What Are Timber Piles?

About Timber Piles

The oldest, currently rarely used, type of piles are prefabricated timber piles. These piles are made from the trunks and trimmed branches of a variety of tree species. They are mainly used as a foundation for structures with low or moderate loads or as a foundation for temporary structures. [1]

There are structures across the world built on such piles that have been successfully used for up to 100 years. Examples of well-known structures which were built on timber piles include Old London Bridge in the UK, Pont Notre-Dame Bridge in France and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

driven timber piles

History of Timber Piles

Timber has been used for piled foundations for many centuries. For almost 6,000 years, tribes in Switzerland used natural logs as pilings to support their homes that were built on the region’s shoreline. Archaeologists have also uncovered a similar use of timber piling by Romans for bridges spanning the Tiber River dating back to 620 B.C. The Romans also built the first bridge across the Thames River in London in A.D. 50 on timber piling. [2]

Since then, responsibly sourced timber piles have been installed for many project types – mainly within marine working environments and low-loaded structures with a lifespan of up to 30 years. Timber piling has long been favoured for maritime construction because of its ability to absorb impacts and ease of handling over water. Timber piles are used for groynes and sea defence works as well as jetties, dolphins, fender piling and rubbing strips.

How Are Timber Piles Installed?

Before piles are installed, the prefabricated timber is pressure-protected and the type of protection is selected for a specific type of soil. Once the driven timber piles arrive at the site, they can be installed in the following steps:

  1. The site is prepared for piling. This may include clearing any debris and inspecting the ground conditions.
  2. The exact position of where the piles need to be installed is marked to ensure proper layout and load distribution.
  3. Using a pile driver rig, the piles are driven into the ground with an impact or hydraulic hammer. Holding it perfectly vertical, the rig hammers the pile into the ground and also acts as a crane. The depth depends on the soil conditions and the structural load requirements.
  4. Once the piles are driven to the required depth, they are cut and levelled at the top to ensure the correct height.
  5. A horizontal beam, also known as a pile cap, is usually placed on top of the piles to link them together and distribute the load evenly.
  6. The piles are inspected and tested before commencing further construction activities.
timber piling

Advantages of Timber Piles

One of the main advantages of timber piles is that it is a form of carbon sequestration when placed in the ground, which means it plays a major role in ensuring Net Zero compliance of a construction project. In other words, timber piles are a sustainable solution and can reduce carbon footprint. [3]

Other advantages of timber piles include:

  • Low-cost material, per ton of capacity
  • Available in a range of sizes and lengths
  • Can be cut to achieve the desired length
  • Renewable supply compared to other types of piles
  • Often pressure-treated, making them significantly stronger
  • Has a long history of successful application for low and medium unit loads
  • Easy to transport and drive into the ground with conventional equipment
  • Its tapered shape and full displacement characteristics are advantageous for developing soil capacity in shorter lengths
  • Strength in tension and bending applications
  • Off-cuts can be used for other purposes such as fuel

Disadvantages of Timber Piles

While timber piles have many advantages, they also come with some disadvantages:

  • Timber piles in water are prone to rot and decay
  • Can become damaged due to hard driving and insect infestation over time
  • Not suitable for hard stratum or boulders
  • Higher maintenance costs
  • Has a limited loading capacity, making them unsuitable for heavy structures
  •  Can be difficult to find high-quality, sustainably-sourced timber piles
Extension of Port of Hanstholm marine works

Written by Aarsleff UK
14 January 2025

Aarsleff Ground Engineering is a leading sheet piling supplier and contractor. We specialise in designing and delivering sheet piling solutions across the UK.

mark fuller

Reviewed by Mark Fuller, Piling Director
14 January 2025

Mark Fuller is the Piling Director at Aarsleff Ground Engineering. He has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge within the specialist piling and ground engineering industry throughout his 20 years of experience in the industry. Mark is directly responsible for the overall driven piling within the business, including technical and operational management of awarded contracts, development of strategic long-term plans and planning of recruitment and resource.

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