A piling foundation is a type of structure that provides structural support to a building. The foundation can be constructed of a variety of materials, depending on the needs of the project and available resources. Some types of pile foundations are specialized for specific applications, while others may be used as general-purpose support. The most common types of pile foundations include driven, precast, and drilled-in-place (or cast in place) piles.
Driven Pile — The Classic
A driven pile is the most traditional type of piling and is typically constructed of timber, concrete or steel. These pilings are cast at a factory and hammered or driven into the ground using heavy equipment to reach deep into the soil.
The driven pile is a safe and inexpensive option that can be installed in almost any soil condition. These piles are ideal for projects that require a large amount of support.
They are also versatile, allowing for different diameters and depths and can be shaped into a number of shapes to meet specific needs.
Precast Piles — Cast in place concrete piles are often used in areas with difficult subsurface conditions. These are manufactured offsite in a controlled environment and can be cast in circular, square, or octagonal shapes.
These are reinforced to withstand driving stresses, and they can be transported easily and quickly for installation. They also have a curing period that is usually 21 to 28 days, which allows the concrete to harden before being inserted into the soil.
Generally, precast piles are easier to transport and install than other types of piling because they can be easily shaped into a number of shapes without having to go through an extensive excavation process. They can also be shaped to fit into tight spaces, such as around pipes or cables.
The design of a pile foundation requires careful consideration of many factors, including the type of soil and its properties. These factors will impact the axial, bending and buckling load capacity of each pile. These values will be determined by the geotechnical engineer and then used to calculate the load each pile must carry. These axial, bending and buckling loads are then converted into Euler critical loads and evaluated to determine the pile’s structural capacity.
