When To Use Pile Foundation In Safe Construction?

When foundations are required by law to be constructed in accordance with certain standards, they are also subjected to additional scrutiny. In many cases, the standard is very specific: The foundation must not only be of sufficient strength to support the weight of the structure above it but must be level and stable so that water runoff can drain properly. Wherever possible, however, builders and contractors will opt for less-intense approaches to ensure that the introduction of pile foundation in safe construction does not have negative consequences.

• Choose a stable footing design

A stable footing is the foundation design of choice when a structure is being built on a slope or an irregular surface. Stable feet are required to prevent either the soil in the footing or the structure above it from moving or shaking. Consequently, a stable footing design requires careful attention to detail. The footing design should ensure that the soil in the footing is not intrusive and that the ground around the structure is free of superstructure influence. Stable feet are required for two main reasons. The first is to avoid soil movement that could cause groundwater to migrate resulting in foundation flooding. The second is to avoid damage to the structure caused by heavy rainstorms.

• Choose a weight-bearing foundation instead of an earth-supported one

Weight-bearing foundations are preferred for a number of reasons. They are less likely to cause foundation settlement when heavily used. Pile foundations are designed to function only under load and cannot provide the same level of resistance to a settlement that a weight-bearing foundation can. Consequently, when a structure is built on a weight-bearing foundation, the builder places the heaviest items on top of the foundation and uses tie rods or other devices to distribute the weight evenly across the foundation.

• Install drainage provisions where necessary

In many instances, it is possible to avoid having to install drainage provisions where necessary. The easiest solution is to design the structure so that there is no standing water above the foundation. Many commercial structures are built this way and function quite well in this regard. However, whenever water infiltration is a factor in the design of a home, it is necessary to provide drainage. This may be a simple pipe drain or a more complex underground drainage system. If there is a choice between an earth- supported foundation and a weight- bearing foundation, the weight-bearing foundation is normally the better option.

• Avoid placing columns directly on piles or in trenches

A straightforward solution to this problem is to position the columns along the long sides of the building. This orientation allows the weight of the structure above to bear most of the weight of the columns. In contrast, placing columns directly on the pile foundation causes the pile to be unsupported and, consequently, subjected to greater uplift. This uplift is transmitted through the columns to the structure above and results in damage to the structure and/or foundation. 

What is more, placing columns in trenches is even more harmful. When water runs through a trench, it is subject to an increase in velocity that can travel hundreds of feet in some cases. This increased velocity can flow through the pillars and into the foundation. What is more, the increased velocity of water flowing through a column can cause an indentation in the column. This can result in greater damage to the structure and/or foundation.

Conclusion

While a stable footing design is the most straightforward approach to adding pile foundation in safe construction, other less-intense design strategies also provide benefits. The use of a stable footing design requires careful attention to detail. The footing design should ensure that the soil in the footing is not intrusive and that the ground around the structure is free of superstructure influence. Stable feet are required for two main reasons. The first is to avoid soil movement that could cause ground water to migrate resulting in foundation flooding. The second is to avoid damage to the structure caused by heavy rainstorms.