Heave and Lateral Movements due to Pile Driving

Vertical and lateral displacements of soil and driven piles occur during pile driving in certain types of soils. The occurrence of vertical heave often significantly adds to the cost of a pile foundation. The undetected occurrence of heave of piles and foundation soils can lead to ultimate failure of a pile foundation. A case history study of 13 pile foundations was undertaken. Mechanisms of soil and pile displacements are proposed and the effects of various factors on the displacement phenomena are analyzed. The principal factors which affect the mode and magnitude of soil and pile displacement are: (1) The characteristics of the soil into which the piles are driven; (2) the characteristics of the piles themselves; (3) the sequence of pile driving; and (4) the overall geometry of the pile foundation. An approximate method of prediction of the magnitude of soil and pile heave is presented.