Piles and Pile Foundations – Book Review

(By Carlo Viggiani, Alessandro Mandolini & Gianpiero Russo)

Book Title: Piles and Pile Foundations
Authors:

• Carlo Viggiani

• Alessandro Mandolini

• Gianpiero Russo
  Publisher: Spon Press / Taylor & Francis Group
  Discipline: Geotechnical & Foundation Engineering
  Format: Hardcover, eBook

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Overview of Piles and Pile Foundations

Piles and Pile Foundations is a highly respected technical reference dedicated to the analysis, design, and construction of pile foundations. Written by internationally recognized experts in geotechnical engineering, the book offers a balanced treatment of theory, design principles, and practical application, making it valuable for both professional engineers and advanced students.

The book is widely used for projects involving deep foundations, including buildings, bridges, offshore structures, and infrastructure works where shallow foundations are not adequate.

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Technical Scope and Content

The book provides a comprehensive treatment of pile behavior and pile-supported foundation systems, grounded in soil–structure interaction principles.

Key Topics Covered

• Classification and types of piles

• Methods of pile installation

• Axial load capacity of piles

• Shaft resistance and end bearing behavior

• Pile behavior under lateral loads

• Pile group effects and group efficiency

• Settlement analysis of pile foundations

• Dynamic loading and cyclic behavior

• Design approaches and practical considerations

The emphasis on mechanics-based understanding makes this book particularly useful for complex foundation problems.

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Why This Book Is a Key Reference in Geotechnical Engineering

1. Strong Theoretical Foundation

The authors present a rigorous explanation of pile–soil interaction while keeping the discussion relevant to engineering practice.

2. Integration of Design and Construction

The book links design assumptions with construction methods, helping engineers understand how installation affects performance.

3. International Perspective

Rather than focusing on a single national code, the book presents general design principles applicable worldwide.

4. Long-Term Professional Value

The fundamental concepts of pile behavior discussed remain valid regardless of evolving codes or local standards.

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Who Should Read This Book?

This book is ideal for:

• Geotechnical engineers

• Structural engineers involved in foundation design

• Bridge and infrastructure engineers

• Engineers working on deep foundation projects

• Graduate and PhD students in geotechnical engineering

It is not an introductory soil mechanics text, but a specialized reference for foundation engineering practice.

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Is There a Legal Free Download?

⚠️ Important clarification

Piles and Pile Foundations is a copyright-protected publication.
There is no legal full free PDF download provided by the publisher.

Any website offering an unrestricted “free PDF” copy is illegal and should be avoided.

However, there are legal ways to access or consult the book, listed below.

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✅ Legal Ways to Access Piles and Pile Foundations

1. Official Publisher (Taylor & Francis / Routledge)

The book is available in print and eBook formats from the publisher.

🔗 Official publisher page (legal access):
https://www.routledge.com/Piles-and-Pile-Foundations/Viggiani-Mandolini-Russo/p/book/9780415419923

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2. Google Books – Limited Preview

Google Books offers partial previews of selected sections.

🔗 Google Books preview:
https://books.google.com/search?q=Piles+and+Pile+Foundations+Viggiani

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3. Internet Archive – Controlled Digital Lending

The Internet Archive may offer time-limited online borrowing for registered users.

🔗 Internet Archive search page:
https://archive.org/search?query=Piles+and+Pile+Foundations+Viggiani

✔ This is a legal way to read the book online for free, when available.

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4. University & Public Libraries (WorldCat)

Many academic and professional libraries provide access.

🔗 Find a library copy near you:
https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Piles+and+Pile+Foundations+Viggiani

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Final Verdict

Piles and Pile Foundations by Viggiani, Mandolini, and Russo is a core reference in geotechnical engineering, offering clear insight into the behavior, analysis, and design of pile foundations. Its combination of theoretical rigor and practical relevance makes it essential for engineers involved in deep foundation design and construction.