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pile vs. column

English translation: see explanation below

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17:17 Nov 22, 2009

English to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Construction / Civil Engineering / ground improvement

English term or phrase: pile vs. column

Could someone tell me the difference between those two terms used to describe various ground improvement structures?
They seem to be used interchangeably to me... .

cquest KudoZ activity Questions: 504 (2 open) (53 closed without grading) Answers: 522
Local time: 09:58

English translation:see explanation below

Explanation:
MW dictionary definitions.

Pile: a long slender column usually of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry a vertical load.

Column: a supporting pillar; especially: one consisting of a usually round shaft, a capital, and a base.

In other words, part of a pile lies below ground whereas all of a column lies above ground.

Selected response from:

Dr. Andrew Frankland
Spain
Local time: 09:58

Grading comment

And thanks to juvera, as well. Apparently, there are lots of wrong uses of the two terms on the internet.

Summary of answers provided

3 +4

see explanation below

Dr. Andrew Frankland

substructure(foundation) vs. superstructure

juvera

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

32 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

see explanation below

Dr. Andrew Frankland
Spain
Local time: 09:58
Native speaker of:

English

Grading comment

And thanks to juvera, as well. Apparently, there are lots of wrong uses of the two terms on the internet.

18 hrs confidence:

substructure(foundation) vs. superstructure

Explanation:
The pile is a foundation element, to support the superstructure of a building.
The superstructure is resting on the foundation.
Columns, half columns, pillars are part of the superstructure, which may or may not be undergound.

The basement of a building is regarded as superstructure, in spite of being under ground, or partially under ground. (There are some exceptions, but these are irrelevant here.)
Therefore a column in a basement would be a column, not a pile.
The columns in a basement would not have direct contact with the soil, because the basement has a surrounding wall (to make it usable) and usually some sort of insulation too.
.
The pile can be fully or partially driven into the soil, or part of it submerged into water, it supports the superstructure and it has no man-made element uder it, only above, while the column is resting on the foundation, which is a man-made element. The column supports other parts of the superstructure, like beams, floor slabs, roof, etc.

I hope this answers your query, although I am not sure what exactly wasn't clear.

juvera
Local time: 08:58
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Hungarian
PRO pts in category: 55

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pile vs. column

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