What are Piles?
Piles are long, column-like structural elements used to transfer a building’s load to deeper, stronger soil or rock layers when surface soil is too weak. They are made from materials like concrete, steel, or timber to help prevent foundation issues such as settlement, tilting, drainage problems, and wall cracks. This blog will cover the history of piles and their different types.
History of Piling
Pile foundations can be traced back to ancient times when large wooden logs were used as piles to support structures on soft soil. The oldest known example is a 6,000-year-old city in Switzerland, where wooden piles supported buildings made of stone and brick.
Roman Era:
During the Roman period, stone or timber piles were used to support bridges, aqueducts, and other building structures. The Romans also used piles to support their renowned Colosseum, which was constructed in the first century AD.
Middle Ages:
In the Middle Ages, pile foundations were commonly used in Europe to support buildings like castles and cathedrals. Wooden piles were widely used and were sometimes driven into the ground using a heavy mallet or a pile driver.
19th Century
During the 19th century, pile foundations became more usual and advanced with the introduction of innovative materials such as concrete and steel. The arrival of steam-powered pile drivers enabled the driving of piles deeper into the earth, supporting significantly heavier loads.
20th Century
In the 20th century, hydraulic pile drivers and some other specialised equipment was invented. Their emergence further enhanced the effectiveness of pile foundations. Today, pile foundations are widely used to support the foundations of different building structures where the land has soft, lose or unstable soils.
Types of Pile Foundations:
Over time, piles were constructed in different ways to support different types of building structures. One pile type is not suitable for all structures. Experienced piling contractors like Piling Contractors Kent guide you about the type of piling suitable for your construction site. Let’s discuss the different types of piles used in modern construction projects.
End-Bearing Piles:
These piles distribute the load of the structure to a soil bed of rock or extremely compact soil at the base of the pile. End-bearing piles are generally made of concrete or steel and are often used for structures that bear heavy loads, such as skyscrapers, bridges, and transmission towers. Piles are often driven into the earth by striking them with a pile driver until they reach the hard layer.
Friction piles:
Friction piles are designed to transfer the load of the structure to the surrounding soil through frictional forces occurring between the soil and the pile’s surface. They are generally used in grounds with soft soils or where the soil layer is not thick enough to support the building structure. Friction piles may be made of concrete or steel and are generally driven into the ground using a pile driver until they reach the required depth under the ground.
Compaction piles:
Compaction piles enhance the load-bearing ability of weak, granular or loose soils by compacting the soil around the piles. These piles are usually made from pre-cast concrete or steel and are inserted into the ground by a pile driver until the required depth is reached. Once the piles are driven, the surrounding soil is compacted using a vibrating hammer to increase its density.
Anchor piles:
Anchor piles support structures subjected to uplift forces, like tall buildings, skyscrapers or bridges. Anchor piles are generally made of steel and anchored to a solid rock or compact soil layer with a steel cable or rod. A pile driver drives the anchor pile into the ground, while the cable or rod is connected to the structure for extra stability.
Sheet piles:
Sheet piles are designed to offer lateral support to excavations, retaining walls, and cofferdams. Sheet piles are made of steel or concrete and are installed into the ground to create an uninterrupted barrier. They are often used in regions with restricted excavation space, and they can be installed quickly and effectively.
Bored piles:
These piles are formed by boring a hole in the soil and filling it with concrete. Bored piles are commonly used in challenging soils that are difficult to drive piles into or in locations with limited headroom. They are usually constructed from reinforced concrete and can serve both end-bearing and friction piles.
If you are looking for trustworthy piling contractors in UK, Piling Surrey is a dependable and registered piling company to book your piling project with.
