Driven Piles

Simply stated, piles are structural columns that are driven, pushed or otherwise installed into the soil. Driven piles are the oldest type of deep foundation in existence and were installed using some form of hammer to drive piles into previously unexcavated soil. Until the end of the nineteenth century pile material was exclusively wood. Reinforced concrete piles entered the picture early in the twentieth century, as did the use of steel piling.

Interactions among piles and surrounding soil are complex and installation of piles generally alters the character of the soil, and intense localized strains are created near piles. Non-homogeneity of soils, effects of pile groups and pile shape add further difficulties to the understanding of soil-pile interaction.

A knowledgeable geotechnical engineer is able to select a pile type, estimate pile length, and choose the most appropriate method to determine ultimate pile capacity. It is important that piles be installed to meet design requirements as to compressive, and/or lateral and uplift capacity. This may dictate driving piles to a required ultimate capacity or to a predetermined length. Avoiding pile damage or cost overrun by excessive driving is also important. The use of wave equation analysis, dynamic monitoring, or static load testing can achieve these objectives.
Pile driveability is very important and must also be considered during the design phase.
AGRA Foundations Limited engineers have a thorough understanding of foundation loads, subsurface conditions, performance criteria, and current practices in the area where the work is to be conducted.

DRIVEN PILE TYPE SELECTION – GENERAL GUIDELINES

Loose cohesionless soil – Tapered piles, compacted concrete piles.
Deep soft clay – Rough precast concrete piles, closed-end pipe piles (also Bored Piles).
Coarse gravel - Prestressed concrete piles, H-piles, compacted concrete.
Boulders over bearing stratum – Heavy H-piles with points.
Negative skin friction – Vertical steel piles.

DRIVEN PILE TYPES

Steel H-Piles
Steel Pipe
Precast Concrete (Not Commonly Used)
Prestressed (Precast) Concrete
Timber Piles
Compacted Concrete Piles (also known as Compacto or Franki type Piles)

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	About Us Bored Piles Driven Piles Steel H-Piles Steel Pipe Precast Concrete Prestressed Concrete Timber Piles Compacted Concrete Piles Earth Retention Systems Ground Improvement Limited Access Drill Project Profiles	Driven Piles Simply stated, piles are structural columns that are driven, pushed or otherwise installed into the soil. Driven piles are the oldest type of deep foundation in existence and were installed using some form of hammer to drive piles into previously unexcavated soil. Until the end of the nineteenth century pile material was exclusively wood. Reinforced concrete piles entered the picture early in the twentieth century, as did the use of steel piling. Interactions among piles and surrounding soil are complex and installation of piles generally alters the character of the soil, and intense localized strains are created near piles. Non-homogeneity of soils, effects of pile groups and pile shape add further difficulties to the understanding of soil-pile interaction. A knowledgeable geotechnical engineer is able to select a pile type, estimate pile length, and choose the most appropriate method to determine ultimate pile capacity. It is important that piles be installed to meet design requirements as to compressive, and/or lateral and uplift capacity. This may dictate driving piles to a required ultimate capacity or to a predetermined length. Avoiding pile damage or cost overrun by excessive driving is also important. The use of wave equation analysis, dynamic monitoring, or static load testing can achieve these objectives. Pile driveability is very important and must also be considered during the design phase. AGRA Foundations Limited engineers have a thorough understanding of foundation loads, subsurface conditions, performance criteria, and current practices in the area where the work is to be conducted. DRIVEN PILE TYPE SELECTION – GENERAL GUIDELINES Loose cohesionless soil – Tapered piles, compacted concrete piles. Deep soft clay – Rough precast concrete piles, closed-end pipe piles (also Bored Piles). Coarse gravel - Prestressed concrete piles, H-piles, compacted concrete. Boulders over bearing stratum – Heavy H-piles with points. Negative skin friction – Vertical steel piles. DRIVEN PILE TYPES Steel H-Piles Steel Pipe Precast Concrete (Not Commonly Used) Prestressed (Precast) Concrete Timber Piles Compacted Concrete Piles (also known as Compacto or Franki type Piles)

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