Introduction to pile foundations Objectives:Texts dealing with geotechnical and ground engineering techniques classify piles in a number of ways.The objective of this unit is that in order to help the undergraduate studentunderstand these classifications using materials extracted from several sources this chapter gives an introduction to pile foundations. 1.1 Pile foundations Pile foundations are the part of a structure used to carry and transfer the load of the structure to the bearing ground located at some depth below ground surface.The main components of the foundation are the pile cap and the piles Piles are long and slender members which transfer the load to deeper soil or rock of high bearing capacity avoiding shallow soil of low bearing capacity The made from these materials are driven,drilled or jacked into the ground and connected to pile caps.Depending upon type of soil,pile material and load 1.2 Historical Pile foundations have been used as load camying and load transferring systems for many years. strategic point of view villages and towns were situated near to rivers and lakes It was therefore important to strengthen the bearing ground with some form of piling. were driven in to the ground by hand or holes were dug and filled In 1740 Christoffoer Polhem invented pile driving equipment which resembled to days pile driving mechanism.Steel piles have been used since 1800 and The industrial revolution brought about important changes to pile driving system through the invention of steam and diesel driven machines. More recently,the growing need for housing and construction has forced authorities and development agencies to exploit lands with poor soil characteristics.This has led to the development and improved piles and pileIntroduction to pile foundations Objectives: Texts dealing with geotechnical and ground engineering techniques classify piles in a number of ways. The objective of this unit is that in order to help the undergraduate student understand these classifications using materials extracted from several sources, this chapter gives an introduction to pile foundations. 1.1 Pile foundations Pile foundations are the part of a structure used to carry and transfer the load of the structure to the bearing ground located at some depth below ground surface. The main components of the foundation are the pile cap and the piles. Piles are long and slender members which transfer the load to deeper soil or rock of high bearing capacity avoiding shallow soil of low bearing capacity The main types of materials used for piles are Wood, steel and concrete. Piles made from these materials are driven, drilled or jacked into the ground and connected to pile caps. Depending upon type of soil, pile material and load transmitting characteristic piles are classified accordingly. In the following chapter we learn about, classifications, functions and pros and cons of piles. 1.2 Historical Pile foundations have been used as load carrying and load transferring systems for many years. In the early days of civilisation[2], from the communication, defence or strategic point of view villages and towns were situated near to rivers and lakes. It was therefore important to strengthen the bearing ground with some form of piling. Timber piles were driven in to the ground by hand or holes were dug and filled with sand and stones. In 1740 Christoffoer Polhem invented pile driving equipment which resembled to days pile driving mechanism. Steel piles have been used since 1800 and concrete piles since about 1900. The industrial revolution brought about important changes to pile driving system through the invention of steam and diesel driven machines. More recently, the growing need for housing and construction has forced authorities and development agencies to exploit lands with poor soil characteristics. This has led to the development and improved piles and pile