What Are Pile Foundations?
Pile foundations use piles — long members of wood, steel, or concrete that can be driven into the ground — as substructures to support structures built on top of them. These foundations are often used in marine construction for bridges, piers, docks, oil rigs, and wind farms. They are also commonly used where poor soils will not support other foundation designs, and for supporting loads that would be too heavy for other types of traditional construction. Historically, the members used in pile foundations prior to 1800 were wood. Wood piles have been in use for all of recorded history. After 1800, steel piles were developed, and in the 1900s, concrete became available. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages, and all of them are still used in this kind of construction.
