Concrete piles are used in pile foundations to ensure deep support for buildings, with two installation methods available. They can also reinforce walls and structures at risk of collapse, with engineers monitoring and testing their safety. Factors such as building size, soil type, and seismic activity can influence the decision to use a deep foundation.
A concrete pile is a component of a pile foundation that is driven into the ground to ensure that the foundation is deep. Pile foundations can use a large number of concrete piles during their construction, with the piles connecting to the footings of the foundation. The posts safely distribute the weight of the finished structure, reducing the risk of structural failure or collapse. People can often see examples of concrete piles in urban construction sites, as contractors tend to construct tall buildings in urban areas to maximize a building’s potential uses.
Deep foundations such as pile foundations can be chosen for a number of different reasons. In some cases, the size of a building may dictate the use of a deep foundation because a shallow foundation could not support the building. The underlying soil can also be a factor, as some soil types cannot support a building securely, and a deep foundation can be used to anchor a building to bedrock. Seismic activity is another thing that can influence foundation decisions, as earthquakes can be a safety concern.
There are two ways to install a concrete pile. One method involves drilling and casting on site. This is sometimes known as a “cast in situ” pile, because it is created on site. The other method is post driving, using a preformed post that is driven into the ground like a nail is driven into wood, except that a concrete post is much, much larger than the average nail. Reinforced, prestressed and precast concrete can be used for driven piles.
A concrete pile can be used for things beyond a deep foundation. Sometimes posts are used to reinforce walls, in which case they may be temporary or permanent. They are also used to reinforce levees and other structures that may be at risk of collapse.
Stacks come in a range of sizes. An engineer can determine which type of concrete post is most appropriate for a project and can monitor post placement to confirm that it is not compromised and to verify that it is capable of carrying a support load. Engineers use a variety of techniques to monitor and test piles both before they are delivered and after installation to confirm they are safe before proceeding to the next stage of construction.
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