Types of concrete piles and their use in construction

Building strong structures starts with a solid foundation. Concrete piles are one often used technique for guaranteeing stability. For the purpose of supporting structures like bridges and other heavy loads, these long, thin columns are driven deeply into the ground. Construction professionals can select the best option for their projects by having a thorough understanding of the various types of concrete piles that are accessible.

Concrete piles are made to fit a variety of situations and specifications. They are available in different sizes and shapes. For example, drilled piles are installed by first boring a hole, whereas driven piles are driven into the ground. Depending on the soil type, load-bearing requirements, and environmental factors, each method has advantages. This diversity enables builders to successfully address a broad range of construction challenges.

The three primary varieties of concrete piles—precast, cast-in-place, and composite piles—will be discussed in this article. In order to help you understand how each type contributes to dependable and safe structures, we’ll also examine when and why each type is used. Gaining knowledge about concrete piles will improve your comprehension of foundation solutions in construction, regardless of your level of experience.

Because they provide sturdy foundations for buildings and other structures, concrete piles are crucial components in construction. This article examines the various varieties of concrete piles, including cast-in-place, drilled, and precast piles, as well as their unique uses in various construction contexts. Through an awareness of the traits and advantages of each kind, builders can select the best option to guarantee stability and longevity in their projects.

Advantages of using concrete piles

Before beginning the structure’s installation, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the house on concrete stilts.

• The possibility of independent installation, regardless of climate, pores of the year, weather
• Supports can be installed on any terrain – hills, plains, steep slopes
• Piles are suitable for all types of soil, except rocky ones – in some cases, such a foundation becomes the only way to build a house
• Speed ​​of work – it will take several days to complete the task
• Relatively low cost due to small volumes of materials
• High bearing capacity of the foundation – one pile can withstand a load of up to 40-50 tons, the parameter is additionally increased by a grillage that distributes the load optimally
• Long service life – a foundation made of concrete piles guarantees that the house will stand for at least 100 years

The following drawbacks should be noted: certain limitations when designing a project (no cellar or basement), the requirement to use specialized equipment when carrying out the work, and the significance of excellent geological exploration to prevent unpleasant surprises and foundation destruction.

We can therefore conclude that these structures have many more benefits and are nearly universal when taking into account the foundation on concrete piles as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of piles

There are various kinds of concrete piles identified in the latest edition of SNiP, SP 2024-13330.2011. Prior to beginning the manual installation of a foundation on concrete piles, you should thoroughly examine the various varieties and select the optimal design.

• Pressed and driven – steel, wooden, concrete and reinforced concrete. Supports are driven into the soil without drilling with vibratory impact, vibration or impact machines. Rarely used in private construction.
• Vibratory driven reinforced concrete shell piles – the piles are driven into the ground, then the soil is removed, and the supports are filled with reinforcement and concrete mortar.
• Driven concrete and reinforced concrete piles – they are installed by pouring concrete mortar into a hole knocked out in the soil.
• Reinforced concrete bored – the supports are filled with concrete mixture into drilled holes in advance (the reinforcement structure is also lowered there).
• Screw piles made of steel with heads – they are made in factories, then installed by screwing into the soil. After the piles are installed in the ground, they are filled with concrete. Most often, this is the option chosen when building a foundation on concrete piles for a private house.

What grades of concrete are used

The most common method for pouring concrete into piles is to use heavy grades M500. The kind of piles has a big influence on selection as well. Reinforced concrete piles that are driven and bored are composed of a strength class B15 mixture. It is advisable to select a B22.5 solution when pouring reinforced concrete driven structures.

One grade higher concrete than the solution used to connect the prefabricated elements is used for the installation of hydraulic structures and bridge supports.

Characteristics of the piles used

Prior to beginning construction, it’s critical to understand the various pile foundation types as well as the primary characteristics of the individual piles.

• Driven reinforced concrete – precast or monolithic structures that are placed using presses, hammers, vibration equipment without preliminary soil excavation.
• Shell (hollow) piles – installed in prepared holes.
• Cast – reinforcement is installed in the hole and filled with concrete mixture (this is the easiest version of reinforced concrete piles to make with your own hands)

The diameter, shape, size, and type of reinforcement in piles can vary. All of the foundation’s products are composed of premium concrete and steel.

The rods in the reinforcement frame are positioned in the longitudinal plane, and it can be either non-stressed or stressed. Concrete mini-piles can be used in certain situations.

• Strength – directly depends on the grade of concrete used for piles (minimum strength class B7.5, for driven supports it is usually B30 and corresponds to M400)
• Frost resistance level – also depends on the concrete used, designated by the letter F
• Moisture resistance – marked by the letter W
• Weight and dimensions
• Bearing capacity – directly depends on the dimensions, is up to 60 tons
• Type of construction and marking: С and СЦ denote universal solid and composite supports of square cross-section, СГ – rectangular, СО – shell, СК – hollow round piles

Foundation made of concrete piles

Concrete pile foundations are relatively inexpensive, can be quickly constructed, and are appropriate for all soil types (with the exception of rocky soils). They also ensure the structure’s strength and durability and resistance to various impacts. Large numbers of vertically submerged reinforced concrete supports connected by a grillage—a concrete frame—are used to create the foundation.

This option is most frequently used when designing industrial buildings, workshops, and small shopping centers, as well as when constructing individual buildings on extremely unstable soils.

Less time, money, and effort are required to complete the project; elevation differences can be leveled and the building can be made stable even in flood-prone areas.

The main strip foundation can be installed later thanks to the reinforced concrete pile foundation. Consider factors such as soil properties, estimation, and the viability of employing specific technologies, tools, equipment, etc. when selecting piles. Only a house project on cast-in-place supports can be implemented in private construction; other options call for the use of large machinery, craftsmen, etc.

Formation of the cost of a pile-driven foundation

Numerous variables affect the final cost of building a pile-driven foundation.

• The size of the piles, which is established after geological surveys
• Number of supports
• The cost of materials used in construction (which are used to drive concrete piles)
• Weight of snow cover
• Total weight of the building with partitions, roofing, furniture, people

All of these factors have an impact on the quantity and kind of piles that must be poured, which in turn affects the foundation’s overall cost. It is advisable to leave the pile calculation to experts because errors are not acceptable in this situation and even a small savings can have dire repercussions down the road.

As an illustration, we can provide the following numbers: A pile-screw foundation for a small bathhouse measuring 5 by 6 meters on dry sandy loam will cost approximately 35–45 thousand rubles in Moscow and the surrounding area. Similarly, a pile-screw foundation for an 8 by 10 meter frame building with a strapping I-beam and heads on dry sandy loam will cost 120–150 thousand rubles. The grillage will add 10–20% to the total cost, depending on the material and height.

It is essential for anyone working in construction to comprehend the different kinds of concrete piles. Each kind has a distinct function and can have a significant effect on a structure’s longevity and stability. The decision between driven and bored piles is influenced by various factors, including the project budget, soil conditions, and load requirements.

Concrete piles are important for managing environmental issues in addition to providing structural support. For instance, they can facilitate building in regions vulnerable to flooding and lessen soil erosion. Builders can guarantee the resilience and durability of their projects by carefully choosing the pile type.

Construction processes can be made more efficient by using the appropriate concrete piles. For example, precast piles can often be made in a controlled environment and can be installed more quickly. Because of their ability to lower overall costs and save time on-site, they are a popular choice for many projects.

Ultimately, the success of any construction project depends on selecting the appropriate kind of concrete pile. A well-considered pile selection strategy can improve structural integrity and guarantee that the building will endure. Having a thorough understanding of these options will help you accomplish your construction goals and make wise decisions, regardless of whether you’re a contractor, engineer, or homeowner.

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