ABSTRACT: By the term marine pile, it is commonly meant the piles used as a structural part of jetties, wharves, dolphins and other such near shore and off shore structures. Fundamentally all these piles are long slender members and subjected to massive horizontal forces. These piles have typical construction and design requirements which make them a different foundation arrangement when compared to their use as land piles.

In design, these piles are generally subjected to large magnitude of bending moment along with axial force. This leads to special considerations like heavily reinforced section, large pile diameter etc.

Aggressive condition of saline weather calls for extraordinary consideration of design as well as construction. In construction it is again an unusual treatment due to lack of accessibility and stable working area. Many methods like fixed platform, floating arrangements, cantilever platform, jack up barge etc. are the options available to tackle such conditions.

In this paper, the author has highlighted such special requirements and also discussed the merits and demerits of the various materials used in pile construction like RCC, steel and prestressed concrete. Short comings of the use of construction practices of present day bored pile construction have been discussed. Provisions of various codes of practices have also been briefly highlighted.