Classification of piles

Piles is classified in to the following with respect to material;

1. Timber
2. Concrete
3. Steel
4. Composite piles

Timber piles

• Timber pile is most suitable for long cohesion piling and piling beneath embankments.
• Keeping the timber below the ground water level will protect the timber against decay and putrefaction.
• Pressure creosoting is the usual method of protecting timber piles.

Concrete pile

• Pre cast concrete Piles or Pre fabricated concrete piles : Usually of square, triangle, circle or octagonal section, they are produced in short length in one meter intervals between 3 and 13 meters.
• They are pre-caste so that they can be easily connected together in order to reach to the required length.
• Pre stressed concrete piles are also used and are becoming more popular than the ordinary pre cast as less reinforcement is required .

Steel piles

• Steel piles are suitable for handling and driving in long lengths.
• Their relatively small cross-sectional area combined with their high strength makes penetration easier in firm soil

Composite piles

• Combination of different materials in the same of pile.
• One main advantage of the composite concrete pile is that the longer-slender-lower-upper pile is much cheaper per unit length than the shorter-wider-upper pile.