Capping beam

Pile foundations are a type of deep foundation. They are formed by long, slender,
columnar elements typically made from steel or reinforced concrete, or sometimes timber. A foundation is
described as 'piled' when its depth is more than three times its breadth.

Pile foundations are principally used to transfer loads from superstructures, through weak, compressible
strata or water onto stronger, more compact, less compressible and stiffer soil or rock at depth. They are
typically used for large structures, and in situations where soil is not suitable to prevent
excessive settlement.

Piles can be used individually to support loads or grouped and linked together with a reinforced
concrete cap.

Pile caps can also be linked together with reinforced concrete to create a capping beam. At least three
capped piles are needed to ensure stability against lateral forces (with the exception
of caisson piles). Capping beams are also suitable for distributing the weight of a load-bearing wall, or of
close-centred columns to a line of piles.

This differs from a ground beam which is provided between adjacent pile caps as a structural element to
improve the stability of the foundation. For more information, see Ground beams.

Piles may be staggered along the beam to allow for any eccentricities that may occur in
loaded conditions. If light loading is expected to result in only minor eccentricities, then the piles can be
driven in a line beneath the capping beam’s centre.

The capping beam should be kept clear of the ground where the purpose of the piles is to overcome the
problem of the subsoil swelling and shrinkage. This can be done by casting the capping
beam on polystyrene or other compressive material, thereby allowing an upward ground movement
without damage to the beam.

An economical construction method that can be adopted is to construct concrete block walls to the exact
sizes of the cap. Having first backfilled the wall with soil the space can then be filled with concrete. This
cuts down on the need for formwork and the extra excavation required to position it.