TECHNICAL PAPER

ON
TECHNIQUES AND CHALLENGES OF PILE FOUNDATION
IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

PRESENTED BY:
Capt
Umesh Chamola
age B/R Thane

Abstract-

Coastal environment pose great challenges in foundation engineering due to soil variability,
ground table fluctuations, seismic activities, and various other coastal reasons. The pile
foundations are deep foundations which are generally used in coastal areas since they can
transfer the vertical/ lateral load of a structure to the more compacted or solid strata at greater
depth under the ground. The load is transferred to such a greater depth by means of solid, long
and slender columns. However, the design and construction is done by a careful means at site
considering the each coastal factor in mind. This paper reviews the techniques and challenges
associated with pile foundation design and construction in coastal environments. It also explores
the various pile foundation types, installation methods, and design considerations for coastal
environments.

Introduction-

Coastal areas have significant importance in the development of urban areas, infrastructure ,
and industrial growth, but they present various challenges in the field of civil engineering.
Pile foundations are very common foundations now being used extensively in coastal areas to
overcome these challenges and because of their ability to transfer loads to deeper or
compacted soil strata and their resilience against the dynamic forces of water and wind.
However, the harsh environmental conditions in coastal zones—such as saltwater corrosion,
fluctuating water levels, and soil erosion require careful consideration in foundation design.

Pile Foundation Types and Techniques in Coastal Environments

1. Types of Pile Foundation - Pile foundations are broadly classified based on their
materials, function, and installation methods. In coastal environments, the following
types are commonly used:

(a) Concrete Piles- Concrete piles are often used in coastal regions due to their
durability and resistance to marine environments. Precast and cast-in-situ concrete
piles are generally used in coastal foundations. Precast piles are manufactured off-
site and driven into the ground, while cast-in-situ piles are formed in place using
drilled shafts.

(b) Steel Piles- Steel piles are advantageous due to their strength-to-weight ratio, but
require protective coatings or corrosion-resistant alloys in coastal areas. Hollow
steel piles filled with concrete are often used in the coastal regions.

(c) Timber Piles- Timber piles are used to maintain ecological sustainability in the
construction field. They are not common but are still used in coastal
environments, particularly for lighter structures. However, they are susceptible to
degradation over a time, which limits their long-term durability.

(d) Composite Piles- Composite piles, made from a combination of materials such as
steel and concrete or synthetic resins, are emerging as a solution for coastal
foundations. They offer durability in terms of corrosion resistance and cost-
effectiveness.

2. Installation Techniques- Installation methods vary based on the type of pile and site
conditions. Commonly used techniques are –
(a) Driving Piles- Driving piles involves using a hammer to drive the pile into the
ground. This method is commonly used for steel and concrete piles. It is effective
 in areas with soft to medium soils but may face difficulties in hard or rocky
substrates.

PILE DRIVING USING HAMMER

(b) Drilled Shafts- Drilled shafts/bored piles are often used when vibrations from pile
driving are undesirable, or when the soil is too hard for driving. These piles are
created by drilling a hole into the ground and filling it with concrete.

BORED PILES

(c) Jetting- Jetting involves using high-pressure water to reduce friction and facilitate
the installation of piles. This method is typically used for lighter piles or when the
soil is particularly loose or sandy.
 JETTING METHOD

(d) Vibratory Driving- Vibratory pile driving uses mechanical vibrations to reduce
soil resistance and ease pile installation. This technique is particularly useful for
piles in sandy or silty soils.

VIBRATORY PILE DRIVING

Design Considerations of pile foundations in Coastal Environments-

Design consideration for pile foundation in coastal region requires understanding on several
key factors such as salinity content, ground water table, soil condition, hydrodynamics and
environmental impacts.

1. Geotechnical Considerations-

(a) Soil Properties- Coastal soils are often characterized by variability, including
high moisture content, low bearing capacity, and susceptibility to erosion. These
 soils can have low shear strength, which may require special consideration in
terms of pile type and depth Soil tests or soil consultancy is required to determine
the crucial soil properties which are can impact pile foundations.

(b) Soil Liquefaction: In some coastal regions, particularly those prone to

earthquakes, liquefaction can be a concern. Liquefaction occurs when saturated,
loose sands temporarily lose their strength and behave like a liquid during seismic
shaking. Deep piles or enhanced foundation designs might be required in such
cases.

(c) Soil Settlement: Due to the compressibility of soft marine soils, excessive
settlement may occur under the pile load. This requires careful calculation of the
pile bearing capacity and settlement behavior.

2. Hydrodynamic and Environmental Forces

(a) Water Table and Tidal Fluctuations- In coastal areas water table often
fluctuates. Water table and tidal changes significantly impact pile behaviour. The
fatigue on pile due to these fluctuations can be reduced by using corrosion-
resistant materials and robust design methods. In locations with significant wave
action, the effects of hydrodynamic forces on groups of piles need to be
considered, as the interaction between piles can affect the overall foundation
performance.

(b) Scour- Scour refers to the erosion of soil around the pile caused by water flow,
which can reduce the bearing capacity of the foundation and lead to instability.
Design strategies may include using riprap, grout, or concrete collars around the
pile base to prevent scour.

SCOUR PROTECTION
3. Corrosion Protection-

(a) Marine Environment Corrosion: Steel piles are prone to corrosion when
exposed to seawater, especially in the tidal zone. Corrosion leads to loss of
material strength, reducing the overall load-bearing capacity of the piles.
Protective coatings like epoxy or galvanized layers can be applied to steel piles to
reduce corrosion. However, these coatings must be regularly inspected and
maintained.

PROTECTIVE COATINGS

In some cases, cathodic protection systems, where a sacrificial anode is

used to protect metal piles from corrosion, are employed, particularly for
offshore structures.

CATHODIC PROTECTION

Concrete piles or composite materials (like fiberglass or corrosion-resistant

alloys) may be considered in some designs to avoid corrosion issues altogether.
 CONCRETE & COMPOSITE PILE

4. Seismic Considerations –

(a) Earthquake Resistance- In some coastal areas, earthquake-induced ground

shaking and liquefaction may pose a risk to pile foundations. Piles should be
designed to resist both lateral and vertical seismic forces, and adequate soil-
structure interaction analysis should be conducted. Piles may need to be designed
for higher ductility and lateral resistance. For example, larger-diameter piles,
batter piles, or more robust pile cap designs may be necessary in seismic regions.

Construction Challenges in Pile Foundation-

1. Access for Installation- The installation of piles in coastal environments is

challenging due to accessibility issues. This may involve the use of floating platforms,
barges, or specialized equipment like pile driving rigs for offshore sites.

2. Presence of Groundwater- High groundwater levels can affect the installation

process, particularly for bored piles, as water may flow into the borehole, potentially
causing instability. Dewatering systems might be needed, which can increase costs and
complexity.

3. Noise and Vibration- Construction methods such as pile driving can generate
significant noise and vibrations, which can affect marine life, particularly in sensitive
coastal areas. Noise-reducing technologies and vibration monitoring may be required
to minimize impacts.

4. Soil Liquefaction- In seismic regions, loose, saturated soils may liquefy during an
earthquake, potentially destabilizing pile foundations and causing settlement or failure.

5. Ground Resistance- The difficulty of driving or installing piles into the ground
depends on the type of soil and the pile type. For example, driving concrete piles into
hard soils or rock can cause equipment wear and limit progress.
 6. Settlement and Shifting- After pile installation, monitoring the settlement of the piles
and the surrounding ground is essential to ensure that the structure will remain stable.
Unexpected shifting or settling can affect the overall integrity of the foundation.

7. Overdriving and Underdriving- Ensuring piles are driven to the correct depth and
achieving the desired bearing capacity is challenging. Overdriving can cause damage
to the pile, while underdriving can result in insufficient load-bearing capacity.

Mitigation Strategies and Advances in Technology-

1. Advanced Materials- Recent advancements in material science has led to the

development of more durable and corrosion-resistant materials for use in coastal pile
foundations. Geopolymer & composite materials, such as fiber-reinforced polymers
(FRP), are being increasingly used due to their lightweight nature, high strength, and
resistance to corrosion.

2. Monitoring and Maintenance- Long-term monitoring of pile foundations is essential

in coastal environments to detect early signs of degradation, corrosion, or scour.
Techniques such as underwater inspection, remote sensing, and sensor technology
embedded in piles can provide real-time data on the health of the foundation, allowing
for timely maintenance or repairs.

3. Improved Soil Stabilization- Techniques such as soil grouting and deep mixing can
be employed to stabilize soft coastal soils, enhancing the bearing capacity and
reducing settlement risks.

Conclusion-

Pile foundations are crucial to support infrastructure in coastal environments, but they
face a wide range of challenges, including dynamic loading, soil instability, corrosion,
and the difficulty of installation in difficult soil and water conditions. By employing
advanced design techniques, utilizing innovative materials, and adapting to the unique
environmental conditions of coastal areas, engineers can overcome these challenges
and ensure the long-term stability and safety of pile foundations. Continued research
and development in the fields of material science, geotechnical engineering, and
structural dynamics will play a key role in shaping the future of pile foundation
technology in coastal regions.

References-

1. Randolph, M. F. (2003). "The design of offshore foundations."

Geotechnical Engineering, 56(5), 9-23.
2. Rusu, T. V., & Marasco, S. (2018). "Pile foundations in offshore
environments: Challenges and solutions." Ocean Engineering, 155, 291-
300.
3. Van Impe, W. F. (2004). "Pile foundations: Design and practice."
Geotechnical Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition