Cost of Pile Foundation vs.

Other
Foundations for Construction
Projects
Selection of pile foundations based on cost vs. other foundations for construction
projects and factors affecting pile foundation cost is discussed.

Frequently, structural designer cannot reach concrete decision about whether to

choose pile foundation or ordinary strip or mat foundation for the structure. Especially
in the case of selection of pile foundation and conventional mat or strip foundation
constructed in a deeper level to meet a soil layer with acceptable bearing capacity.

All construction conditions need to have an indicator below which the application of
pile foundation prove to be cheaper compared to conventional strip and mat
foundations.

So, this article will try to draw the differences by which the selection of pile
foundation over other foundation types can be decided easily. This condition line is
created based on the moderately detailed cost evaluation of the foundation. Factors
that affect the cost of foundation would be discussed as well.

Fig.1: Pile Foundation Transfer Imposed Load to a Soil

Factors Affecting Cost of Pile
Foundation
Obviously, final decision on using the type of foundation cannot be made based on the
estimation of excavation volume and concrete quantity of deep mat or strip foundation
in comparison with cost of piles that support the same load.

Pile foundation needs a cap which its thickness is around 45cm for two piles and
60cm to 120cm for two pair of piles. Plan dimensions of piling cap can reach up to
2100mm2 for pile with diameter of 550mm. Pile caps may be joined together using tie
beams in more than one direction.

Fig.2: Pile Cap

It is claimed that, the excavation cost of pile cap, capping beams and tie beams could
be two times the cost of machine excavation in moderately large column bases. Not
only does the pile foundation needs structural design but also required higher degree
of supervision as the construction is progressed.
 Fig.5: Excavated Region for Pile Cap Construction
Therefore, the cost of excavation and concrete of pile caps and capping beams
combined with the cost of piling, its design and supervision would be a discouraging
factor regarding the selection of pile foundation.

Moreover, it is reported that the cost of eight-meter-long pile in combination with its
cap and capping beams is greater than the construction cost of 4.5m depth column
bases employing mass concrete up to the ground level.

This statement is concluded for the case where the foundations are built in dry
conditions in which the cost of machine excavation can be kept low, and each type of
foundation subjected to the same load. It should be known that this cost evaluation of
pile and column bases conducted for sizable structures like multistory building.

However, it is proven that the cost of pile construction for small structures, for
example, individual house is less than that of ordinary brick or concrete footing with a
depth of 1.2m.

The construction of piles foundation for individual houses will be cheaper if the
excavation can be conducted by hand and the project condition should be suitable for
cost effective, uncased, mechanically augured piles.

So, pile foundation would lose the economic advantage and consequently the choice
of pile foundation over conventional concrete or brick footing would be undesired and
uneconomical.
Additionally, if the strip foundation is narrow strip type with the same depth i.e. 1.2m,
then it is recommended to use the latter foundation type.

If the required depth of the foundation reaches water bearing sands and gravels, then it
is highly recommended to use pile foundation. This is because the excavation cost in
such situation is as much as two to three times the excavation cost in dry situations.

Pile foundation construction is substantially advisable if the soil at the site is

significantly variable. In this case, the selection of pile foundation would be
advantageous both economically and structurally.

Foundations should be selected and designed based on the soil condition at any
loading station. For example, if the soil type is compacted sand, then small pad
foundation can be selected and sizable isolated pad or combined pad foundation shall
be accepted for compressible soil.

It should be bore in mind that such foundation construction approach would need an
extensive and comprehensive soil exploration and investigation which is costly and
hence undesirable.

It might be suggested to construct foundation according to the soil condition that may
come up as the construction is progressed but this approach would increase the
duration needed for the completion of the project due to formwork construction. This
technique would prevent foundation construction planning in advance.

For such circumstances, the construction of pile foundation would eliminate the
majority of foundation construction issues because design and construction activities
can be arranged prior to the beginning of construction process.

Lastly, the length of the pile can be increased in the case where as the soil condition is
varied instead of increasing the number of piles. As a result, the settlement that the
foundation is likely to suffer can be ignored.

Read More:
Capacity of Pile Group and Efficiency
Determination of Piles Settlement by Load Test
Concreting of Pile Foundations – Workability and Quality of
Concrete for Piles
Pile Foundation Spacing and Skin Fraction in Pile Group
Construction