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Classification of pile foundations

Short answer

Pile foundations are classified by material (timber, concrete, steel, composite), load transfer (end‑bearing, friction, combined), method of forming (precast or cast‑in‑situ), and method of installation (driven, bored, jacked, screwed).

Classify the pile foundations according to their material, load transfer, method of forming and method of installation.

Pile foundations are classified in several ways.

1. According to material

TypeNotes
TimberLight loads, temporary; length up to 15 to 20 m
Concrete (RCC, prestressed)Precast or cast-in-situ; durable and high capacity
Steel (H, pipe, sheet)High capacity, easy handling and splicing; corrosion
CompositeTimber plus concrete, steel plus concrete

2. According to load transfer

  • End-bearing piles: tip rests on a hard stratum or rock; shaft passes through weak soil. Load is carried by the point.
  • Friction piles: the load is transferred by skin friction along the shaft, in thick soft soil where no hard layer is reachable.
  • Combined piles: both end bearing and friction.

3. According to method of forming

  • Precast piles: cast and cured in a yard, then driven.
  • Cast-in-situ piles: concreted in a hole in the ground, with or without casing (bored, driven cast-in-situ).

4. According to method of installation

  • Driven: by hammer (drop, diesel, hydraulic) or vibratory driver.
  • Bored: soil removed by auger or rotary rig and concrete placed.
  • Jacked (pressed) and screwed piles for low-vibration sites.

Other classes: by displacement (large, small, non-displacement), by use (bearing, tension, compaction, batter, anchor) and by size (small-diameter micropiles).

✓ Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5

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