Pile foundation is required when the soil bearing capacity is not sufficient for the structure

to withstand. This is due to the soil condition, type of load on foundations, conditions at site and
operational conditions.
Purpose of pile foundations is:
1. To carry the superstructure loads into or through a soil stratum. Both vertical and lateral loads
may be involved.
2. To resist uplift, or overturning, forces, such as for basement mats below the water table or to
support tower legs subjected to overturning from lateral loads such as wind.
3. To compact loose, cohesion less deposits through a combination of pile volume displacement
and driving vibrations. These piles may be later pulled.
4. To control settlements when spread footings or a mat is on a marginal soil or is underlain by a
highly compressible stratum.
5. To stiffen the soil beneath machine foundations to control both amplitudes of vibration and the
natural frequency of the system.
6. As an additional safety factor beneath bridge abutments and/or piers, particularly if scour is a
potential problem.
7. In offshore construction to transmit loads above the water surface through the water and into
the underlying soil. This case is one in which partially embedded piling is subjected to vertical
(and buckling) as well as lateral loads.

Uses of Piles
As far as deep foundations are concerned there are no. of types of deep foundations and
pile foundation is among one of them; uses of Pile Foundation depends on the type of pile used,
the intended function for which the pile is used, the load which is to be applied on the pile and
the type of material which is used for the construction of the pile;

a)

End Bearing or Compressive Strength

Sometimes we use the piles to achieve the required compressive strength in the soft soil; in that
case we use the piles to transfer the load through that soft soil to a suitable bearing stratum by
using the end bearing or toe bearing property of the pile
b) Scour Depth:
To build a structure within the water and on the water river or canal bed; we have to build
the foundation through the river bed and within the scour depth.

c)

Tension or Uplift:
Piles are usually used to carry compressive nature of load through tip bearing or end

bearing; but in case of tall structures or like towers there might be tension that must be resisted
by piles
d) Vibration Control
For foundation of buildings supporting vibrating equipments like Turbines and silos etc
where the vibrations is significant and might cause failures as well; there are two options there
you might go for the massive block to absorb the vibrations or you can use the deep foundations
and same that the massive block is very uneconomical.
e)

Compaction Piles:
Sometimes the piles are driven in a weaker strata of soil to increase the bearing capacity

of the soil those piles are called compaction piles; and thus by using compaction piles we can
increase the bearing capacity of the soil.
f)

Rapid Construction
To tackle or to avoid any problem relating to soils deep foundations and specially piles

are a very good option when the time schedule is very tough. They are rapid to construct and not
difficult to design as well.

Types of Pile Foundation

Concrete Piles
Concrete piles are either precast or in-situ. Cement concrete is used in the construction of
concrete piles. Precast concrete piles are prepared in factory or casting yard and cast-in-situ are
prepared by making a hole and filling it with concrete.

Steel Piles
Steel piles are made of steel pipes usually filled with concrete after being driven. Steel
H sections are widely used as steel piles, especially if conditions demand hard driving. Steel
piles are usually of long lengths and have high working loads per pile.

Timber Piles
Timber piles are made of wood used in ancient time. The timber used as timber pile
should be straight, sound and free from defects. Steel shoes are provided to prevent damage
during driving. To avoid damage to the top of the timber pile, a metal cap or band is provided.
The length of timber piles depend on the on types of trees used to harvest the piles, but common
lengths are about 12m long. Timber piles are susceptible to termites, marine organisms, and rot
within zones with seasonal changes.

Plastic Piles
Plastic pile comprises a variety of composite materials that include polymer composites,
PVC, and recycled materials. These piles are used in special applications such as in marine
environments and within soil zones exposed to seasonal changes.

Composite Piles
Composite piles are made of two different materials. A composite pile may consist of the
lower portion of cast-in-situ concrete. Composite piles are used rarely as it is difficult to provide
proper joint between two or more materials.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION:
Driven or displacement piles
They are usually pre-formed before being driven, jacked, screwed or hammered into
ground. This category consists of driven piles of steel or precast concrete and piles formed by
driving tubes or shells which are fitted with a driving shoe. The tubes or shells which are filled
with concrete after driving. Also included in this category are piles formed by placing concrete
as the driven piles are withdrawn.

Hammer Type Pile Driving

Hydraulic Type Pile Driving

Bored or Replacement piles

They require a hole to be first bored into which the pile is then formed usually of
reinforced concrete. The shaft (bore) may be eased or uncased depending upon type of soil.

Boring Type Pile Driving

Rotary Drilling

ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES OF PILE FOUNDATION

Concrete Piles
Advantages:
1. High load capacities, corrosion resistance can be attained, hard driving possible
2. Cylinder piles in particular are suited for bending resistance.
3. Cast in place concrete piles are formed by drilling a hole in the ground & filling it with
concrete. The hole may be drilled or formed by driving a shell or casing into the ground.
Disadvantages:
1. Concrete piles are considered permanent, however certain soils (usually organic) contain
materials that may form acids that can damage the concrete.
2. Salt water may also adversely react with the concrete unless special precautions are taken
when the mix proportions are designed. Additionally, concrete piles used for marine
structures may undergo abrasion from wave action and floating debris in the water.
3. Difficult to handle unless pre-stressed, high initial cost, considerable displacement, prestressed piles are difficult to splice.
4. Alternate freezing thawing can cause concrete damage in any exposed situation.

Steel Piles
Advantages of steel piles:
1. Easy to splice.
2. High capacity.
3. Small displacement.
4. Able to penetrate through light obstructions.
5. Best suited for end bearing on rock.
6. Reduce allowable capacity for corrosive locations or provide corrosion protection.

Disadvantages:
1.

Vulnerable to corrosion.

2.

HP section may be damaged/deflected by major obstruction

Timber Piles
Advantages of Timber Piles
1. It is cheap and economical.
2. Piles can be made longer by bonding each other.
3. Piles can be placed quickly. So it reduces overall time.
4. No heavy material or experienced labor is needed for timber piling.
5. As timber is an elastic material, it can be used in places where there is a possibility of
side friction.
Disadvantages of Timber Piles
1. It can be affected by insects or salt water.
2. It cannot be used for filled soil.
3. It is very costly to place pile caps for deep excavation where sub-soil water level is very
low.
4. The joint between timber piles is weak, so it can not be used effectively in places where
long piling is required.
5. Load bearing capacity is low.
6. Timber piles are very hard to place in hard ground surface

References:
Buhdu, Muni(2011).Soil Mechanics and Foundation.John Wiley and Sons, Inc;111 River Street,
Hoboken, NJ.
Das, Braja M.(2007).Principles of Foundation Engoneering.Thompson;Wescosin,USA.
Bowles, Joseph E(1997).Foundation Analysis and Design.The McGraw-Hill Companies
Inc.;Singapore.

Prepared by:
LARRY A. JIMENA
CE 249 (Foundation Analysis and Design)