Difference Between Piles are Piers
Piles and piers are two very confusing terms. There are times when even the civil engineers are confused on this matter. They would use piers for piles and piles for piers while talking about the idea.
Although both, piles and piers are different types of deep foundation used in construction, the functions are entirely different.
Definitions
For beginners, a pier is a column designed to support any concentrated load. You must be familiar with the term Screw piers. It is the vastly popular kind of piers. It is visible on the ground.
On the contrary, a pile is a concrete, wood, or steel column, which’s function, is to carry a vertical load. It is not visible on the ground and is hidden deep inside the crust of the earth.
The piers are installed to support a concentrated load; the whole process is called underpinning.
Let’s discuss the difference between Piles and Piers:
The Installation
The primary difference between piles and piers is the way both are installed. The piles are driven into the land through the overburdened soils into a layer or a series of layers in the ground.
Piers, however, are drilled into the ground or in the piles by with the help of a drilling machine to provide extra strength.
The Land
Piles are installed into the grounds where the ground is soft and swampy; the piles from the depth usually sport river bridges.
The reason behind installing piles into softer lands is that any other regular concrete footing would sink or even crack.
Piers, quoting the river bridges again, the large pillars you can see inside the water are piers.
The piers support the bridge and work as connectors between the bridge and the piles. The piers are also used where on decomposed rocks or stiff clays.
Shift Of Load
Pile foundation shifts a load of any structure through frictional or bearing. Nevertheless, in some cases, both friction and bearing are used, collectively.
In pier foundation the case is entirely different, it only transmits load through the help of bearings.
The Requirements
Piles foundations are used in larger projects, like bridges, flyovers, and massive buildings. A set of piles is installed to resist greater loads.
Conversely, the piers are installed into a foundation when there is not so very heavy structure is built.
Types
One can trace the difference in between the types of both Piles and Piers too.
End bearing piles, batter piles, uplift piles, sheet, friction piles, anchor piles and compaction piles are all different kind of piles.
Drilled caissons, concrete or masonry piers are different kinds of piers.
Ending Note
Now, that the structures are piercing the sky all over the world and humans are thinking about constructing bridges over the seas too.
Piling has become an essential part of the industry of construction. Usually, both piers and piles are used together in more significant projects.
So, to be a better constructor, you must know the difference between these two generally mixed terms.