The Application Of PHC Piles In Difficult Soil Condition, In Pakistan

China started the research and manufacturing of prestressed high strength concrete (PHC) piles in the 1960s and imported the advanced production equipment for PHC piles in 1980s. With the development of national economy at a fast pace, more and more investment has been made into capital construction to such an extent that it has seen the quick advancement in the fields such as high-rise buildings, bridges, harbours, offshore petroleum and liquefied natural gas. Known by the advantages of good at single pile bearing capacity, installation, penetration, construction and economy, PHC piles have been applied widely in the fields mentioned above.The application of PHC piles covers a wide range in China and many countries abroad. However, in Pakistan, restricted by limited investment into the capital construction due to poor economy and low productivity, no PHC piles had been used. In the design for FAP Grain & Fertilizer Terminal at Port Qasim, the Designer made a breakthrough by utilizing such piles, totaling 17,000m long, for the first time in the construction of civil engineering works following a deep study and analysis on the soil conditions.In the installation of piles some unexpected difficulties were encountered, resulting in the damages to piles and slowing the progress. With the wisdom of our people and through the working up of piling standard suitable to the site conditions, these difficulties were overcome, opening a broad way for promotion and utilization of these piles in Pakistan. Once it is materialized, it will create better economic and social benefits for that country.This paper sheds light on how to minimize the damages to piles while enhancing the installation speed under complicated soil conditions. It will be helpful in similar soil conditions for the installation of PHC piles.