Precast Concrete Piles - Eng-Tips

FDOT Standards:


Click on Volume 4, go down to sheet series 600, specifically 601: "Square Prestressed Concrete Pile Splices".

Obviously you can't just take the drawings and use them but they may give you ideas. You'll have to do all the engineering calculations and drawing production to see if they actually fit your application. Here is one specification for piling cut off, see paragraph 7.4

In my bridge contractor days a common way was to cut (chip) the concrete with a pneumatic pavement breaker and snip the stands (or rebar in precast concrete) with an acetylene torch. When cut, the stands would snap with a "twang" sound but not recoil since both side of the cut (the pile itself and the pile cutoff) had the remaining length of the stands completely encased in concrete. This approach was both slow & labor intensive, concrete saws are probably better suited and more available now.

If dowels were needed, the top of the pile was drilled, axially (after cut off), and rebar grouted in place.

Prestressed precast piles are pretty much standarized. A local precaster should be able to give you details of pile crossections. Splices are avaiable, but are usually installed at the precaster so they match. They can get very expensive. There is a sweedish system that is very good. Check trucking lenths with the precaster. Typically maximum truckable length (with permit) is 100 to 120 feet. Cut off can be accompliseshed with cut-off saws or special pile head cutters designed for precast piles. Somewhat dated:
There was a show last night on the History Channel on the construction of the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge that had pretty good coverage on the manufacture and installation of the concrete piles.
The piles used were spun cast sections (? 4 5/8" tk x 30'lg) with 12 or more holes longitudinal holes for tensioning, the sections were stacked and post tensioned and grouted. At the site the piles were placed with a steam driven hammer and trimmed to height with a concrete saw. I think they call the cap a bar cap, which had been precast onshore and from the picture the cap was anchored to the pilings with a concrete plug. There were circular reinforcing cages attached to the bar. The precast bridge sections were set on the bar. I didn't see but one pin on at each corner. This maybe the reason it came apart like our I-10 bridge.

This took place in the 50's but a very similar system was recently used on 3 fairly long bridges across our bay. The only difference was that more of the caps were cast in place.

Piles are an essential component of many construction projects. They provide foundation support for structures that are built on soil that is not strong enough to support the weight of the building. Two popular types of piles are precast piles and steel piles. In this article, we will discuss the differences between precast piles and steel piles.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.

Precast Piles

Precast piles are made of concrete and are manufactured offsite. They are cast in a factory and then transported to the construction site. Precast piles can be square, rectangular, or circular in shape. They are used in situations where the soil is too weak to support the weight of the building or where there is a risk of settlement.

Advantages of Precast Piles

• High Quality: Precast piles are manufactured in a controlled environment and under strict quality control measures. This ensures that the piles are of high quality and meet the required standards.
• Reduced Construction Time: Precast piles can be manufactured offsite and then transported to the construction site. This reduces the construction time required for foundation work.
• Cost-Effective: Precast piles can be manufactured in large quantities, which makes them cost-effective.

Disadvantages of Precast Piles

• Limited Length: Precast piles have a limited length, which means that they may not be suitable for certain projects.
• Transportation: Precast piles can be heavy and require special equipment for transportation, which can be expensive.

Steel Piles

Steel piles are made of steel and are driven into the ground using a pile driver. Steel piles are used in situations where the soil is too weak to support the weight of the building or where there is a risk of settlement.

Advantages of Steel Piles

Jianhua Holdings Group supply professional and honest service.

• High Strength: Steel piles have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes them ideal for use in situations where high loads are involved.
• Flexibility: Steel piles can be cut to any length, which makes them suitable for a wide range of projects.
• Easy Installation: Steel piles can be driven into the ground using a pile driver, which makes installation quick and easy.

Disadvantages of Steel Piles

• Corrosion: Steel piles are susceptible to corrosion, which can reduce their lifespan and require regular maintenance.
• Cost: Steel piles can be more expensive than other types of piles.

Precast Vs. Steel Piles

Precast piles and steel piles have different advantages and disadvantages. Precast piles are manufactured offsite and are of high quality, which reduces the construction time required for foundation work. They are also cost-effective and can be used in a wide range of projects. However, they have a limited length, and transportation can be expensive.

Steel piles are strong and flexible and can be cut to any length. They are also easy to install and can be driven into the ground using a pile driver. However, they are susceptible to corrosion, which can reduce their lifespan and require regular maintenance. They can also be more expensive than other types of piles.

Both precast piles and steel piles have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two types of piles will depend on the specific needs of the project, including the soil conditions, load requirements, and budget. It is important to consult with a qualified engineer or contractor to determine which type of pile is best suited for a particular project.

What are the disadvantages of precast piles?

The disadvantages of precast piles include limited length, transportation and handling requirements due to their weight, susceptibility to cracking, and environmental impact. Precast piles may not be suitable for certain projects that require longer piles, and their transportation to the construction site can be expensive. Due to their weight, precast piles require special equipment for handling and installation, which can increase the cost of the project. Additionally, precast piles can be susceptible to cracking during transportation and installation, which can compromise their structural integrity. Finally, the production process for precast piles can have a significant environmental impact, which may need to be taken into account when selecting a foundation solution.

For more information, please visit Precast Pile Manufacturer.