Types of Piling

What are the different types of piles?

There are two main types of piles used in construction, each with their own benefits and applications:

End-bearing piles – support structural loads by bearing on hard or dense soil or rock at the bottom of the pile. These piles transfer the load directly to the underlying soil or rock through end-bearing resistance.
Friction piles – transfer the load of the structure through frictional resistance along the sides of the pile as it is driven or drilled into the soil.

A pile foundation is a type of foundation system that uses piles to support a structure. The piles serve as individual supports for the piled foundation, transferring the load from the building to the ground below. Pile foundations can make use of end-bearing piles or friction piles – or a combination of the two, depending on soil conditions and project requirements.

A Soilmec SF50 piling rig being used to install CFA piles at the Triton Knoll Offshore Windfarm project.

Types of Piling

There are different types of piling, often named after their piling technique or method:

Driven Precast Concrete Piling

Driven Precast Concrete piles are one of the most common types of piles. They are driven into the ground using a pile driver. The process of driving the piles into the ground compacts the soil around them, providing a stable foundation for the structure above. They can be installed quickly and at a relatively low cost compared to other deep foundation options. Additionally, they can be used in a variety of soil conditions, making them a versatile choice for construction projects in different locations.

Timber Piles

The oldest and currently rarely used type of pile are Timber piles. Prefabricated timber piles are used to make foundations for all types of constructions, practically in all soil conditions. Typically, the prefabricated timber is pressure protected and the type of protection is selected for a specific type of soil. Advantages of installing Timber piles include low material cost, durability, ease of transport and can be cut with a chainsaw to achieve the desired length.

H-Section Piles

H-Section piles are steel beams that are driven into the earth by pile driving machinery. The tough and durable cross sections provide excellent driving characteristics when driving in difficult soil and rock conditions. Steel H-Section piles are structural square beams that are available in a wide variety of sizes and can also be used for marine structure applications. H-Section piles can be used extensively for deep foundation applications to add stiffness and support to sheet pile walls, King Post Walls and foundations.

CFA Piles

Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles are constructed by drilling into the ground while simultaneously pumping concrete through the hole. The auger holds the soil surrounding the hole, eliminating the need for temporary casings and support fluids. Once the desired depth has been met, the concrete mix is pumped through the hallow stem. When the auger is gradually withdrawn from the ground, it leaves behind a column of concrete, creating a continuous pile.

Bored Piles

Bored piles, also known as drilled, cast-in-place or replacement piles, are constructed by boring a hole into the ground using a pile rig, installing a steel reinforcement cage and then filling it with concrete and removing the case. They are typically used in areas with difficult soil conditions, such as in soft clay, loose sand, or where groundwater is present. Bored piles are more compact than other conventional methods, allowing work to be delivered within confined sites.

Mini Piles

Mini piles also known as Sectional Flight Auger piles, are the smallest type of piles. These piles can be made from reinforced steel or concrete. They have a small diameter compared to other types of piles (less than 300mm) and are installed by drilling or driving into the ground using a mini pile rig. Unlike other pile foundations, Mini piles can be installed in areas where space is limited or access is restricted without disrupting surrounding operations. They are commonly used for underpinning existing structures, stabilising slopes and supporting temporary structures.

Driven Steel Piles

Ranging from 140 to 339 mm, Driven Steel piles are manufactured of a high grade of steel that lends itself very well to being driven into the ground for bearing piles. These piles are robust and can withstand high driving stresses which assists with overcoming very dense bands or obstructions. They are suitable for uncertain ground conditions and can be driven to depths up to 50 metres or more. Driven Steel piles can also be mixed and matched with Driven Precast Concrete piles for a commercially beneficial solution.

Sheet Piling

Sheet Piling involves driving multiple narrow sheets of angular material into the ground to create a retaining barrier or wall for earth retention and excavation support. Sheet piles are typically made of metal, primarily steel, but they can also be made of timber, vinyl or precast concrete. Steel sheet piles have interlocking edges for easy and efficient installation. Sheet piling can be used in many construction projects such as building foundations, retaining walls and underground structures.

Rigid Inclusions (RI)

Rigid inclusions are a ground improvement method whereby modulus columns are installed through compressible soils to increase bearing capacity of the ground and control settlements in conjunction with a load transfer platform. Rigid inclusions are typically installed using a displacement auger. The rig bores down to the design depth, pushing the ground laterally with minimal spoil generated. The auger is then removed, with concrete pumped through the stem as it goes to support the bore.

Do you Need Documentation for Piling?

While it’s important to choose the right type of piling for your specific project requirements and soil conditions, another factor to consider is the right documentation to ensure pile foundations are approved by local authorities or building control before installation can proceed. The required documents include site investigation reports, foundation drawings, integrity tests, piling logs, load calculations and so on.

Full displacement piles for a residential building

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