Pile foundation, a kind of deep foundation, is actually a slender column or long cylinder made of materials such as concrete or steel which are used to support the structure and transfer the load at desired depth either by end bearing or skin friction. Pile foundations are deep foundations. Conditions where Pile or deep foundations are used:
- When the high groundwater table exists beneath the structure.
- When the superstructure load is high and non-uniform.
- When a highly compressible soil is present at shallow depth.
- When the structure is located near the river bed or sea shore, etc, piler
- foundation is suggested to secure the structure form the possible scouring.
- When a canal or deep drainage systems pass near the structure, pile foundation is suggested.
- When the soil condition is very poor and it is not possible to excavate the soil up to the desired depth.
- When it becomes impossible to keep the foundation trenches dry by any measure due to heavy inflow of seepage.