Steel Pipe Application: Foundation Piling
Steel pipe foundation piling is a kind of deep foundation comprised of slender steel pipes that’s used to support a structure, such as a building or water tank, by transferring the structure’s weight to the soil below.
When Is Steel Pipe Foundation Piling Necessary?
Steel pipe foundation piling is necessary in one of two situations. First, if there is a weak layer of soil at the surface of a construction site, the soil will not be able to support the weight of a new structure and therefore a steel pipe foundation piling must be used. Second, if a very heavy building is being built (such as a high rise, bridge or water tank), the surface soil will be unable to support its weight regardless of the soil’s strength and foundation piling must be used. In both situations, the purpose of the steel pipe piling is to transfer the weight of the structure from the soil’s surface to the stronger soil or rock below.
End Bearing Piles vs. Friction Piles
There are two main types of steel pipe foundation piling: end bearing piles and friction piles. With end bearing piles, the bottom end of the pile rests on an underground layer of strong soil or rock. The end of the pile “sits” on this strong layer and presses against it to keep from shifting. When end bearing steel pipe piles are used, the load of the aboveground building is transferred through the pile onto the strong underground layer. In a way, end bearing piles act like building columns.
Friction piles, on the other hand, work more like a wedge in the soil. The friction of the soil around the steel pipe pile is what holds the pile in place, and this is what transfers the weight of the aboveground load to the soil.
Steel Pipe Foundation Piling Installation
Foundation piling can be installed in one of two ways: by cast in place piles or precast driven piles. Cast in place piles are made by hammering a hollow, thin-walled steel tube into the ground. The earth inside the pipe is then removed, and a steel reinforcement cage is lowered into the tube. Finally, wet concrete is poured into the steel pipe to hold it in place.
With precast driven piles, the pipe is first cast at ground level and then hammered into the ground using a pile driver. The pile driver holds the steel pipe piling vertically and hammers it into the ground by striking it with a heavy weight. The steel pipe is given a temporary cap to avoid damaging the pipe while it’s being hammered. The pipe is hammered until “refusal,” when the pipe will physically go no farther.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Steel Pipe Piles
Steel pipe piles have many advantages. They are easy to install, can reach greater depths compared to other kinds of pile, can penetrate through hard layers of soil, are easy to splice, and can carry heavy loads. The downsides of steel piles is that, if not properly treated, they are prone to corrosion, they can shift during the installation process, and they’re expensive when compared to other types of piling, like timber or concrete. Overall, steel pipe foundation piling is considered worth the cost due to its longevity and durability.
To learn more about steel pipe, head over to our blog titled "All About Steel Pipe".
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