Types Of Construction Piles Based On Their Function

The use of construction piles is not a new concept in the construction industry. Piles have been used for a long time and will continue to be used for a long time to come thanks to their important role. They are driven into the ground so that they can bear the vertical load of the structure lying above them.

Construction piles can be classified according to their function, or mode of load transmission. Here is a look at several types of construction plies based on their functions.

Bearing Piles

Bearing piles are driven deep into the ground until they reach a hard stratum lying underneath. They serve as pillars that offer support to the larger super-structure.

This type of construction pile helps to transmit the load downward to a level that the ground can comfortably handle. Bearing piles therefore only act as an avenue of load transmission from the foundation through to the resisting sub-stratum. They do not support the load by themselves.

Friction Piles

Friction piles are used in situations where the surface soil is very soft or weak up to a considerable depth. In these situations, the construction pile is able to bear the load it carried thanks to skin friction. Skin friction refers to the friction generated between the surrounding ground and the sides of each construction pile.

Friction piles are also referred to as floating piles. They are suitable for use with types of soil where the strength of the soil does not increase as depth increases.

Sheet Piles

Sheet piles are different from friction and bearing piles in the sense that they are not used for the provision of vertical support. Instead, they serve as retaining walls that help to prevent soil displacement.

A sheet pile will help to prevent lateral escape of soil when pressure is applied. They can also be use to enclose a defined area within the foundation as a means of protecting it from damage due to running water and leakages.

Fender Piles

Fender construction piles are those used to protect water front structures such as pool decks. Fender piles are made of typically made of wood and they protect these structures against impact and abrasion that may result from barges or ships among several other hazards.

It is not possible to exhaustively discuss all types of construction piles in a single sitting. Other pile types not mentioned in this article include batter piles, compaction files, and anchor piles. For more information, contact a company like ASP Sheet Piling.