Pile Foundation and Installation Methods in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents a handy compendium and general overview of the state of pile foundation works in Nigeria which may hardly be found in any single volume or write up. It furnishes with a brief history of pile foundation construction in Nigeria, types of pile in use as well as installation methods mostly employed in pilling work for the construction of houses, bridges, roads, exploration platforms, ports, assembly plants, transmission tower bases and other projects, especially on weak soils in Nigeria. Depending on the terrain, use and finance, wooden piles, steel piles, reinforced concrete piles or combination piles known as composite piles have been used to supports various structures especially where the firm bedrock is far below the ground and/or water level. Installation techniques in use include driving, boring, jetting, jacking and screwing.