Pile foundations are a type of deep foundation that supports structures and transfers load at desired depths. These foundations are typically long or slender columns made from materials such as reinforced concrete or steel. The load transfer can be achieved through either end bearing or skin friction.
To ensure the safe and effective construction of pile foundations, they are designed, constructed, and tested according to applicable codes and specifications. Common codes used for this purpose include ACI 543R-12, Eurocode 7, Indian Standards, and AS 2159-2009.
Pile foundations are necessary in certain conditions, such as when the top layers of soil are highly compressible, when there is a shallow rock level, when expansive or collapsible soils are present at the site, when dealing with offshore structures, when strong uplift forces are present on shallow foundations, and for structures near flowing water to prevent erosion-related problems.
Various Standard Codes on Pile Foundations in Different Countries
1. ACI 543R-12
ACI 543R-12 is a guide that provides recommendations for the design, manufacture, and installation of concrete piles. It is aimed at assisting various professionals, including design architects/engineers, manufacturers, field engineers, and contractors, in the use of different types of concrete piles for various construction projects.
The guide presents various types of pile foundations and discusses the factors that should be considered in the design of piles and pile foundations. It also introduces the materials used in constructing concrete piles and provides recommendations regarding how these materials can impact the quality and strength of concrete.
Additionally, ACI 543R-12 outlines the minimum requirements and basic manufacturing procedures for precast piles to ensure that design requirements for quality, strength, and durability are met.
Finally, the guide provides general principles for the proper installation of piling to achieve the structural integrity and ultimate purpose of the pile. Overall, ACI 543R-12 serves as a comprehensive resource for professionals involved in the design, manufacture, and installation of concrete piles.
2. EN 1997 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
Eurocode 7 is a set of design codes that addresses the interaction of structures with the ground. It is widely used in the design of buildings, bridges, and other civil engineering works. Eurocode 7 is composed of two parts, which are EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2. EN 1997-1, also known as Geotechnical design – Part 1: General rules, was published in 2004, while EN 1997-2, also known as Geotechnical design – Part 2: Ground investigation and testing, was published in 2007.
Section 7 of Eurocode 7 – Part 1 specifically discusses pile foundation design. In addition to Eurocode 7, there are other Eurocodes that are relevant to pile foundation design. These include BS EN 1990, which is the Basis of structural design, BS EN 1991, which deals with actions on structures, BS EN 1992, which is the design code for concrete structures, BS EN 1993, which is for the design of steel structures, BS EN 1994, which is for the design of composite concrete and steel structures, BS EN 1995, which is for the design of timber structures, BS EN 1996, which is for the design of masonry structures, BS EN 1998, which is for the design of structures for earthquake resistance, and BS EN 1999, which is for the design of aluminum structures.
3. Indian Standard Codes
The Indian Standard Codes related to pile foundations cover various aspects of pile foundations in construction. These codes have been established to provide guidelines and specifications for different types of pile foundations.
IS 2911 is a series of codes that covers different types of cast-in-situ concrete piles, including driven cast-in-situ concrete piles and bored cast-in-situ piles. This series of codes also covers driven and bored precast concrete piles. IS 2911 also includes sections on timber piles and under reamed piles. Additionally, IS 2911 covers load testing on piles.
IS 5121 is a safety code that provides guidelines for piling and other deep foundations. This code includes safety guidelines for the operation of pile driving equipment and provides recommendations for the safe installation of deep foundations.
IS 6426 is a specification for pile driving hammers, while IS 6427 provides a glossary of terms related to pile driving equipment. IS 6428 is a specification for a pile frame, which is used to support and position piles during installation.
IS 9716 provides a guide for conducting lateral dynamic load tests on piles, while IS 14362 establishes general requirements for pile boring equipment. IS 14593 provides guidelines for the installation of bored cast-in-situ piles founded on rocks. Finally, IS 14893 provides guidelines for non-destructive integrity testing of piles (NDT).
4. AS 2159- 2009
AS 2159-2009 is a standard that outlines the minimum standards for the design, construction, and testing of piled footing for building structures. This standard applies to structures located on land or immediate inshore locations. However, it does not apply to offshore or deep-water construction projects.
The purpose of this standard is to provide guidelines for the safe and effective construction of piled footings. Piled footings are an important component of building structures, providing a solid foundation that can support the weight of the building and withstand external forces such as wind and earthquakes.
While AS 2159-2009 is comprehensive in its coverage of piled footing construction, it is important to note that it does not apply to all situations. Offshore or deep-water construction projects may have unique requirements that are not covered by this standard. As such, engineers and builders working on such projects should consult with relevant industry standards and regulations to ensure that they are following best practices and meeting all necessary requirements.