Timber Piles

These could be used for associative lightly loaded structures located within compressive types of soils along with high ground water level. Timber has a high weight to strength ratio and could be cut, shaped and handled simply. If timber piles are wholly within a submerged condition they have a long life. If the subsoil water level is high, the piles could be cut off, at the top, below this stages and a concrete pile cap is as display in Figure (a).

                            Figure (a): Timber Pile with Concrete Cap

Timber used for the piles has to be of better quality such as teak, sal, deodar etc. it should be straight grained and free from defects. The piles should be treated along with timber preservative. Timber piles could be of square or round section. Round section is preferable as cutting to square shape erased part of the outer sapwood that is absorptive to preservatives.

Piles are driven within the soil through the drop hammer of a pile driving machine. For facilitating driving, the lower end is given along with a cast iron conical shoe and the head is avoid from splitting through means of a mild steel hoop as display in Figure (b).

                           Figure (b): Timber Pile with MS Hoop and CI Shoe

Timber piles are associative cheaper and simple to drive but get deteriorated and decayed particularly while subjected to alternative drying and wetting. That cannot be used for heavily loaded structures.