Factors influencing the choice of piles

Question

What are the various factors that influencing the choice of piles during construction?

Answer 1

Factors influencing the choice of piles:

There are a number of piles available in the market but for the construction there should be appropriate choice of piles. There can be number of factors which influence the choice of piles. They can be:

Location and type of structure:

All those structures which are formed over water surface like jetties and wharves, the piles which are most suitable are driven cast-in-place piles or can have driven piles. But when there is some construction on land, the choice of piles become somewhat difficult. All the other piles can be taken depending upon the size of construction, its heaviness.

Durability:

This factor also affects the choice of piles while construction. For example, for marine conditions are fit for concrete piles, as the other piles steel piles may get corrosion. However, when the soil on which the construction is done contains sulphates or some other kind of harmful substances concrete piles may not be the best choice.

Ground conditions:

If the ground is having boulders it will not be economical to use driven piles. In loose water bearing sands bored piles will be better and similarly for cohesion less soils under-reamed bases should not be used.

Cost:

Among all the factors the cost involved has a great importance. The actual cost of material, the times required for piling in the construction plan, loading of the test, the installation cost taken up by the engineer, the loading of the pile, the cost taken up by the organization and all the overhead cost collectively form the actual occurring cost of the pile construction.