A review on the driving performance of FRP composite piles

Fibre composites have been a viable option in replacing traditional pile materials such as concrete, steel and timber in harsh environmental conditions. However, driving composite piles require more careful consideration due to their relatively low stiffness. Currently, there are no specific guidelines on the installation of composite piles which limits their acceptance in load-bearing applications. There is a need therefore to understand their behaviour during driving in order for composite piles to be safely and economically driven into the ground. This paper presents an overview on composite pile technologies and an examination on the different factors that affects their driving performance. Emphasis on the potential use of hollow fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) piles and the need for further study on their impact behaviour is highlighted. It is expected that the information provided in this paper will help researchers and engineers to develop efficient techniques and guidelines in driving composites piles. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.