1.5. Common Applications of Piles

Based on the application, so commonly, there are different types of uses of piles. So, I am just going to discuss few common applications, so one is a sheet pile and other one is your end bearing pile and friction pile.

In this chunk, we introduce the concept that piles have multiple applications based on their intended use. We mention two specific types of piles: sheet piles, end bearing piles, and friction piles. Sheet piles are primarily used for creating barriers, while end bearing and friction piles are used for load transfer in foundations. This sets the stage for discussing these applications in more detail.

Think of piles like different tools in a toolbox. Just as a hammer is best for driving nails and a screwdriver for turning screws, different piles serve different functions in construction. For instance, sheet piles act like a wall to hold back soil and water, much like a fence around a garden protects it from encroachment.

First let us see what are these sheet piles? The sheet piles so we might have seen this kind of steel sheet piles, so they are with interlocking joints, you can see that. So, they act like a rigid barrier for earth and water particularly during excavations or trenching.

Sheet piles are a type of pile that consist of interlocking steel sections. They are primarily used as barriers to hold back soil and water during construction activities such as excavations or trenches. These barriers prevent collapse and protect work areas from flooding, providing a dry environment for construction.

Imagine building a sandcastle on the beach. If you dig a moat around your castle, you need walls to keep out the water and sand. Sheet piles do the same for construction sites—acting as walls to keep soil and water in check, allowing work to proceed safely.

So, to protect the trench from the collapse, to prevent the trench from the collapse of soil, we go for this kind of sheet piles. For excavation or the soil conditions requiring temporary or permanent bracing to support the lateral load imposed by the soil, we go for this kind of sheet piles.

Sheet piles serve both temporary and permanent needs in construction. They are used when excavating in loose soil or near water, as they provide bracing against lateral earth pressures. This helps in maintaining the stability of the excavation site, ensuring that the sides do not collapse while work is being done.

Think of sheet piles as the walls of a swimming pool. When constructing an inground pool, you need to support the sides to prevent them from collapsing into the hole. Similarly, sheet piles maintain the wall of the excavation site, keeping the surrounding soil safely in place.

So, other types of applications are end bearing pair and the friction pile, based on the mode of load transfer.

End bearing piles and friction piles represent two different methods of load transfer. End bearing piles transfer the load directly onto a hard bearing layer beneath the soil, while friction piles rely on the friction between the sides of the pile and the surrounding soil to support the load. These piles are essential in situations where the surface soils cannot bear the loads of structures by themselves.

Picture a tall building needing a strong foundation. If the soils at the surface are soft like a sponge, you can't just place the building's weight on it directly. Instead, you might use end bearing piles that push down to strong rock beneath the sponge or friction piles that grip onto the sponge's sides, making sure the building stands securely.

So, if the end bearing strata the hard bearing strata is reachable it is within the reachable depth, then we can go for the end bearing pile otherwise we have to go for the friction pile only.

The decision to use end bearing vs. friction piles depends on the geological conditions at the construction site. If a strong foundation layer is accessible within a reasonable depth, end bearing piles are preferred due to their direct load transfer capabilities. However, if this layer is too deep, friction piles are used since they can effectively utilize the soil's friction to carry the load.

Like a seesaw, if one end can rest solidly on the ground, it balances well. But if my friend is too far away for me to reach when I want to push down on my end, I might need to hold onto the middle part of the seesaw for support instead. Similarly, we choose between end bearing and friction piles based on what’s reachable for stability.

The most of the piles you can see that they can transfer the load both through the friction mechanism as well as to the end bearing mechanism so that is also possible.

Many piles can utilize both methods of load transfer, meaning they can take advantage of friction when necessary and also transfer loads through end bearing if the conditions allow. This versatility makes piles particularly useful in various soil conditions and types of structures.

Think of this versatility like using a bicycle for different terrains: on flat ground, you might rely on speed, but on a hill, you might need to engage your lower gears to climb. Similarly, piles adapt their mode of load transfer based on how deep they are set and the soil conditions.

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