Deep Foundations

Several Types of Deep Foundations Are Discussed Below.

Types of Deep Foundation

The followings are the types of deep foundation. 

1. Pile Foundation
Pile is a common type of deep foundation. They are used to reduce cost, and when
as per soil condition considerations, it is desirable to transmit loads to soil strata
which are beyond the reach of shallow foundations.
OR
Pile is a slender member with a small cross-sectional area compared to its length. It
is used to transmit foundation loads to a deeper soil or rock strata when the bearing
capacity of soil near the surface is relatively low. Pile spreads load either by skin
friction or bearing. Piles are also used to resist structures against uplift and provide
structures stability against lateral and overturning forces.
The followings are the types of pile foundations.

A) Based on Function or Use

1. Sheet Piles

Sheet piles are used for the following purposes:

To construct retaining walls in docks, and other marine works.

To protect erosion of the river banks
To retain the sides of foundation trenches

2. Load Bearing Piles

It is driven into the ground until a hard stratum is reached. It acts as pillars
supporting the super-structure and transmitting the load to the ground.
3. Friction Piles

Piles are driven at a site where soil is weak or soft to a considerable depth and it is
not economical or rather possible to rest the bottom end of the pile on the hard
stratum.

4. Soil Compactor Piles

When piles are driven in granular soil with the aim of increasing the bearing
capacity of the soil, the piles are termed as compaction piles.

B) Based on Material and Construction Method

1. Timber Pile

As the name suggests these piles are made up of wooden so they are known as
wooden or Timber piles. For these piles, seasonal Timber wood is used. The
diameter of the timber pile varies in between 20 to 50 cm.

Length of a pipe is taken 20 times that of its diameter. (For Example – 25 cm is its
diameter. Then, L = 20 x 25 = 500 cm). The maintenance cost of these piles is
more because as it is wood if it comes in contact with water then it can be damaged
by fungus or white ants. So care has to be taken.

Advantages of Timber Piles:

Economical where timber is easily available

Can be driven rapidly & as such saves time

Disadvantages of Timber Piles:

Liable to decay or deteriorate by salt water/insects

Low bearing capacity

2. Concrete Piles

The piles which are made with the help of concrete are known as concrete piles.
The diameter of these pile varies from 30 to 50 cm. Minimum length of these pile
is not taken less than 20 meters and maximum it can be taken till 30 meters.
Concrete piles are manufactured by following two types

1. Precast (Ready Made)

2. Cast in situ
1. Precast (Ready Made)
These piles are manufactured in the factory which is further transported to the
construction site where ever it is required. These piles can bare load up to 800 KN.

Advantages of precast piles

1. It saves our time as these piles are ready to install.

2. By using these piles the construction is done at greater speed.
3. For these piles, deep excavation is not required.
Disadvantages of Precast Piles

1. These concrete piles are costly.

2. As these precast members are prepared in a factory and then they are
transported to the construction site the transportation charges are also added
which increases the ultimate cost of these piles.
2. Cast-in-situ
These piles are made or manufactured on site where it is to be installed. So it saves
money as the transportation cost is reduced. These files bare load up to 750 KN.

Advantages of Cast-in-Situ Concrete Piles:

Not limited in length

Can be cast at any place
Requires less equipment

Disadvantages of Cast-in-Situ Concrete Piles:

Quality control is difficult

Load carrying is mostly done through end bearing only
Skin frictional resistance is very low.

3. Steel Piles
These files are generally in shape of ‘I’ or hollow section. It can be easily driven in
the soil because it has a very small cross-sectional area. These piles can be used as
a bearing pile but cannot be used as friction piles because if we use them as a
friction pile it can sunk in the soil due to structural load.

4. Composite Piles

When the piles are made from more than one material they are known as
composite pile. These piles are made from concrete and wood. These piles are used
in those areas where the water table is up. These piles are used in such conditions
just because concrete and wood both are good water absorbers.

Pile foundations are economic when

 Soil with great bearing capacity is at a greater depth.

 When there are chances of construction of irrigation canals in the nearby
area.
 When it is very expensive to provide raft or grillage.
 When the foundation is subjected to a heavily concentrated load.
 In marshy places.
 When the topsoil layer is compressible in nature.
 In the case of bridges, when the scouring is more in the river bed.

Causes of failure of piles

 Unequal settlement of the sub-soil.

 Unequal settlement of masonry.
 Horizontal movement of the soil adjoining the structure.
 Shrinkage due to withdrawal of moisture from the soil below the foundation.
 Lateral pressure tending to over-turn the structure.
 Action of atmosphere.
 Lateral escape of the soil below the foundation.

2. Pier Foundation
Pier is an underground structure that transmits a more massive load, which cannot
be carried by shallow foundations. It is usually shallower than piles. The pier
foundation is generally utilized in multi-story structures. Since the base region is
determined by the plan strategy for the regular establishment, the single pier load
test is wiped out. Along these lines, it is increasingly well known under tight
conditions.
OR
Pier foundation is a cylindrical structural member that transfer heavy load from
superstructure to the soil by end bearing. Unlike piles, it can only transfer load by
bearing and by not skin friction.
Pier Foundation is economic when:

 Sound rock strata lie under a decomposed rock layer at the top.
 The topsoil is stiff clay which resists driving the bearing pile.
 When a heavy load is to be transferred to the soil.

Pier foundation has many advantages:

 It has a broad scope of assortment with regards to structure. There are

different materials we can here to build a stylish view, and it stays in our
spending limit.
 It sets aside cash and time as it doesn't require broad removal of a ton of
cement. 
 Bearing limits can increment by under-reaming the base.

Along with the advantages, it has a few disadvantages as well:

 If one post or dock is harmed, it can prompt critical harm to the general
establishment.
 It can be vitality wasteful if not protected appropriately. 
 Floors must be intensely, vigorously protected, and shielded from critters.

3. Caisson Foundation
Caisson foundation is a watertight retaining structure used as a bridge pier,
construction of the dam, etc. It is generally used in structures that require
foundation beneath a river or similar water bodies. The reason for choosing the
caisson is that it can be floated to the desired location and then sunk into place.
OR

Caisson foundation is a ready-made hollow cylinder depressed into the soil up to

the desired level and then filled with concrete, which ultimately converts to a
foundation. It is mostly used as bridge piers. Caissons are sensitive to construction
procedures and lack construction expertise.
There are several types of caisson foundations.

1. Box Caissons.
2. Floating Caissons.
3. Pneumatic Caissons.
4. Open Caissons.
5. Sheeted Caissons.
6. Excavated Caissons.

Caisson foundations are economic when:

 The pile cap requirement is to be minimized.

 Noise and vibration needed to be reduced.
 It has to be placed beneath water bodies.
 Highly lateral and axial loading capacity is required

To conclude, the foundation is a structural supporting member that transfers the

total load form slab, beam, column, wall, etc. The main objective of the foundation
is to provide stability to the total structure and safely transfer the total load from
the structure to the soil at an optimum cost.