Fig: Pile foundation failure
The failure of the pile foundation may result from any of the following causes:- Lack of adequate boring
- Inaccurate soil classification
- Soft strata under tip of pile
- Inadequate driving formula (wrong data)
- Improper size of hammer cause insufficient penetration, too light or damaged if too heavy
- Misinterpretation of load
- Damaged of encased piles
- Buckling of piles
- Breaking of piles
- Vibration that cause lateral or vertical movement
- Flowing strata caused by adjacent excavation or bank sloughing
- Tension failure of concrete pile for lack of reinforcement
- Eccentricity due to bowing or falling out of plumb
- Decay due to lower ground water level
- Insect and marine borer attack and corrosion
- Disintegration of concrete due to poor quality of concrete or reactive aggregate
- Collapse of the thin shell of the piles
- Overweight due to earthfill.
- Early repair such as encasement or replacement
- Removal of partial load
- Underpinning