4 Critical Factors To Consider When Choosing The Ideal Foundation Piling
Pile foundation helps distribute the weight to the stratum or material with an inadequate uplift capability to one that can support the load without causing detrimental displacement. Different pile types applicable to various soil conditions and structural requirements can also be found. The most popular piles include precast concrete piles, steel pipe piles, timber piles, mandrel-driven piles and steel H-piles. During the preliminary selection of your foundation piling systems, consider these critical factors to make an informed choice.
Constructability
The first thing you want to consider when selecting your piling systems is the effect of expected subsurface and surface impacts on constructability. Generally, piles that are prone to damage during the underpinning process are less likely to pierce through hard strata containing bedrocks. Furthermore, soil disturbances and vibrations during pile driving might cause considerable damage to adjacent structures or foundation piles. Therefore, consider selecting pile spacing to alleviate interference with other adjacent structures during pile driving. Cutting and splicing ease might also impact constructability.
Load Carrying Capacity And Pile Spacing
The pile's load-carrying capacity is a critical factor to consider for your foundation piling. When assessing the pile foundation's load capacity, it's essential to consider pile spacing alongside an individual pile's capacity. Often, its lateral load resistance might be critical because lateral loads generate higher bending stress in foundation piles.
Availability Of The Foundation Piles
Ideally, foundation piles should be available in appropriate lengths depending on your project requirements. If not, you might require splicing or cutting them to size. Often, project scheduling might make the lead time a vital element because specific foundation piles might take up to six months before they're delivered onsite.
Performance Of The Foundation Piling
Another critical consideration when selecting your foundation piling systems is their performance. Generally, you can define performance based on structural displacement, which can be as detrimental to structural integrity as a single pile failure. Thus, to enjoy better performance, ensure that you choose piles whose material's load capacity doesn't deteriorate quickly once installed.
The Cost Of Foundation Piles
Finally, you might want to consider their relative costs if the piles you choose meet the criteria above. It's prudent to compare load capacity versus pile cost. When evaluating costs, consider including extra expenses related to the piling foundation. These additional expenses can include splicing and storage costs. Furthermore, you should also factor in other expenses from hiring pressure release systems, among other pieces of machinery.
