Pile Foundation: Definition, Type, and Its Advantages

In construction projects, choosing the right foundation is the key to ensuring the building’s strength and stability. One of the best choices for high-rise buildings or areas with less stable soil conditions is pile foundations.

This foundation type works by distributing the building load into harder soil layers at a certain depth, thus, it can prop up structures more effectively. Not only that, pile foundation also helps reduce the risk of cracking caused by ground shifting. 

In this article, we will comprehensively discuss the pile foundation’s types, functions, size, and materials that are needed to create this foundation. Let’s stick until the end of this article!

What Is Pile Foundation?

A pile foundation is a structure that consists of long and slender piles that are made of steel, concrete, or wood. Then, these piles are driven into the ground until the hard soil layers can support the building load. 

This foundation type is often used in land with low bearing capacity, such as muddy and watery areas because it is suitable for soils with soft and unstable top layers. In general, here are some pile foundation functions:

• Reducing the risk of land subsidence.
• Ensuring the multistorey structure’s stability.
• Supporting structure on soft ground. 
• Suitable for construction projects in humid environments. 
• Strengthen dock structures and port facilities. 

Pile Foundation Sizes

In general, the pile foundation sizes can be adjusted depending on the project type and soil condition at the construction location. 

Each pile dimension is designed to bear a specific load, with various lengths and diameters that are already designed so it can optimally fulfill the project's structural needs. 

The size of pile foundation is determined based on technical analysis that considers structural load, soil conditions, and safety factors.

Large-scale projects, such high-rise buildings or docks, usually use pile foundations with a large dimension, such as 40×40 cm or 50×50 cm. Meanwhile, for lighter buildings like residential houses, pile foundations with a smaller size, such as 20×20 cm, are already considered sufficient to fulfill structural needs.

Read also: Types of Building Foundations for Sturdy High-Rise Structures

Types of Pile Foundations

There are several pile foundation types you should know. Each type has its unique characteristics that are designed to suit the project needs and ground conditions at the construction site. Let’s see the complete explanation of each type below.

1. Wooden Pile Foundation 

Wooden pile foundation is generally used for small-scale projects or temporary constructions. These piles are made from high-quality logs that are resistant to humidity. 

Even though this foundation is more affordable than concrete or steel piles, wooden pile foundation has lower durability and is susceptible to rotting or pest infestation if it's not covered with proper protection. 

2. Steel Pile Foundation

Steel pile foundation is made from high-quality steel that is known for its ability to prop up a heavy load. This material’s strength allows piles to penetrate hard or rocky ground which makes this foundation an ideal choice for projects in areas with bad ground conditions.  

In addition, steel has better flexibility compared with concrete, so it makes the installation process, including the cutting or splicing process, align with the real condition’s needs. 

3. Composite Pile Foundation

A composite pile foundation is a combination of several materials, typically steel and concrete, that is designed to increase bearing capacity and durability in facing challenging ground conditions. Steel offers a high structural strength, while concrete adds resistance to environmental pressure.

The combination of these two materials creates a really strong and durable pile foundation which makes it an ideal choice for big-scale projects that require high stability and maximum bearing capacity. 

4. Precast Pile Foundation

A precast pile foundation is made from reinforced concrete and produced in a factory before being installed at the construction site. This production process ensures a high level of precision, resulting in a strong pile that has optimal durability.

Due to its strength, this type of pile is an ideal choice for big projects, like skyscrapers, bridges, or other infrastructures that require high bearing capacity and long-term stability.

Read also: Bridge Construction Types and Foundation Varieties

Pros and Cons of Pile Foundation

There are several advantages to using pile foundations, some of them are below:

• Capable of distributing load directly to hard soil layers which makes this suitable for unstable ground.
• Increases the building's structural stability and reduces the damage risk caused by earthquakes. 
• Can be made from various building materials, such as wood, concrete, or steel, which can be adjusted based on the project type. 

Aside from its advantages, pile foundation also has several weaknesses, which are:

• The construction process of a pile foundation takes quite a long time because it involves complex production steps.
• It has a higher price compared to other types of foundations. But, it is still worth the excellent quality, strength, and durability. 

Materials That Are Used in Pile Foundation 

Let’s see what materials that are used to make a pile foundation below:

• Piles: These piles are usually made from reinforced concrete, steel, or hardwood. These materials are chosen due to their strength and resistance to structural stress and loads.
• Concrete: High-quality concrete is needed to fill and harden around the piles. This will ensure that the piles remain strong and stable in the long run. 
• Sand and gravel: Used as a filling material in piles to increase structural stability and ensure that load is evenly distributed across the foundation. 
• Additional materials: Depending on the project's needs, this foundation can be made stronger with steel bars, steel wires, or other supporting equipment. 

The selection of materials that are used in the construction is crucial so that the foundation can function properly. With that being said, Semen Merah Putih Watershield is the right choice to support your pile foundation’s reliability.

Water Repellent Technology in Semen Merah Putih Watershield offers Triple Protection for buildings, seep protection from three sources (inside, outside, and from the ground), making a building stronger, more durable, and requiring less maintenance. 

Semen Merah Putih Watershield is a super-premium and multifunctional cement that has various advantages compared with ordinary ones. This cement is the right choice to be used for various building applications such as foundations, concrete slabs, casting, masonry, plastering, and coating. 

Contact us now to get the best construction solutions for your projects! We are ready to help you in achieving project success with our great cement products and services!

Read also: Foundation for a 2-Story House: Types & Key Influencing Factors