A driven pile is a type of foundation pile installed by mechanically hammering or vibrating it into the ground, rather than drilling a hole and pouring concrete in place. Made of steel, concrete, or timber, driven piles are pushed to a depth where they reach adequate bearing capacity, either through friction along their length or resistance at their tip.
Precast concrete and steel are the most common materials for driven piles today, chosen for their strength and predictable behavior under the hammering forces involved in installation.
What Does Installing a Driven Pile Involve?
- A pile driving rig using impact or vibratory hammers
- Steel, precast concrete, or timber pile material
- Monitoring resistance during driving to confirm adequate bearing
- A pile cap connecting driven piles to the structure above
Why Are Driven Piles Important?
Driving a pile compacts and displaces the surrounding soil as it’s installed, which can actually improve the soil’s bearing capacity around the pile compared to a drilled alternative. This installation method is also relatively fast once equipment is on site, though the vibration and noise involved can be a concern near existing structures.
That concern sometimes pushes projects toward drilled or helical alternatives instead, particularly in dense urban settings or where a neighboring foundation might be sensitive to the vibration generated during driving. The specific hammer type used, whether a diesel, hydraulic, or vibratory hammer, is chosen based on the pile material, soil conditions, and how much energy is needed to reach the target bearing depth without damaging the pile itself.
Driven Pile vs. Helical Pile
A driven pile is hammered or vibrated into place, while a helical pile is mechanically screwed into the ground like a large auger. Helical piles typically cause less vibration and can be installed with smaller equipment, making them useful in tighter or more sensitive sites.