Exposure of Old Timber Piles

[1SEngineer]

I have searched some older threads for an answer, but the responses are not totally relevant to my situation.

We're renovating a 1920' era structure. It has timber piles with concrete pile caps.

-I want to know if reducing the water table around an old timber pile will cause damage to the pile. The soil around the pile will remain in place. Just the water table will change...temporarily.

-For how long could the water table be lowered before the pile is damaged?

-Can anyone refer me to white papers or articles on this topic?

Thank You.

 

[jerseyshore]

Here's two articles I found recently. Haven't read all the way thru them, but may help:

https://www.structuremag.org/?p=1235

https://www.structuremag.org/?p=1299

 

[Greenalleycat]

Very interesting question. I'm being lazy, can you summarise your conclusions once you reach them?

 

[dvd]

Just in case money is no object -

https://groundfreezing.com/ground-freezing-in-construction/

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I want to know if reducing the water table around an old timber pile will cause damage to the pile. The soil around the pile will remain in place. Just the water table will change...temporarily.

For how long could the water table be lowered before the pile is damaged?

Is information available on:

Untreated or Treated wood (in the USA, 1920s timber piling pressure treatment would have been creosote).​

Pile diameter and estimated loading.​

Current condition of the piling.​

Approximately how long will portion of the piles be above the water table.​