A pile foundation is a very deep foundation. Made from steel, concrete and timber, the lengths of these can be found to be 4 times their width. They are planted into the ground vertically. There are many advantages to pile foundations such as high load capacities and corrosion resistance. Concrete foundations on the other hand can be just as good. They are typically found in majority of homes and buildings. They offer better performance and materials for contractors to work with. So, which is better? Before determining which type of foundation is best.
Read on to find out about some of the benefits of piling foundations over concrete.
Common uses of piling
- Pile foundations are economic
- When groundwater levels are too high
- When soil conditions are poor and cannot be worked on.
- When other types of foundations are not compatible
- When construction is located near large pools of water.
Common uses of concrete
- Structural applications
- Paviours
- Kerbs
- Pipes and drains
Pile foundations
Pile foundations can be pre-made according to the size of the site which means less waste and time more time saved. They can be installed in very large areas and in very long lengths too. Piles are used in place of where drilling and holes are not done. One of the best parts is that the work completed is very neat and clean. They can be installed quickly with equipment that is easy to manage. Once constructed, the piles are screwed into the ground, acting as anchors and locking the structure above the soil in place. Time and money are saved due to only a small amount of ground being dug out as well as materials not needing lengthy periods of time to dry and set. Structures can be fitted immediately and have limited impact on the environment. However, a pile can be damaged quickly by driving through boulders and cannot be above ground level.
Concrete
Concrete is used due to its strength and density when it comes to foundations. They are known to help prevent possible leakage and reduce basement water problems. It is also fire resistant which gives home owners the time to evacuate before a fire spreads. They are well known for being foundations for homes given their strength and stability. However, concrete foundations have proven to be extremely damaging to the environment and historically were only used due to it being inexpensive and hard-wearing. Concrete requires a lot of time when it comes to installing too. Without the use of large equipment, concrete can only be used at shallow depths which leads to corrosion. This can be very harmful to close by plants and buildings.
Overall, it seems pile foundations are less time consuming and save a lot of money when it comes to designing and installing. Not to mention the smaller impact it has on the environment long-term which throws concrete out of the picture.
