Piling is a technique that involves the construction of a deep foundation of concrete to support structures and bridges. Piles are usually designed to resist the combined loading of both vertical structural loads and lateral wave load. They are also often used to transfer the load of a structure onto lower strength, more stable layers of ground.
The construction of a pile depends on the type of load that will be applied and the soil conditions. For example, the type of load will determine how much pressure is placed on the pile and will influence the shape of the pile. This will ultimately affect how much the pile can carry and its ability to withstand bending stresses.
Piles can be made of different materials, including steel, timber and concrete. They can also be precast or cast in-situ. They can be a single pile or a series of connected piles. A concrete pile can be reinforced with tendons to increase its tensile capacity and resistance to bending stresses.
To create a concrete pile, a hole is dug out to a depth that is twice the length of the pile. The hole is then filled with concrete, and a reinforcement bar is placed in the middle of the pile. Afterward, the pile is cured to ensure that it is strong and durable. The piles are often precast so that they can be transported easily from the casting bed to the site of the foundation.
There are two main types of concrete piling: a cased pile and an uncased pile. A cased pile has a tubular casing, which is driven into the soil using a mandrel that is inserted inside. Once the pile is at the desired depth, the mandrel is withdrawn and concrete is poured into the casing to form a steel/concrete composite pile.
An uncased pile does not have a casing and is simply drilled into the ground. This method is more economical than a cased pile because it requires less equipment and can be installed more quickly. However, an uncased pile can be more susceptible to damage during the driving process and may not be able to handle the design loads.
A concrete pressed pile is another type of pile that can be driven into the ground. These piles are a bit cheaper than other types of piling, but they are not as long-lasting as some other types of piles. They are best suited for applications where cost and speed are the primary concerns.
When installing a pile, it is important to make sure that the frost line is correctly identified and that the pilings are installed below this point. Otherwise, the piles could crack or move as the soil freezes and thaws. It is also important to check with local building authorities about the required frost depth for the area. This information can be found in building codes and on websites for the relevant municipality. A piling that is installed too close to the frost line can be subjected to a high lateral load, which could damage the pile or cause it to fail.
