Structural and Civil Engineering Curriculum

Piles

Module from the Structural and Civil Engineering Curriculum curriculum.

Module 4 - Pile Foundations · Learning Objectives · 1. Select driven vs drilled shaft (caisson) by soil and capacity · 2. Compute axial pile capacity (tip + side friction minus FOS 2.5-3.0) · 3. Size pile group and check efficiency factor · 4. Apply uplift capacity (side friction) for tension loads · 5. Plan pile test (static or dynamic high-strain) · Pile Type Selection

Pile Type	Typical Capacity	Max Depth	Pros	Cons	Use
Driven CFA concrete	75-200 ton	80 ft	Fast install, clean	Vibration	General
Driven steel H-pile	100-400 ton	150 ft	Strong, penetrates	Corrosion	Heavy loads
Driven pipe (closed-end)	100-300 ton	150 ft	Good uplift	Expensive	Uplift
Drilled shaft (caisson)	100-1500 ton	100+ ft	High capacity single	Soft ground difficult	Towers
Helical (screw)	10-80 ton	40 ft	Torque installation	Capacity limit	Small structures
Micropile	50-200 ton	150 ft	Tight access	Cost	Retrofits

Source: Structural_Civil_Engineering_Curriculum_v1.xlsx · Sheet: Piles

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