Challenging the perceptions of precast piles

Precast, driven pile groups represent a robust and cost-effective piling solution for many civil engineering and infrastructure projects. When appropriately applied, these foundations can offer a number of benefits over existing methods currently used in bridge abutment design (e.g. large diameter cast in situ concrete piles). This article outlines the benefits, challenges and ongoing research into the use of precast, driven piles as part of pile groups in bridge abutment design where complex loading conditions arising from construction on compressible soils are encountered. Issues surrounding installation, ultimate capacity, of both vertical and inclined piles, and long-term serviceability are addressed. Initial studies indicate that pile groups combining both raking and vertical precast piles can require beneficially lower amounts of natural resources over traditional design methods for a range of scenarios offering both commercial and carbon benefits. However it is recognised that concerns remain in the engineering community over the use of precast, driven piles in particular design scenarios. These concerns are explored herein.