Pile Foundation Construction

Problems
• Pile foundation problems are discussed in this Presentation.
• However, there is a key aspect to be remembered and attended
during the construction of piles to avoid major issues in the
construction.
• We can not observe the condition of the pile or what happens
underground with the naked eye. What we can do is just to follow
the correct construction procedures to make sure we are doing the
quality control and quality assurance.
 1. Pile Setting Out
• One of the most important works to be done at the beginning of the
construction of a pile. If this goes wrong, everything that we do will be
subjected to the initial error.
• It is true that we can not always maintain the precision of the setting out to the
exactly coordinated given in the drawings. However, at least, it shall be made
sure to be with the acceptable limit of tolerance.
• In most of the guidelines, pile construction tolerance is specified as 75mm.
However, different guidelines specify different ranges based on the nature of
construction.
• If the pile tolerance is within the limit, the construction of the pile is accepted.
The structural designer shall be considered the acceptable tolerance in his
design.
Layout of piles
2. Excavation of Pile and Socketing
• There are many issues that we need to look into when the pile
excavation or drilling is done. Some issues are described in the
presentation

1. Collapse of the Excavtion

2. Excessive Water in the Pile
3. Lateral Movement and Uplifting of Adjacent Piles
4. In Adequate Socketing and Termination
 2.1 Collapse of the Excavtion
• Collapsing of the soil is inevitable in the
pile foundation construction. However, it
can be minimized by controlling the
density of the bentonite slurry.

• Periodic checking shall be done to make

sure the density is within the acceptable
limit.
 2.2 Excessive Water in the Pile
• Since the excavation continues beyond the
groundwater table, water will seep into
the excavation.

• The bentonite level shall be maintained

regularly to avoid the water seeping to the
pile. Since the density of the bentonite is
higher there is less chance of movement
of water.

• In addition, the density of the bentonite

shall be checked regularly, and if required
necessary adjustment shall be done the
maintain the required density of bentonite
 2.3 Lateral Movement and Uplifting of
Adjacent Piles
• In general, the spacing of the pile is
maintained around 2.5 – 3 times the pile
diameter.
• There are possibilities for the movement of
surrounding piles when the pile casings are
driven.
• It shall be done with much care and doing it
with much control, lateral movement could
be minimized/avoided
 2.4 In Adequate Socketing and Termination
• Pile design drawings specify the socketing depth in the drawings. However, it is
a challenging task to decide the starting point and termination point of the
socketing depth.
• The socketing depth of a pile is decided based on several factors. Some of
them are information gathered from the borehole log, rate of the penetration
in the rock, rock sample observation, etc.
• Further, onsite tests such a point load test could be done to find the strength
of the rock. It can be correlated with the end bearing of the rock. Thus, we can
identify the condition of the rock, and accordingly, the termination could be
decided.
 3. Concreting Problems
• The issues usually observed during construction
and are highlighted as follows.

1. In Adequate Strenght of the Concrete

2. Voids in the Concrete
3. Bulging and Necking
 3.1 In Adequate Strenght of the Concrete
• Generally, piles are cast from the grade 30 concretes. This value may vary
from country to country.
• Inadequate compressive strength of the concrete in the pile leads to severe
issues in the construction.
• Since the pile is an underground structure, it is very difficult to rectify. If the
real application of load exceeds the pile capacity, additional piles could be
constructed.
 3.2 Voids in the Concrete
• Since the self compacting concrete is poured into the pile, no vibration is
required. Further, due to the depth of the pile, it is very difficult to vibrate
the concrete for the better commotion.
• Due to the construction issues, cavities could be created in the pile. It could
be due to the poor quality of the concrete and inconsistency in the
workability of the concrete.
• Regular checking and monitoring the quality of concrete could avoid these
issues.
 3.4 Bulging and Necking
• Concrete could bulge or it could
necking during the construction.
• Necking of the pile cold exposes the
reinforcement cage and it leads to
reduce the cross-section area of the
pile.
• Reduction of the pile cross-sectional
area of the pile leads to reduce the
load-carrying capacity of the pile.
 4. Reinforcement Cage Movement
• The issues usually observed during Reinforcement works and are highlighted
as follows.
1. Lifting of Reinforcement Cage
2. Lack of Cover to the Reinforcement
 4.1 Lifting of Reinforcement Cage
• The reinforcement cage could be lifted if the
rate of pouring of concrete is high.
Therefore, concrete pouring shall be done in
a controlled manner.
• Once the case is lifted, we cannot lower it.
Lifting the cage beyond the socketing length
causes sever issue in the pile construction.
• It could lead to abandoning the pile.
 4.2 Lack of Cover to the Reinforcement
• Lateral movement of the reinforcement cage could lead
to exposing it from one side. It could be due to the
collapsing the soil from one side of the pile excavation.