing it to cure. When building a cast-in-place concrete pile foundation, a steel shell is either driven into the ground, filled with concrete, and left there, or the shell is removed while the concrete is being poured. In cast-in-situ piling, spherical heaps are typically utilized.

Advantages of Cast-in-Place Concrete Piles Foundation

Because of their small weight, the shells are manageable.
The length of piles can be varied easily.
The shells may be assembled at sight.
It is not necessary to enforce excessively in order to stop managing harm.
No possibility of breaking during installation.
If more piles are needed, they can be easily provided.

Disadvantages of Cast-in-Place Concrete Piles

Installation of this kind of piling foundation necessitates meticulous oversight and quality control.
Requires enough space on the construction site to store the building materials.
It is difficult to construct cast in situ piles where the underground water flow is heavy.
It’s possible that the pile’s base is not symmetrical.
In the event of an uplifting force, an unreinforced and uncased pile may collapse under tension.

Steel Piles

I-section or hollow pipe steel piles are both possible. Concrete is placed inside of them. The diameter can range from 10 to 24 inches, and the thickness is typically ¾ inch. The piles are simple to drive because of the tiny sectional area. Their primary application is as end-bearing piles.

Advantages of Steel Piles

They are easy to install.
Compared to other kinds of pile foundations, they can go deeper.
Can pass through the dense soil layer because of its smaller cross-sectional area.
It is easy to splice steel piles
Can carry heavy loads.