Which type of pile is designed primarily to resist horizontal pressure?

Sheet piles are specifically designed to resist horizontal pressure. They are typically used to create a barrier or wall system in situations where lateral earth pressures or water pressures need to be contained. This is often seen in applications such as retaining walls, cofferdams, and waterfront structures.

The design of sheet piles involves interlocking steel or reinforced concrete sections, which allows them to effectively transfer horizontal loads to the surrounding soil or water. Their structural integrity and load-bearing capacity make them particularly suitable for preventing soil or water from moving into an area or for preventing erosion.

The other types of piles primarily serve different functions, such as support for vertical loads or frictional resistance against soil, rather than being specifically tailored for resisting horizontal pressures.