Types of Pile Foundation

 

Piling foundations are the most widely used deep foundation system to transmit the building loads to the lower soil or rock formations when the site has a weak material deposited at the surface. With the help of these foundations made of piles, the structure can stay stable against dynamic or static load cases at that location. The Piles are responsible for evenly distributing the building load across a larger area to avoid the failures. They are made out of several material piles and divided into categories on the basis of material, again material used and how they transfer the loads.

1. Classification by Material

a. Concrete Piles

Concrete piles are one of the frequently used types in construction industries .They are further divided into:

• Precast Concrete Piles: Manufactured off-site and brought to the construction site. They are ideal for uniform quality and controlled dimensions.
• Cast-in-situ Concrete Piles: This type of pile concrete poured and cured directly in the ground using a borehole. They are suitable for sites with limited access or tight overhead space clearance.

Advantages:

• High durability
• Can handle large loads
• Resistant to corrosion when reinforced

b. Steel Piles

Made from rolled steel sections like H-piles, I-beams, or pipe piles, these are driven into the ground using vibratory hammers.

Advantages:

• High load-carrying capacity
• Easy to splice or cut
• Suitable for very deep foundations

c. Timber Piles

Used historically and still applied in some small-scale or temporary constructions. Typically made from straight tree trunks.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective for light loads
• Environmentally friendly
• Easy to handle and install

Disadvantages:

• Susceptible to decay unless treated
• Limited length and load capacity

d. Composite Piles

Combine two or more materials like concrete and steel or concrete and timber. These piles aim to utilize the benefits of each material.

For example, a steel pile might be used in the upper section exposed to water, while a concrete lower section is embedded in stable soil

2. Classification by Installation Method

a. Driven Piles

Driven piles are prefabricated piles type that are vibrated or hammered into the ground using pile-driving equipment.

Types:

• Timber
• Precast concrete
• Steel

Advantages:

• Quick installation
• No curing time required
• Quality can be inspected before installation

Disadvantages:

• Noisy and causes vibrations
• May not be suitable in urban areas or near sensitive structures

b. Bored (Drilled) Piles

This type of pile constructed by drilling a hole into the ground and poured it with concrete. Reinforcement is erected before the concrete is poured.

Advantages:

• Quiet and vibration-free process
• Ideal for urban settings
• Can be installed in various soil conditions

Disadvantages:

• Requires specialized equipment
• Quality depends on site management

c. Screw Piles (Helical Piles)

These piles have a helical blade at the end and are screwed into the ground like a large screw. Typically used for lightweight structures and in areas with limited access.

Advantages:

• Fast installation
• Minimal vibration
• Immediate load-bearing capability

• 3. Classification by Load Transfer Mechanism

  a. End-Bearing Piles

  These piles transfer building loads directly to a strong soil or rock layer at the bottom of the pile. The load is resisted mostly at the tip or base of the pile.

  • Suitable for sites where a hard stratum is located at a certain depth.
  • Act similarly to a column transferring load from the structure to the firm layer below.

  b. Friction Piles

  Friction piles are used when there is no hard layer available. These piles transfer load through the friction between the pile surface and the surrounding soil.

  • The entire surface of the pile contributes to load-bearing.
  • Typically longer than end-bearing piles.

  c. Combination (End-Bearing + Friction) Piles

  Many piles use a combination of end-bearing and friction to distribute loads efficiently. These are common in complex soil conditions where multiple load paths are advantageous.

   

  4. Special Types of Piles

  a. Mini Piles (Micro piles)

  Small-diameter piles used in restricted spaces or for underpinning existing structures.

  b. Sheet Piles

  Thin, interlocking sheets driven to form a continuous wall, typically used for earth retention rather than vertical load support.

  c. Tension or Uplift Piles

  This type of pile designed to resist uplift forces caused by water pressure, wind, or overturning moments. Used in towers and offshore structures.

  The foundation plays an important role in ensuring structural stability and safety, especially under the state of hard soil. The alternative with the correct number of pieces depends on factors such as soil types, load requirements, environmental conditions and budget restrictions. Intensive ground technical inspection and structural analysis are important for determining the best frequency system for each construction project.