# What is a Segmental Tube Pile?
**A segmental tube pile (Dutch: buissegmentpaal) is a type of displacement pile constructed from prefabricated hollow concrete tube segments that are stacked on top of each other and hydraulically pressed or driven into the ground. This modular system allows piles to be installed in low-headroom conditions and adjusted in length to match varying soil profiles.**
## How segmental tube piles work
Individual concrete segments — typically 500 mm to 2,000 mm in length — are placed one on top of another in a pile-driving rig. A hydraulic press or drop hammer forces each new segment downward, pushing the growing pile deeper into the soil. The segments interlock or butt-joint together, forming a continuous pile that transfers loads through shaft friction and end bearing.
## Segment characteristics
– **Material** — High-strength precast concrete (typically C55 or higher)
– **Shape** — Circular hollow cross-section
– **Outer diameter** — Commonly 320 mm to 600 mm
– **Wall thickness** — 60 mm to 100 mm
– **Joint type** — Tongue-and-groove, flat butt, or spigot-and-socket connections
## Advantages
– Ideal for restricted headroom (basements, underpinning, existing buildings)
– Pile length easily adapted on site by adding or omitting segments
– Low noise and vibration during hydraulic pressing
– No spoil removal required (displacement method)
– Factory-produced quality control of each segment
## Installation considerations
The hollow core may be left open or filled with sand, grout, or reinforced concrete after installation, depending on the required bearing capacity and structural requirements.
## Applications
– Underpinning existing structures with limited access
– Foundations in urban areas with noise and vibration restrictions
– Residential and commercial buildings on soft soils
– Extensions and renovations requiring piled foundations under low ceilings
– Infrastructure projects where pile length varies significantly
## Related terms
– Steel tube pile
– Precast concrete pile
– Displacement pile
– Hydraulic jacking
– Underpinning
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