भारतीय मानक IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

Indian Standard

पाइल नींवों का डिजाइन और

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निर्माण — रीति सहं िता
भाग 2 इमारती लकड़ी की पाइल
(  दसू रा पनु रीक्षण )

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Design and Construction of Pile
Foundations — Code of Practice
Part 2 Timber Piles

( Second Revision )

ICS 91.080.20, 93.020

© BIS 2021

भारतीय मानक ब्रयू ो

B U R E A U O F I N D I A N S TA N D A R D S
मानक भवन, 9 बहादरु शाह ज़फर मार्ग, नई िदल्ली – 110002
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI-110002
   www.bis.gov.in  
www.standardsbis.in

 Price Group 5
Soil and Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee, CED 43

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard (Second Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by

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the Soil and Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division
Council.
Piles find application in foundations to transfer loads from a structure to competent sub-surface strata having
adequate load-bearing capacity. The load transfer mechanism from a pile to the surrounding ground is complicated
and is not yet fully understood, although application of pile foundations is in practice over many decades. Broadly,
piles transfer axial loads either substantially by friction along its shaft and/or by the end bearing. Piles are used
where either of the above load transfer mechanism is possible depending upon the subsoil stratification at a
particular site. Construction of pile foundation requires a careful choice of piling system depending upon the
subsoil conditions, the load characteristics of the structure and the limitations of total settlement, differential

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settlement and any other special requirement of a project. The installation of piles demands careful control on
position, alignment and depth, and involves specialized skill and experience.
Timber piles, currently do not find extensive use in civil engineering works, however, these piles have been
used for compaction of soils, for supporting and protecting water-front structures, and also as pile foundations.
The choice for using a timber pile is mainly governed by the availability of good quality structural timber, site
conditions, particularly the water-table conditions. Timber piles, however, should be avoided because of two
reasons, (a) to preserve the environment and green vegetative cover, and (b) at most of the places in India, water
table has gone down substantially which implies that the timber pile will be only partially under water, and this
condition is highly undesirable for durability of timber.
Use of treated or untreated piles will depend upon the site conditions and upon whether the work is of permanent or
of temporary nature. The timber pile installed should have its entire length embedded under water so that the pile
may not get deteriorated. They have the advantages of being comparatively light for their strength and are easily
handled. However, they will not withstand as hard driving as steel or concrete piles. Timber has to be selected
carefully and treated where necessary for use as piles, as the durability and performance would considerably
depend upon the quality of the material and relative freedom from natural defects. If the piles are perennially
under salt water condition, treatment of timber is not necessary since by immersion in salt water the life of the pile
will be very long. Timber piles are generally used for single and two storeyed structures in back water area where
bearing strata is available at a depth less than 12 m. Coconut/Palmyra tree trunks have also been used as timber
piles in coastal areas.
Also, timber piles are more economical and durable in aggressive soil or soils having high chloride levels. They are
also suitable where water table with high free CO2 exists, as such a condition can cause carbonation of concrete.
This standard is intended to provide guidance with regard to the selection and use of timber piles in foundations.
This standard (Part 2) was first published in 1965 and subsequently revised in 1980. The other parts in the series
are:
Part 1 Concrete piles
Part 3 Under-reamed piles
Part 4 Load test on piles
The (Part 1) of this standard consists of the following four sections under the general title, ‘Design and construction
of pile foundations — Code of practice: Part 1 Concrete piles’:
   Section 1 Driven cast in-situ concrete piles
   Section 2 Bored cast in-situ concrete piles
   Section 3 Driven precast concrete piles
   Section 4 Precast concrete piles in prebored holes

(Continued to third cover)

 IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

Indian Standard
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF
PILE FOUNDATIONS — CODE OF PRACTICE
PART 2 TIMBER PILES

( Second Revision )

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1 SCOPE 3.6 Butt Diameter — Diameter at the larger end of the
pile shaft.
1.1 This standard (Part 2) covers the design and
construction of timber piles for earth retaining 3.7 Cut-off Level — It is the level where a pile is
structures, shore protection, slope protection, cut-off in order to make structural connection to the pile
compaction of ground or to support structures up to caps or beams or any other structural components at

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two storeys. that level.
1.2 It also covers timber piles used for load bearing 3.8 Draft Bolt ― A metal rod driven into a hole bored
structures, however, in such cases, timber piles capped in timber, the hole being smaller in diameter than the
with a continuous reinforced cement concrete beam rod.
shall be used below the load bearing walls.
3.9 Factor of Safety — It is the ratio of the ultimate
1.3 Sawn timber piles, generally used in sheet piling, load capacity of a pile to the safe load on the pile.
are not covered in this standard.
3.10 Follower ― A piece of timber or steel or some
2 REFERENCES other material which is used following the main pile
when adequate set is not obtained and it requires to be
The standards given in Annex A contain provisions,
extended further. The diameter of the follower should
which through reference in this text, constitute
be the same as the diameter of the pile.
provisions of this standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are 3.11 Gross Displacement ― The total movement of
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based the pile top under a given load.
on this standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the 3.12 Initial Load Test ― A test intended to be
standards indicated at Annex A. conducted on initial test pile at the initial stage of the
project to determine the load carrying capacity of the
3 TERMINOLOGY pile by loading either to its ultimate load or to two and
For the purpose of this standard, the following half times the estimated safe load whichever occur
definitions shall apply. earlier.

3.1 For general terms relating to timber, reference shall 3.13 Initial Test Pile ― One or more piles, which are
be made to IS 707. not working piles, may be installed to assess the load
carrying capacity of a pile.
3.2 Allowable Load ― The load which may be
applied to a pile after taking into account its ultimate 3.14 Load Bearing Pile ― A pile formed in the ground
load capacity, group effect, the allowable settlement, for transmitting the load of a structure to the soil by the
negative skin friction and other relevant loading resistance developed at its tip and/or along its surface.
conditions including reversal of loads, if any. It may be formed either vertically or at an inclination
(batter pile) and may be required to resist uplift forces.
3.3 Anchor Pile ― An anchor pile means a pile meant
for resisting pull or uplift forces. If the pile supports the load primarily by resistance
developed at the pile tip or base, it is called ‘End bearing
3.4 Batter Pile (Raker Pile) ― The pile which is pile’ and, if primarily by friction along its surface, then
installed at an angle to the vertical. ‘Friction pile’.
3.5 Brooming — Separation of fibres at butt or tip of a 3.15 Net Displacement — The net vertical movement
timber pile, caused by excessive or improper driving or of the pile top after the pile has been subjected to a test
improper treatment or due to deceased timber. load and subsequently released.

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IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

3.16 Pile Line — The rope used to lift a pile and hold it a) Site investigation data as laid down under
in place during the early stages of driving. IS 1892. Sections of trial boring, supplemented,
wherever appropriate, by penetration tests,
3.17 Pile Ring — A metal hoop used to bind the head should incorporate data/information down to
of a timber pile during driving to prevent splitting and depth sufficiently below the anticipated level of
brooming. founding of piles but this should generally be not
3.18 Pile Shoe — A metal protection for the foot of a less than 10 m beyond the pile founding level.
pile to prevent damage or to obtain greater penetration Adequacy of the bearing strata should be ensured
when driving through hard material. by supplementary tests, if required.

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b) The nature of the soil both around and beneath the
3.19 Pile Spacing — The centre to centre distance proposed pile should be indicated on the basis of
between adjacent piles. appropriate tests of strength, compressibility, etc.
Ground water level and artesian conditions, if any,
3.20 Routine Load Test — It is carried out on a
should also be recorded. Results of chemical tests
working pile with a view to check whether pile is
to ascertain the sulphate, chloride and any other
capable of taking the working load assigned to it
deleterious chemical content of soil and water, and
without exceeding permissible settlement.
pH of soil should be indicated.
3.21 Routine Test Pile — A pile which is selected for c) For piling work in water, data on high flood levels,

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load testing may form a working pile itself, if subjected water level during the working season, maximum
to routine load test up to not more than 1.5 times the depth of scour, etc, and in the case of marine
safe load. construction, data on high and low tide level,
corrosive action of chemicals present and data
3.22 Safe Load — It is the load derived by applying a regarding flow of water should be provided.
factor of safety on the ultimate load capacity of the pile
or as determined from load test. d) General layout of the structure showing estimated
loads and moments at the top of pile caps but
3.23 Spliced Pile — A pile composed of two or more excluding the weight of the piles and caps should
lengths secured together, end to end, to form one pile. be provided. The top levels of finished pile caps
shall also be indicated.
3.24 Total Elastic Displacement — This is the
e) All transient loads due to seismic, wind, water
magnitude of displacement of the pile head during
current, etc, indicated separately.
rebound on removal of a given test load. This comprises
two components: f) In soils susceptible to liquefaction during
earthquake which shall be determined in
a) Elastic displacement of the soil participating in the accordance with IS 1893 (Part 1), appropriate
load transfer; and analysis may be done to determine the depth
b) Elastic displacement of the pile shaft. of liquefaction and consider the pile depth
accordingly.
3.25 Treated Pile — A timber pile impregnated with
a preservative material which retards or prevents 4.2 As far as possible all information in 4.1 shall be
deterioration and destruction due to organism. made available to the agency responsible for the design
and/or construction of piles and/or foundation work.
3.26 Ultimate Load Capacity — The maximum load
which a pile can carry before failure, that is, when the 4.3 The design details of pile foundation shall give
founding strata fails by shear as evident from the load the information necessary for setting out and layout
settlement curve or the pile fails as a structural member. of piles, cut-off levels, finished cap level, layout and
orientation of pile cap in the foundation plan and the
3.27 Working Load/Design Load — The load safe capacity of each type of pile, etc.
assigned to a pile as per design.
3.28 Working Pile — A pile forming part of the 5 EQUIPMENTS AND ACCESSORIES
foundation system of a given structure.
5.1 The equipments and accessories would depend
4 NECESSARY INFORMATION upon the type of timber piles chosen for a job after
giving due considerations to the subsoil strata,
4.1 It is necessary to conduct an extensive soil ground-water conditions, types of founding material and
investigation with particular reference to the presence the required penetration therein, wherever applicable.
of water table, its fluctuations and properties as for the
satisfactory design and construction of timber piles the 5.2 Among the commonly used plants, tools and
following information is necessary: accessories, there exists a large variety, suitability of

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 IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

which depends on the subsoil condition, manner of 6.3 Pile Capacity

operation, etc. Brief definitions of some commonly The load carrying capacity of a pile depends on the
used equipments are given in 5.2.1 to 5.2.7. properties of the soil in which it is embedded. Axial
load from a pile is normally transmitted to the soil
5.2.1 Dolly (Pile Cushion) ― A cushion of hardwood
through skin friction along the shaft and end bearing
or some suitable material placed on the top of the pile
at its tip. Allowable capacity of a pile is the ultimate
to receive the blows of the hammer.
capacity divided by a minimum factor of safety of 3.
5.2.2 Drop Hammer (or Monkey) ― Hammer, ram or
6.3.1 Vertical Capacity (Soil Resistance)
monkey raised by a winch and allowed to fall under
The soil resistance may be calculated by means of any

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gravity.
suitable driving formula depending upon how the load
5.2.3 Single or Double Acting Hammer ― A hammer is transferred. If the load is transferred predominantly
operated by steam compressed air or internal by end bearing, either Engineering News Formula or
combustion, the energy of its blows being derived Hiley’s expression or any other suitable expression with
mainly from the source of motive power and not from suitable factor of safety may be used. The minimum
gravity alone. factor of safety shall, however, be 3. If the pile transfers
the load predominantly by friction, then a suitable
5.2.4 Hydraulic Hammer ― A hammer operated dynamic expression which accounts for parameters
by a hydraulic fluid can be used with advantage for relating to friction as well as end bearing may be used.

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increasing the energy of blow. Alternatively, static formula as given in 6.3.1.1 of
IS 2911 (Part 1/Sec 3) may be used, however the shear
5.2.5 Kentledge ― Dead weight used for applying a parameters shall be considering interaction between
test load on a pile. timber and soil.
5.2.6 Helmet ― A heavy steel block between the 6.3.2 Lateral Load Capacity
hammer and the pile used to provide smooth surface
between them. The lateral load capacity of the pile may be calculated
as per the procedure outlined in Annex C of IS 2911
5.2.7 Pile Rig ― A movable steel structure for (Part 1/Sec 3). The value of k1 and k2 may be taken as
driving piles in the correct position and alignment those given in Annex C of IS 2911 (Part 1/Sec 3). Since
by means of a hammer operating in the guides of the values of k1 and k2 (modulus of subgrade reaction)
frame. for timber-soil interface are not well established, it is
preferable to conduct a lateral load test to determine the
6 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS lateral load capacity.

6.1 General 6.4 Structural Capacity

Pile foundations shall be designed in such a way that 6.4.1 The pile shall have necessary structural strength
the load from the structure can be transmitted to the to transmit the loads imposed on it, ultimately to the
sub-surface with adequate factor of safety against soil. The structural capacity of the timber piles shall
shear failure of sub-surface and without causing such be based on the permissible compressive stress of the
settlement, (differential or total), which may result in timber species as specified in 6 of IS 883.
structural damage and/or functional distress under
permanent/transient loading. The pile shaft should 6.4.2 The length of pile projected into the pile cap is
have adequate structural capacity to withstand all critical for ensuring lateral load transfer and pull-out
loads (vertical, lateral or otherwise) which are to be resistance. Effective transfer of lateral load may be
transmitted to the subsoil. possible with 100 mm to 200 mm projection into the
pile cap concrete depending on the safe lateral load
6.2 Adjacent Structures capacity. However, pull-out resistance that can be
developed by such small penetration may be limited and
6.2.1 When working near existing structures, care the use of timber piles for resisting pull-out resistance
shall be taken to avoid damage to such structures. may not be viable.
IS 2974 (Part 1) may be used as a guide for studying
qualitatively the effect of vibration on persons and 6.4.3 It is preferable to conduct an initial load test as
structures. given in IS 2911 (Part 4) to assess the axial capacity,
lateral capacity and pull-out capacity of piles. For
6.2.2 In case of deep excavations adjacent to piles, compaction piles, tests should be done on a group of
proper shoring or other suitable arrangement shall be piles with the cap resting on the ground. The acceptance
made to guard against undesired lateral movement of criteria shall also be as per the provisions given in
soil. IS 2911 (Part 4).

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IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

6.5 Spacing of Piles 8.4 Both the ends shall be sawn at right angles to the
The minimum centre to centre spacing of pile is length of pile and the surface shall be made flush by
considered from three aspects, namely, trimming the knots and limbs.
a) practical aspects of installing the piles; 9 PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT
b) diameter of the pile; and
The timber shall be treated in accordance with IS 401,
c) nature of the load transfer to the soil and possible especially where conditions are not favourable.
reduction in the load capacity of piles group.
NOTE — In the case of piles of non-circular cross-section, 10 WORKING AND DRIVING STRESSES

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diameter of the circumscribing circle shall be adopted.
The working stresses shall be as given in IS 883. These
6.5.1 In case of piles founded on hard stratum and may be exceeded by not more than 100 percent during
deriving their capacity predominantly from end bearing, driving.
the minimum spacing shall be 2.5 times the diameter
of the circumscribing circle corresponding to the 11 DESIGN OF PILE CAP (RCC)
cross-section of the pile shaft.
11.1 The method of analysis and allowable stresses
6.5.2 Piles deriving their load carrying capacity should be in accordance with IS 456.
predominantly from friction shall be spaced sufficiently

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apart to ensure that the zones of soils from which the 11.2  Pile cap shall be deep enough to allow for necessary
piles derive their support do not overlap to such an anchorage of the column and pile reinforcement
extent that their bearing values are reduced. Generally (draft bolt).
the spacing in such cases shall not be less than 3 times
the diameter of the pile shaft. 11.3 The pile cap should be rigid enough so that the
imposed load should be distributed on the piles in a
6.6 Overloading group equitably.
When a pile in a group, designed for a certain safe load 11.4 The clear overhang of the pile cap beyond the
is found, during or after execution, to fall just short of outermost pile in the group shall be a minimum of
the load required to be carried by it, an overload up 150 mm.
to 10 percent of the pile capacity may be allowed on
each pile. The total overloading on the group should 11.5 The cap is generally cast over a 75 mm thick
not, however, be more than 10 percent of the capacity levelling course of concrete. The clear cover for main
of the group subject to the increase of the load on any reinforcement in the cap slab shall not be less than
pile being not more than 25 percent of the allowable 75 mm.
load on a single pile.
11.6  The pile should project 60 mm into the cap
7 MINIMUM SIZE OF PILE concrete if the piles are subjected to only axial load
through the pile cap.
Piles used for the compaction of ground shall be not
less than 100 mm in diameter. However, in case of all 12 CUT-OFFS AND THEIR TREATMENT
other applications, butt diameter or sides of square shall
be not less than 300 mm. The diameter of the timber 12.1  After driving, pile top shall be cut-off to a true
piles at the tip end should not be less than 150 mm. plane and shall show a solid head at the plane of
cut-off. After cut-off the pile tops shall be treated with
8 TIMBER SPECIES a preservative (see IS 401). If metal top-covers are
specified, these shall be placed immediately after the
8.1 Only structural timber shall be used for piles. The
treatment. Any holes and cuts if required for framing
species of timber and their specification shall conform
shall be suitably treated.
to IS 3629.
12.2 Capping
8.2 The length of the individual pile shall be the:
Capping shall be done when the piles are in correct
a) specified length ± 300 mm for piles less than 12 m
position.
in length, and
b) specified length ± 600 mm for piles of length 12 m 13 CONTROL OF PILE DRIVING
or above.
13.1 The piles in each bent of a pile trestle shall be
8.3 In case of round piles, the ratio of heartwood selected for uniformity of size to facilitate placing of
diameter to the pile butt diameter shall be not less than brace timbers.
0.8.

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 IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

13.2 The pile tip shall be pointed (unless the driving is eccentricity cannot be taken care of by a redesign of
wholly in soft strata) in the form of truncated cone or the pile cap or pile ties, the piles shall be replaced or
a pyramid having the end 25 cm2 to 40 cm2 in area and supplemented by additional piles.
the length shall be 1.5 to 2 times the diameter or side NOTE — In case of raker piles up to a rake of 1 in 6, there may
of square. be no reduction in the capacity of the pile.

13.2.1 If the driving is to be done through hard material 13.6 Sequence of Piling
as stiff clay, gravels, etc, metal shoes of approved
design shall be attached to the tip. 13.6.1 In a pile group, the sequence of installation of
piles shall normally be from the centre to the periphery
of the group or from one side to the other.

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13.3 To prevent splitting and reduce brooming, the
head of the pile should be hooped with a suitable ring
13.6.2 Driving a Group of Friction Piles
or wrapped with wires.
Driving piles in loose sand tends to compact the sand,
13.3.1 The heads of the piles shall be further protected which in turn, increases the skin friction.
by the provision of cushion blocks.
In case where stiff clay or dense sand layers have to be
13.3.2 Use of followers shall be restricted to the extent penetrated, similar precautions as described in 13.2.1
of driving the pile up to the cut-off level only. Suitable need to be taken. This may be overcome by driving
connections shall be designed and provided to ensure the piles from the centre outwards or by beginning at

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that the verticality of the pile is not affected. a selected edge or working across the group. However,
in the case of very soft soils, the driving may have
13.4 As far as possible the pile shall have a single to proceed from outside to inside so that the soil is
piece of required length. If the piles are required to be restrained from flowing out during operations.
formed from two or more lengths, the butting surfaces
should be cut square to ensure contact over the whole 13.7 Defective Piles
cross-section of the pile. A thin steel plate placed In case defective piles are formed, they shall be
between the butting surfaces will reduce the tendency removed or left in place, whichever is convenient,
to brooming. The pieces should also be secured with without affecting performance of the adjacent piles or
steel tube or steel flats. Splices near the middle of the the cap as a whole. Additional piles shall be provided to
pile should be avoided. If it is necessary to obtain replace them as necessary.
increase in size and length of pile by building up
piles from several timber sections, the joint should be 13.8 Amount of Driving
staggered and timber members connected by means Care shall be taken not to damage the piles by
of bolts or coach screws. The splicing shall be done over-driving. Any sudden change in the rate of
by a well-trained carpenter or timber fitter under close penetration which cannot be ascribed to the nature of
supervision. The lateral load carrying capacity of such the ground shall be noted and its cause ascertained, if
piles would depend on the joint system given. possible, before driving is re-continued.
13.5 Control of Alignment 14 RECORDING OF DATA
Piles shall be installed as accurately as possible
A competent inspector shall be maintained at site
according to the design and drawings either vertically
to record necessary information during installation
or to the specified batter. Greater care should be
of piles and the data to be recorded shall essentially
exercised in respect of installation of piles. As a guide,
contain the following:
for vertical piles, an angular deviation of 1.5 percent
and for raker piles, a deviation of 4 percent should not a) Sequence of installation of piles in a group,
be exceeded. Piles should not deviate more than 75 mm b) Bearing value of each pile,
from their designed positions at the working level of the c) Type and size of driving hammer and its stroke,
piling rig. In the case of a single pile under a column,
d) Dimensions of the pile and mark of the pile,
the positional deviation should not be more than
50 mm. For piles to be cut-off at a substantial depth e) Depth driven,
below the working level, the design shall provide for the f) Time taken for driving,
worst combination of the above tolerances in position g) Number of blows for last 3 sets,
and inclination. In case of piles deviating beyond
h) Cut-off level/working level, and
these limits and to such an extent that the resulting
j) Any other important observation, during driving.

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IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

15 STORING AND HANDLING 15.2.3 Dropping, bruising, breaking of fibres and

penetrating the surface shall be avoided.
15.1 For storing purpose, provisions of IS 883 may be
referred to. 15.2.4 Sharp pointed tools shall not be used for handling
or turning them in leads.
15.2 Handling
15.2.5 Minor abrasions of the surface of treated piles
15.2.1 Care shall be taken that the piles are supported below cut-off level in the portions which are to remain
at a suficient number of points, properly located to permanently under water shall be permitted.
prevent damage due to excessive bending.
15.2.6 Surface of the treated piles below cut-off level

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15.2.2 Treated piles shall be handled with hemp or shall not be disturbed by boring holes or driving nails
manila rope slings or other means of support that will to support temporary material or staging.
not damage the surface of the wood.

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6
 IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

ANNEX A
( Clause 2 )

LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS

IS No. Title IS No. Title

2911 Design and construction of pile

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401 : 2001 Preservation of timber — Code of
practice (fourth revision) foundations — Code of practice
(Part 1/Sec 3) Concrete piles, Section 3
456 : 2000 Plain and reinforced concrete —
: 2010 Driven precast concrete piles
Code of practice (fourth revision)
(second revision)
707 : 2011 Timber technology and utilization (Part 4) : 2013 Load test on piles (second revision)
of wood, bamboo and cane —
Glossary of terms (third revision) 2974 (Part 1) : Code of practice for design
1982 and construction of machine
883 : 2016 Design of structural timber in foundations: Part 1 Foundation

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building — Code of practice for reciprocating type machines
(fifth revision) (second revision)
1892 : 2021 Sub-surface investigation for 3629 : 1986 Specification for structural timber in
foundations — Code of practice building (first revision)
(second revision)
1893 (Part 1) : Criteria for earthquake resistant
2016 design of structures: Part 1
General provisions and buildings
(sixth revision)

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IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

ANNEX B
( Foreword )

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
Soil and Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee, CED 43

Organization Representative(s)

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In Personal Capacity (Flat No. 202/395, Jodhpur Dr N. Som (Chairman)
Park, Kolkata 700068)
In Personal Capacity (D-1903, PWS, 7 Hills, Dr D. N. Naresh (Vice Chairman)
Narsingi(v), Kokapet Road, Ranga Reddy
500089)
AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, Mumbai Shri P. S. Bansod
Shri V. Ramamurty (Alternate)

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AIMIL Limited, New Delhi Shri Sharique Khan
Shri Lalit Mohan Pathak (Alternate)
Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India), Shri Sudhanwa Amol Shingarey
Bengaluru Shri Chandramouleeswar S. (Alternate)
Association of Piling Specialists (India), Mumbai Shri V. T. Ganpule
Shri Madhukar J. Lodhavia (Alternate)
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Noida Shri C. Pushpakaran
Shri Hemant Malhotra (Alternate)
CEM Engineers & Consultants Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar Shri Ashok Basa
Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt Ltd, Noida Shri Sanjay Gupta
Shri Ravi Sundaram (Alternate I)
Shri Sorabh Gupta (Alternate II)
Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi Director
Central Designs Organization, Water Resources Superintending Engineer
Deptt, Govt of Maharashtra, Nashik Executive Engineer (Alternate)
Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi Shri Neeraj Kumar
Shri Sidhartha Mitra (Alternate)
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi Shri Rajesh Khare
Shri Saurobh Kumar (Alternate)
Central Soil and Materials Research Station, Dr R. Chitra
New Delhi Shri Mahabir Dixit (Alternate)
Consulting Engineering Services (India) Pvt Ltd, Shri Dipankar Paul
New Delhi Shri T. K. Roy Choudhury (Alternate)
CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee Shri Manojit Samanta
Dr S. Ganesh Kumar (Alternate)
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi Shri Kanwar Singh
Dr P. S. Prasad (Alternate)
CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Dr P. Kamatchi
Chennai Shrimati R. Sreekala (Alternate)
D-CAD Technologies, New Delhi Dr K. G. Bhatia
Delhi Development Authority, New Delhi Shri Govind Ram Shiromani
Shri K. K. Gupta (Alternate)
Delhi Technological University, Delhi Prof Ashok Kumar Gupta

8
 IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

Organization Representative(s)

Engineers India Limited, New Delhi Shri V. K. Panwar

Shri Sanjoy Bhowmik (Alternate)
F S Engineers Pvt Limited, Chennai Dr A. Verghese Chummar
Gammon Engineers and Contractors Pvt Ltd, Mumbai Shri Venkataramana. N. Heggade
Shri Sandeep M. Ghan (Alternate)
Geodynamics Ltd, Vadodara Shri Ravi Kiran Ramesh Vaidya

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Shri Sujan Kulkarni (Alternate)
Geological Survey of India, Kolkata Dr Timir Baran Ghosal
Shri Prashant Tukaram Ilamkar (Alternate)
Ground Engineering Limited, New Delhi Shri Ashok Kumar Jain
Shri Neeraj Kumar Jain (Alternate)
Gujarat Engineering Research Institute, Vadodara Shri K. A. Keshvani
Shri R. S. Vasava (Alternate)

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Hydraulic and Engineering Instruments (HEICO), Shri Jattinder Singh
New Delhi Shri Raunaq Singh (Alternate)
Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi Secretary
Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru Prof T. G. Sitharam
Prof G. L. Sivakumara Babu (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi Dr G. V. Ramana
Dr J. T. Shahu (Alternate I)
Dr Prashanth Vangla (Alternate II YP)
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur Prof Priyanka Ghosh
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai Prof Subhadeep Banerjee
Prof Ramesh K. Kandasami (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai Prof Deepankar Choudhury
Prof Dasaka Murty (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee Prof Mahendra Singh
Prof Vishwas A. Sawant (Alternate)
Indian Road Congress, New Delhi Secretary General
Director (T) (Alternate)
Indian Society of Earthquake Technology, Roorkee Prof T. G. Sitharam
Dr B. K. Maheswari (Alternate)
ITD Cementation India Ltd, Kolkata Shri Manish Kumar
Shri Sachin Kamat (Alternate)
Jadhavpur University, Kolkata Prof Sibapriya Mukherjee
Prof Ramendu Bikas Sahu (Alternate)
Keller Ground Engineering Pvt Ltd, Chennai Shri V. V. S. Ramadas
Shri Madan Kumar Annam (Alternate)
Larsen and Toubro Limited, Chennai Dr K. S. Ramakrishna
Shri Jesudoss Asirvatham (Alternate)
Military Engineer Services, Engineer-in-Chief’s Shri Ranjan Kumar Pandey
Branch, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), Shri Ajay Kumar (Alternate)
New Delhi
M N Dastur & Company (P) Limited, Kolkata Dr Abhijit Dasgupta
Shri Suvendu Dey (Alternate)
MECON Limited, Ranchi Shri Shankar Ray

9
IS 2911 (Part 2) : 2021

Organization Representative(s)

Ministry of Shipping, New Delhi Shri H. N. Aswath

Shri Anil Pruthi (Alternate)
Mumbai Port Trust, Mumbai Dy Chief Engineer (Design)
Superintending Engineer (Design) (Alternate)
Nagadi Consultants Pvt Limited, New Delhi Dr V. V. S. Rao
Dr N. Santosh Rao (Alternate)

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National Institute of Disaster Management, Dr Chandan Ghosh
New Delhi Shri Amir Ali (Alternate)
NTPC Limited, Noida Shri Jitender Kumar
Shri Mohit Jhalani (Alternate)
Research Designs and Standards Organization Shri Sameer Singh
(Ministry of Railways), Lucknow Shri S. K. Ojha (Alternate)
RITES Limited, Gurugram Shri Alok Garg
Shri S. K. Kapoor (Alternate I)

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Shri Sandipan Hore (Alternate II)
Safe Enterprises, Mumbai Shri Vikram Singh Rao
Shri Suryaveer Singh Rao (Alternate)
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi Prof Y. K. Jain
Simplex Infrastructures Limited, Chennai Shri Shankar Guha
Dr V. Balakumar (Alternate)
Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, Mumbai Shri Sanjeev Gupta
Shri B. N. Nagaraj (Alternate)
Telangana State Research Laboratories, Hyderabad Shrimati J. Sridevi
Shri P. John Victor (Alternate)
The Pressure Piling Co (I) Pvt Limited, Mumbai Shri V. C. Deshpande
Shri Pushkar V. Deshpande (Alternate)
In Personal Capacity, New Delhi (Flat No. 220, Ankur Dr V. Thiruvengadam
Apartments Mother Dairy Road, Patparganj,
Delhi 110092)
BIS Directorate General Shri Sanjay Pant, Scientist ‘F’ and Head (Civil Engineering)
[ Representing Director General ( Ex-officio ) ]

Member Secretary
Shrimati Madhurima Madhav
Scientist ‘D’ (Civil Engineering), BIS

Panel for Review of IS 2911 (Part 1/Sec 1 to 4) and IS 2911 (Part 2), CED 43 : P3

Organization Representative(s)

Simplex Infrastructures Limited, Chennai Shri Shankar Guha (Convener)

Central Public Works Department, New Delhi Shri Saurobh Kumar
Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Prof S. R. Gandhi
Surat
NTPC Ltd, Noida Shri Jitender Kumar

10
(Continued from second cover)

Considering the limited use of timber piles due to reasons like non-availability of structural timber, the Committee
felt that the provisions regarding the timber piles be revised to restrict its use and to align its provisions regarding
determination of load carrying capacity and others with those in the revised standards for concrete piles, that is,
IS 2911 (Part 1/Sec 1 to 4) : 2010.
In the present revision of this standard (Part 2), the following major modifications have been made:
a) Definitions of various terms have been modified as per the prevailing engineering practices.

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b) Scope of the standard has been restricted to allow use of timber piles for earth retaining structures,
shore protection, slope protection, compaction of ground, or to support structures up to two storeyed
structures.
c) Procedures for calculation of bearing capacity, structural capacity, factor of safety, lateral load
capacity, overloading, etc have also been modified to bring them at par with the present practices.
d) Design parameters with respect to adhesion factor, earth pressure coefficient, modulus of subgrade
reaction, etc have been revised to make them consistent with the outcome of modern research and
construction practices.

ON 25/07/2022 15:49:37 (165.225.122.241) VALID UPTO 22/02/2023 00:00:00

e) Provision has been made for use of any established dynamic pile driving formulae.
f) Earlier classification of timber piles as Class A and Class B based on the type of structure and size of
piles has been removed.
g) Need for assessing liquefaction potential of soil in accordance with IS 1893 (Part 1) : 2016 ‘Criteria
for earthquake resistant design of structures: Part 1 General provisions and buildings (sixth revision)’
has been included.
h) Provisions on pile cap have been modified.
The composition of the Committee and the Expert Panel responsible for the formulation of this standard is given
in Annex B.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised )’. The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 to promote harmonious
development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and attending to
connected matters in the country.

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standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations. Enquiries relating to
copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.

Review of Indian Standards

Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of
‘BIS Catalogue’ and ‘Standards: Monthly Additions’.

ON 25/07/2022 15:49:37 (165.225.122.241) VALID UPTO 22/02/2023 00:00:00

This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc No.: CED 43 (13916).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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