DEEP FOUNDATION (PILE FOUNDATION)

Pile Foundation:
i. A pile foundation is a deep foundation
ii. Pile foundations are different from footing foundation in that ratio of depth of the foundation to the size of the pile is
greater than four (Db/B > 4)
iii. A pile is a slender columnar structure buried inside the ground with the purpose of transferring load from a superstructure
to a deeper lying stronger and less compressible stratum or through water.
iv. A pile may also be used to carry uplift and lateral loads and also to densify cohesionless soil (e.g. sand) to increase its bearing
capacity.
v. Piles can be classified by Load Transfer Method and Installation Method.

4 (FOUR) types of classification of pile based on its materials:

i. Timber
ii. Steel
iii. Concrete
iv. Composite

THREE (3) types of deep foundation:

i. Pile foundation: is a long and slender structural element which transfer load of the structure to some firm stratum at a
considerable depth below ground surface.
ii. Well/ Caisson foundation: is a large hollow box or well which is sunk deep into the ground to support heavy loads. The
load carrying capacity of such foundation is very large. It transfers the load of the structure to the soil through end
bearing and skin friction e.g. bridge foundation.
iii. Pier foundation: are larger diameter piles which distribute the load of the structure along the entire depth of the soil
which it is located.

TWO (2) types of piles for each of these criteria:

Pile Installation Method:
1. Displacement Piles
2. 2. Non Displacement Pile
Load Transfer Method:
1. Friction Pile
2. End Bearing Pile

Bearing capacity of piles:

i. The ultimate load which can be carried by a pile is equal to the sum of the base resistance and the shaft resistance.
ii. The base resistance is the product of the base area (Ab) and the ultimate bearing capacity, qf at base level.
iii. The shaft resistance is the product of the perimeter area of the shaft (A s) and the average value of ultimate shearing
resistance per unit area (fs) generally referred to as the skin friction between the pile and the soil.
iv. The weight of soil displaced or removed is generally assumed to be equal to the weight of the pile.
v. Therefore, the ultimate load which can be applied to the top of the pile is given by the equation, Qf = A bqf + Asfs
The differences between end bearing piles and friction piles with sketches:
End Bearing Piles
End bearing piles transfer the load directly to the
pile base which rests on a relatively firm soil such
as rock, very dense sand or gravel and the base of
the pile bears the load of the structure. The load of
the structure is transmitted through the pile into
this firm soil. Examples of this type of pile are
preformed timber pile and in-situ reinforced
concrete pile.
Friction Piles
Friction piles transmit the load of the structure to
the penetrable soil by means of skin friction or
cohesion between the soil and the embedded
surface of the pile. It is more likely to predominate
in clays and silts.

The single pile equation for ultimate bearing capacity of piles in sands and ultimate bearing capacity of piles in clay

Qf (sand) = Abqf + Asfs

= Ab 0 Nq + As Ks 0 tan
Whereby:
Ab = Area of pile base
0 = effective overburden pressure at base level
Nq = derived from Table
As = perimeter of pile shaft
Ks = average coefficient of earth pressure along embedded length
(Ks = 1.0 for loose sand and Ks = 2.0 for dense sand)
0 = average effective overburden pressure along embedded length
tan = angle of friction between pile and sand

Qf (clay) = Abqf + Asfs

= Ab Cu Nc + As Cu
Whereby:
Ab = Area of pile base
Cu = undrained strength
Nc = 9 (Based on Skemptoms value for D/B > 4)
As = perimeter of pile shaft
= coefficient depending on the type of clay, installation method
and pile material.
Cu = average undrained strength

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The term Negative Skin Friction.
i. Negative skin friction can occur on the perimeter of a pile driven through a layer of clay undergoing consolidation into a
firm bearing stratum (refer to diagram).
ii. The consolidating layer exerts a downward drag on the pile, therefore the direction of the skin friction is reversed.
iii. The force due to this downward or negative skin friction is this carried by the pile instead of helping to support the external
load on the pile.

fill

Layer undergoing consolidation

Bearing stratum

4 (FOUR) advantages and disadvantages of driven steel piles:

Advantages Disadvantages
a) Easy to splice by welding a) Corrosion is possible
b) Structural capacity is high b) Vibration and noise during driving
c) Suitable for under water installation c) Not suitable for soils with cobbles
d) Displacement pile and boulders.
d) Cost is relatively high

Pile foundations are used under the following conditions:

a) When the soil near the ground surface or at a reasonable depth is too soft or loose.
b) When the loads are so high that there is not enough plan area to accommodate the size of foundation required.
c) When large lateral loads act on the foundation.
d) When the structure is expected to carry large uplift loads in transmission towers and underground structures below water table.
e) When the foundation is subjected to inclined loads, eccentric loads and moments.

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