PILE FOUNDATION

Proper selection of the foundation system (Well or Pile) is the most

crucial Engineering decision in a bridge project

Classification

I. Broadly classified as per fundamental criteria

• Precast piles
• Cast – in – situ piles
OR
• Displacement piles – Driven piles
• Non – displacement piles (Replacement piles) – Bored piles

II. Also, piles may be distinguished in the following different ways

• Based on the materials used for their construction
Timber, steel, Plain concrete, RCC, PSC or combination of any
two

• Based on the method of construction

Precast driven, Precast – bored, Bored cast-in-situ & Driven cast-
in-situ

• Based on load transmission

End bearing & friction piles

• Based on cross sectional area

Circular, rectangular, square, tubular, octagonal & H section

• Based on size
Micro piles – less than 100mm diameter but may also include
piles up to 150mm diameter
Small diameter piles: Nominal diameter is 600mm or less
Large diameter piles: Normal diameter is above 600mm

• On the basis of inclination of pile

Normal (vertical) piles & Raker (batter) piles

• Based on the end usage

Load bearing piles, sheet piles, guide piles, sand or stone
columns for drainage or consolidation
Comparison between Well and Pile foundation

Sl. Criteria Wells Piles

No
.
Massive, large carrying
1 Size capacity & large reserve
strength
Strata can be judged by
inspecting dredged soil and
better quality concrete is
2 Quality achievable
Can overcome smaller
Obstruction
3 obstructions but once struck it
s
poses major problems
No limit in open dredging.
4 Limit in DC Pneumatic sinking up to 33m
only
Size cannot be changed.
5 Flexibility Founding level can be changed.
Less flexibility
Generally low technology work,
6 Technology requires simple equipments
High due to large size and low
7 Durability
stresses
Speed of Relatively slow
8
CN
For very large spans, deep
rivers & heavy loads
9 Economy
In alluvial rivers with high
scour, very week strata and
10 Suitability
high loads or combination of
these factors
Slender (up to 1.50m dia in India)
& less reserve strength
Driven piles – Though the
concrete is controlled
subsequent damage may take
place. Strata cannot be
inspected. Bored piles – Concrete
under water require greater
effort
Driven piles – Difficult driving in
case of local obstruction. Bored
piles better than driven piles
No practical limit
Precast piles – Less flexibility
Bored piles – Offer greatest
flexibility
Large diameter piles require
special equipments for handling
and driving
Low due to slender and high
slump concrete
Fast
Driven piles depend on
magnitude of work (No. of piles).
Bored piles are often most
economical
In location where free standing
height is low, Fly over, ROB,
shallow rivers