PILE FOUNDATION

There are two types of foundations:

Shallow foundations and Deep foundations.

When the loads imposed by a structure are small in comparison to the

carrying capability of the surface soils, shallow foundations are often utilised.

Where loads must be transferred to deeper layers with a higher bearing

capacity because the surface soils' bearing capacity is insufficient to support
the loads, deep foundations are required.

Pile foundations are primarily used to increase the effective size of a

foundation and resist horizontal loads by transferring loads from
superstructures through weak, compressible stratum or water and onto
stronger, more compact, less compressible, and stiffer soil or rock at depth.
When soil cannot be used to prevent excessive settlement, they are often
used for huge constructions.

Because pile foundations hold a lot of weight, they must be carefully

designed. To make sure that the soil is not overburdened beyond its bearing
capacity, a qualified engineer will investigate the soil the piles are set in.

Every pile has a zone of influence on the soil around it. The piles must be
placed with care so that loads are distributed evenly throughout the entire soil
bulb that they are carried by, rather than being concentrated in a few areas.

The situations in which a pile foundation system can be used are as follows:

 When the groundwater table is high.

 Heavy and non-uniform loads from superstructure are imposed.

 Other types of foundations are costlier or not feasible.

 When the soil at shallow depth is compressible.

 When there is the possibility of scouring, due to its location near the river
bed or seashore, etc.

 When there is a canal or deep drainage systems near the structure.

 When soil excavation is not possible up to the desired depth due to poor
soil condition.

 When it becomes impossible to keep the foundation trenches dry by

pumping or by any other measure due to heavy inflow of seepage.
PILE FOUNDATION

Piles are structural members of timbers, concrete, and/or steel, used to

transmit surface loads to lower levels in the soil mass. This may be by vertical
distribution of the load along the pile shaft or a direct application of the load to
a lower stratum throughout the point pile.

A vertical distribution of the load is made using a friction or “floating”

pile, and a direct load application is made by a point or “end bearing” pile.

This distribution of piles is purely one pf convenience since all piles

function as a combination of side resistance and point bearing except when
the pile penetrates an extremely soft soil to a solid base.

Piles are commonly used for the following purposes:

1. To carry the superstructure loads into or through a soil stratum. Both

vertical and lateral loads may be involved.

2. To resist uplift or overturning forces as for basement mats below water

table or to support tower legs subject to overturning.

3. To compact loose cohesionless deposits through combination of pile

volume displacement and during vibrations. These piles may be latter pulled.

4. To control settlements when spread footings or a mat is on marginal soil or

is underlain by a highly compressible stratum.

5. To stiffen the soil beneath machine foundations to control both amplitudes

of vibration and the natural frequency of the system.

6. As an additional safety factor beneath bridge abutments and/or piers,

particularly if scour is a potential problem.

7. In off shore construction to transmit loads above the water surface through
the water and into the underlying soil. This is a case of partially embedded
piling subject to vertical as well as lateral loads.

Typical Pile configurations: