Choice of Pile.

Having found a satisfactory pile and a reliable and cooperative piling contractor for a particular
site and conditions, there is a temptation for a busy designer, with inadequate time to investigate
the wide choice of piles and systems, to use the same piling contractor for all future projects.
This understandable reaction does not make for cost effectiveness nor structural efciency. A
guide to the choices available is given below:

(1) The piling system must provide a safe foundation with an adequate factor of safety against
failure of the foundation on supporting soil.

(2) The total settlement and differential settlement must be limited to that which the structure can
tolerate.

(3) The pile should be the right type of pile for the ground conditions and structure.

(4) The driving of the piles and the load they impose on the soil must not damage neighbouring
structures.

(5) The piles must be economic and durable, and where speed of construction is important, quick
to place.

1 Ground conditions and structure

(1) When invited to tender for the contract the piling contractors should be provided with a soil
report, the position and magnitude of structural loads and the location of the structure together
with information on adjoining properties. They should also be asked to visit the site to inspect
the access for piling plant movements.

(2) Driven and cast-in-place piles, where the shell is left in, are used on sites over water (jetties,
piers, etc.), on sites known to contain large voids, and on sites subject to high water pressure.
Driven piles should not be chosen where the ground is likely to contain large boulders but they
are one of the best piles for loose-to-compact wet sands and gravels.

These types of piles are frequently the cheapest to use on building sites with light-to-moderate
pile loadings
and where the charges for moving onto site are spread over a large number of piles.

(3) Bored piles are frequently the lowest cost piles when piling into rm clays or sandstone and
when vibration and ground heave would cause problems to existing adjacent buildings.
(4) Jacked piles need something to jack against and tend to be expensive. Their main use is
therefore in underpinning when they can prove to be cost-effective.
(5) Steel H piles are often chosen when long length piles with deep penetration into sands and
gravels are required.
2 Durability
The ground conditions can affect the choice and method of protection of piling material. Sulfates
and acids will attack poor-quality concrete, some acids will cause problems with steel piles and
alternate wetting and drying can cause timbers to rot.

3 Cost
Piles are, or should be, chosen as the economic and safe alternative to strip and raft foundations
but there is more to cost analysis than comparing the cost per metre run of piles; there are on-
costs. In comparing piling contractors estimates it can be unwise to accept the lowest cost per
metre run.

Examination of extra over-costs for such items as extending lengths of piles, conducting check
loading tests, etc. is prudent. The designer should examine the piling contractors resources
available to complete the project on time, the length of notice required to start work and the
contractors experience in piling on similar sites. The contractors reputation should be
investigated and proof obtained of adequate insurance to indemnify building owners for any
claims or damage to adjoining buildings or failure of piles due to design and construction faults.

To the cost of the piles must be added the cost of excavation for constructing pile caps and any
necessary tie beams. This increases the cost of construction supervision and design.

Decisions must be taken early so that design, detailing, construction and planning can be
completed well in advance of starting the contract. Too often the time is restricted by delays in
site investigations, change of design brief, recent changes in contractors prices, etc.