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Module 31/Topic 19
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS
In this Section we look at the special problems associated with the construction of
some foundations.

19.1 Cantilever footing

This is a special type of combined footing in which two independent column
footings are interconnected by a strap beam (Fig.19.1) which helps column loads to
be transferred centrally to the footings (Kurian, 2005: Sec.9.1.2.3). This type of a
combined footing is attempted where the space restriction between the exterior
column and the boundary of the property is of an acute nature. Fig.19.1 shows the
extreme theoretical limit to this restriction at which the outer face of the column
coincides with the boundary line of the property.
In this type of combined footing the strap beam does not partake in transferring
load to the soil which should be ensured in the construction even when the footings
and the strap beam are constructed monolithically on prepared ground. After the
foundation is cast and cured, the normal practice is to loosen the soil under the strap
beam to some depth. A better and more efficient solution is to cast the strap beam
on a bottom plank (Fig.19.2) placed below the side planks, which together with the
planks on either side forms a box for pouring the strap beam. When the beam is set,
the side forms are removed whereupon the bottom plank can also be removed by
striking it sideways, which leaves a gap in the space occupied by the bottom plank.
If this vital step is overlooked, it can lead to disastrous consequences as the
mechanics of load transfer assumed in the design gets altered on account of the
possible transfer of load to the soil through the strap beam. Kurian (2005:
Sec.10.13) throws more light on this exigency by analysing the system as two plates
on elastic foundation interconnected by a beam on elastic foundation.

19.2 Driven cast in-situ piles

At first look driven cast in-situ pile may appear to be a contradiction in terms,
since a cast in-situ pile cannot be driven! Here what is actually driven is a heavy
steel pipe, closed at bottom, into which concrete is poured, with the pipe being
withdrawn at the end of pour. This makes it a displacement pile with all its attendant
advantages. We shall now look at the process in fuller detail.
A double rimmed cast iron shoe (Fig.19.3a) is positioned on the ground at the
point where the pile is to be established. An open-ended seamless steel tube having
an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the pile to be constructed is held vertically
in the rig, is lowered until its lower end engages the recess on the pile shoe. The
joint may be properly packed to make it water-tight. The tube is now driven into the

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ground by drop hammer until the required penetration is reached, normally identified
by set. (The set is usually stated in the form of a specified maximum penetration for
a specified number of blows.) In this process a volume of soil equal to the volume of
the pile gets displaced to the sides contributing to high local compaction of the soil
around the pile. The reinforcement cage is lifted from the yard and lowered into the
tube (Fig.19.3b). Fresh concrete is now poured into the tube until it fills to the top.
Using an extraction gear the tube is slowly withdrawn allowing the concrete to issue
from the lower end filling the entire space occupied by the tube with the shoe left
behind (Fig.19.3c). Since the concrete is forced downwards and outwards by its own
weight, in addition to filling the hole, it also penetrates into all the voids on the sides
of the hole should they be present. The full extraction of the tube will leave some
depth of the hole vacant at the top, which is filled by fresh concrete. The process of
setting now starts and the concrete cements itself into the surrounding soil
developing high skin friction.
Among the several advantages of piles of this type, derived from its method of
construction, may be cited the following. The risk of damage, if it were a precast
driven pile, during handling, pitching and driving is totally eliminated. The
reinforcement has to cater to only in-service loads and not to stresses arising in the
handling and driving phases. Any depth can be accommodated without the need for
splicing. The advantage of this pile in loose sands in terms of local compaction of the
soil around the pile and the added friction developing on the sides as a result of the
same (Sec.11.2) is truly significant. An added advantage is the saving in cost and
time the method offers.
Simplex Concrete Piling Company of U.K. was among the early pioneers of this
technique of piling using their proprietary rigs.

19.3 Underreamed piles

The short bored underreamed pile has been covered as a special pile in
Sec.12.2. What follows is a note on its manual construction.
The hole is drilled to the full required depth using augers. The underreaming tool,
shown in Fig.19.4a, consists of a link mechanism attached to a vertical rod with a
handle at the top and connected to a bucket at the bottom. The link mechanism
incorporates cutting blades. The underreaming tool is inserted into the hole. When
the central rod is pressed by the handle, the mechanism actuates the cutting blades
to open out. The mecahanism is now made to rotate keeping the handle under
pressure. The blades now scrape the soil from the sides of the hole which falls into
the bucket below. The rotation under pressure is continued until the full amount of
soil forming the bulb is removed (Fig.19.4b) which is identified by the free rotation of
the mechanism. The volume of the bucket is such that it just fills when the bulb is
fully formed. The handle is now lifted which makes the link mechanism to collapse
back into the position shown in Fig.19.4a. The underreaming tool is now withdrawn,

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the reinforcement cage is inserted and the hole concreted (Fig.19.4c). The short
length of the shaft under the bulb, which is formed in the space occupied by the
bucket, is a by-product of this method of construction. In soft and unstable soil,
where the soil on the sides is likely to collapse, the hole may be stabilised by drilling
mud (Topic 44).
Kurian (2005: Sec. 14.2.7) gives the authors modification of the underreaming
tool for cutting a half bulb which has been found to be more advantageous.

19.4 Cut support by prestressing struts

This is an effective method to reduce movement of ground adjoining the cut which
is particularly useful if there are structures in the close vicinity of the cut. In this
method steel sheet piles are first driven followed by excavation and running of wale
beams (Fig.19.5). On either side of the permanent strut, two auxiliary struts which
incorporate hydraulic jacks are tightened against opposite wales such that the
distance between them increases. The permanent strut is now inserted and
tightened whereupon the auxiliary struts are withdrawn, leaving the ground in
compression.