Pile

How it is used

Used when the soil near the surface is weak. Piles are driven or bored and then tested, and their tops are joined by a pile cap. The work is called piling and is done with a piling rig.

Example sentences

1. The bridge pier sits on twelve bored piles, each 25 metres long.

2. Piling will be noisy, so we've informed the neighbours.

Common collocations

• bored pile
• driven pile
• pile cap
• pile load test
• piling rig

Related terms

• foundationThe lowest part of a structure, usually below ground, which spreads the building's loads safely into the soil or rock underneath.
• bearing capacityThe maximum pressure the ground can safely carry from a foundation without failing or settling too much, usually given in kilopascals (kPa).
• boreholeA narrow hole drilled into the ground during a site investigation to take soil and rock samples, carry out tests and measure groundwater levels.
• settlementThe downward movement of a foundation or structure as the soil beneath it compresses under load. Some settlement is normal; too much causes cracks.

More terms: Foundations and Soil

• footing
• backfill
• compaction
• retaining wall
• groundwater
• site investigation