Materials for Piles

Piles, particularly of timber have been in use from ancient times and could be considered as one of the earliest innovations in foundation engineering. Therefore, it is only in the past few decades which appropriate methods have been evolved to analyse and design piles.

Construction of pile foundation needs a careful choice of the kind of pile and methodology of execution taking within consideration the soil strata, the level of subsoil water, the load features of the structure, limitation of settlements and any other special needs. The availability of materials, equipment and economic factors should also to be considered.

Piles could be of timber, concrete or steel. The earliest kinds of piles used were of timber although presently concrete piles are used to the maximum extent. Steel piles are rarely and expensive used.