FAILURE OF PILE FOUNDATION

& REMEDIES
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/failure-of-pile-foundation-remedies/7377/

Pile foundation is widely used deep foundation for complex geologic conditions with
kinds of load conditions, especially for soft soil foundation. Pile foundation has large
bearing capacity, well stability and small differential settlement compared to other
foundation types. But pile foundations may also get damaged and fail specially during
earthquakes.

Fig: Pile foundation failure

The failure of the pile foundation may result from any of the following
causes:
1. Lack of adequate boring

2. Inaccurate soil classification

3. Soft strata under tip of pile

4. Inadequate driving formula (wrong data)

5. Improper size of hammer cause insufficient penetration, too light or damaged if too
heavy

6. Misinterpretation of load

7. Damaged of encased piles

8. Buckling of piles

9. Breaking of piles

10. Vibration that cause lateral or vertical movement

11. Flowing strata caused by adjacent excavation or bank sloughing

12. Tension failure of concrete pile for lack of reinforcement

13. Eccentricity due to bowing or falling out of plumb

14. Decay due to lower ground water level

15. Insect and marine borer attack and corrosion

16. Disintegration of concrete due to poor quality of concrete or reactive aggregate

17. Collapse of the thin shell of the piles

18. Overweight due to earthfill.

Remedies to prevent failure of pile foundation:

1. Early repair such as encasement or replacement

2. Removal of partial load

3. Underpinning
Read More about Pile Foundations