Ensuring the stability and safety of any construction project requires a solid and durable foundation.This is where pile foundation comes into play. Piling and drilling services are known for their effectiveness in resolving foundation issues, shoring, and slope stability work.
In this article, we’ll explore the various types of pile foundation available and provide guidance on selecting the best foundation for your project.
What is Pile?
A pile is a thin structural part that can be formed of composite, steel, wood, or concrete. The same is either driven into the soil or formed on-site by excavating a hole and filling it with concrete.
There are several advantages of pile foundation in the following cases :
- The load of the heavy structure is distributed evenly giving stability to the structure.
- The soil has a poor bearing capacity
- The large fluctuation in subsoil water level
- A canal or deep drainage line exists near the foundation
- The structure is situated on the seashore or riverbed, where there is a danger of scouring action of water
- Site that falls in seismic zones or land prone to floods
Different Types of Pile Foundations
Generally, pile foundations can be classified into three categories, namely, on the basis of function, materials and method of installation. We discuss in detail the former two in this article.
Based on Function
- End Bearing Pile: In end bearing pile, the pile penetrates through the soft soul and works the same way as a column.
- Friction Pile: In this type of pile foundation, the pile disperses the weight of the building evenly across its whole height onto the soil through the help of friction.
- Compaction Pile: Compaction is a method for increasing the bearing capacity of loose, granular soil. To compact the soil, the pile tube is gradually withdrawn, and sand is placed in its place to create a sand pile.
- Tension Pile: Also known as uplift pile, this pile foundation is used to resist uplift loads that the structure is subjected to due to hydrostatic pressure or overturning moment.
- Anchor Pile: These piles provide anchorage against the horizontal pull from sheet pulling or other pulling.
- Fender Pile: These piles are used go protect water front structures against impact from ships or other floating objects.
- Sheet Pile: They are made of a number of interlocking steel sheets. On building sites where significant excavations are necessary, they can be utilised to construct either temporary or permanent retaining walls.
Based on Materials
- Concrete Piles: They are made either through casting-in-place or pre-casting. In places where corrosion is certain or highly predicted, they are applied as foundation elements to support nearly all sorts of constructions.
- Steel Piles: Commonly used steel piles are H piles, box piles and tube piles. Due to their capacity to be driven in deep stratum and their small cross-sectional area, which reduces soil resistance, steel piles are often preferred against their counterparts.
- Timber Piles: These piles have been used traditionally and are made up of trunks of trees. Created either circular or square, they are designed to serve minimum loads.
- Composite Piles:This application mixes many materials to provide the most effective and affordable pile that adjusts to the current environmental conditions.
Selecting Pile Foundations
Selecting the appropriate type of pile for a project is a complex process that involves the development of formulations, validation of the site, and optimization of the design. Many variables must be taken into account, including budget, soil conditions, site size, and depth of the water table.
The best way to ascertain the best pile foundation for your project is taking help from a qualified piling and drilling contractor. If you are looking for reliable and experienced commercial piling services in British Columbia, contact Atlas Piling and Drilling Inc.Their team of skilled professionals has the expertise and equipment necessary to handle any pile installation project. You can visit them here.
