Common Types of Steel Pilings
The common misconception that pilings are only used for big projects is actually still very popular. However, it’s not necessarily true- deep pilings are used in everything from industrial and commercial projects to residential properties. As long as the structure needs a solid foundation, pilings are used. The most popular are steel pilings.
Deep Pilings Have Many Uses for a Variety of Projects
Steel pilings are one of the most widely used advancements that we got from the Iron Age in the 1800s. They are rolled steel consisting of a web and a groove. This design allows it to lock with each other and form a solid foundation.
Generally, steel pilings fall into three different categories. There are varying lengths and widths, so it’s important to figure out which is one is best for the depth or project. The integrity of the construction could really suffer if the wrong kind of steel piling is picked. Each one has its own pro and con, and they’re all widely used and common for a reason.
Straight-web Type
If the pile is constantly subjected to tensile forces, then a straight-web type of steel piling is the go-to. It’s designed to interlock perfectly against each other, increasing the strength and ability to withstand tension.
Deep Arched-web Type
Also known as the shallow-web type, this kind of steel piling is best used when you need the pile to resist the stress of constant bending, like in a cantilever retaining wall. Once you’ve picked this type of steel piling, it will then be driven into the ground using a drop hammer. It will then stabilize a structure, especially those which are constantly exposed to severe elements.
Z Web Type
This type of steel piling is probably the strongest because it can withstand the most stress. If it requires maintaining it strength despite a very large magnitude of stress, then this is the steel piling that should be used.
To differentiate the three (although they share a lot of similar traits like strength and endurance to provide stability to structures), the straight web is all about supporting constant and repeated tensile pressure. The deeply arched steel piling withstands bending the best while the Z-web can handle the most weight.
How they’re able to display those traits depends on how they’re designed. Is the groove longer? Is the web wider? Do they interlock better? Compare the answers to those with the conditions of the area you’re putting them in and the overall plan for the building that goes on top, and you’ll have a very stable structure.
Sources: