Table of Contents
- What is Driven Piling?
- How Does Driven Piling Work?
- Types of Driven Piles
- What are Driven Piles Made From?
- Soil Types for Driven Piling
- Advantages of Driven Piling
- Driven Piling Across the UK
Last updated
4 September 2025
What is Driven Piling?
Widely used in construction projects of all sizes, from residential developments to major infrastructure and marine works, driven piling is one of the most traditional and trusted methods of creating deep, strong foundations. Driven piles frequently serve as the foundation for bridges, office towers, industrial facilities, and numerous other structures.
Valued for strength, speed and proven performance, driven piling provides stability for buildings or structures for several decades. The pre-formed piles employed in this method of piling significantly reduce the time required for foundation work, ensuring consistent quality throughout all structural elements.
How Does Driven Piling Work?
Driven piling starts with careful planning and site investigation as engineers need to determine the type of pile, the length and the material required. By analysing the ground conditions and taking into account the structural load, informed decisions regarding the driving technique and more can be made. Piles are then positioned using cranes or rigs before being driven into the ground.
The two main driven piling techniques are impact, where the pile is repeatedly struck and pushed deeper into the soil, and vibratory, which loosens the soil around the pile, allowing it to sink under its own weight and the force of the rig.
Driving continues until piles hit a target depth or produce a required level of resistance, which would indicate it has hit a load-bearing layer. Once in place, driven piles can be loaded immediately.
Types of Driven Piles
There are a variety of driven pile types that suit different soil conditions, load requirements and size constraints, such as:
- Pre-cast driven piles – These options are predominantly manufactured off-site to precise standards, ensuring high-quality and quick installation.
- H-Section steel piles – These driven piles are ideal for penetrating dense layers and providing a high load capacity.
- Sheet piling – Interlocking sheets of steel can be driven into place, often used in retaining walls or cofferdams. They can also be vibrated into position.
- Tubular steel piles – These piles are hollow and can be left open-ended or filled with concrete and closed.
- Bottom driven piles – Often used in areas with limited headroom or access, these short steel casings are driven from the base.
Choosing the right pile type is crucial to the success of a pile-driven foundation. Matching the correct pile type to the project ensures both structural performance and a cost-effective, efficient delivery. At Aarsleff, we’re driven pile experts, ensuring seamless progress in every project.
What are Driven Piles Made From?
Driven piles can be constructed from various materials, each of which is suited to a particular application or structural requirement.
Pre-cast driven piles are typically constructed from reinforced concrete, which offers durability and corrosion resistance, ensuring sustained performance over an extended period.
Piles can also be constructed from steel and are frequently used in the form of H-section beams or tubular piles. These piles possess exceptional strength, versatility, and the ability to penetrate dense ground or reach deeper layers.
A rarely used option is treated, lightweight, and cost-effective timber; this material is particularly suitable for marine or waterlogged environments. Other uncommon options include composite piles, which combine materials and protective coatings to enhance environmental resilience.
Soil Types for Driven Piling
Driven piling is most effective in soil conditions where the installation process can displace and compact materials, enhancing the bearing capacity. Examples of this include:
- Granular soil – Sand and gravel are well-suited for driven piles. Pile performance is enhanced in this soil type, as they can be driven easily and offer substantial resistance.
- Clay – Best suited to firm clay, which holds piles firmly without excessive deformation. In soft clay, driven piling may have reduced stress and bearing capacity.
- Mixed soil – Pile-driven foundations can penetrate weaker layers of mixed soil to reach stronger levels beneath. Driven piles are a strong choice for variable soil conditions.
Bottom-driven piles or steel H-sections can be utilised to meet the desired depth or bearing capacity in challenging soil conditions, such as hard rock or highly dense gravels.
Advantages of Driven Piling
Driven piling offers a range of practical and technical benefits, making it one of the most popular foundation solutions in the UK. Key advantages include:
- Provides immediate load-bearing as soon as installation is complete.
- Ensures consistent, uniform quality thanks to controlled manufacturing.
- Offers versatility across different soil conditions and project requirements.
- Enhances stability as the driving process compacts surrounding soils.
- Improves speed of installation compared to cast-in-place techniques.
- Delivers proven durability with materials such as reinforced concrete or coated steel.
Reliable, efficient, and versatile, driven piling remains a trusted solution for projects of all scales, providing consistent performance while meeting both engineering and practical demands.
Driven Piling Across the UK
At Aarsleff, we’re able to deliver driven piling solutions across the United Kingdom, providing expert advice and a range of pile types. We serve clients across a range of industries, including commercial, residential, rail and energy.
From city-based developments that require vibration control to marine environments that need corrosion resistance, we tailor each foundation to the project at hand. We are also committed to reducing our environmental impact, with sustainability playing a significant role in our ongoing work.
Need help with an ongoing project or looking for a quote for future works? Get in touch with us today.
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