Driven piles have different shapes and can be adapted to the load they will support. Concrete piles can be cylindrical, octagonal, or square, while steel piles may be in these shapes as well as H-shaped, tapered, or open- or closed-ended pipe.
In self-monitored hydraulic hammers, the energy that’s used to control the pile driving is the kinetic energy contained in the ram just before impact. This energy is adjustable via continuous variation of stroke and/or downward pressure.
Pile driving is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of getting deep foundations. Pile driving doesn’t produce the extra spills and clean up of other methods. The only disturbance is the area for the pile driver and where the pile itself goes.
Testing for driven piles must include the shape and integrity of the driven piles, as well as the pile’s load bearing capacity, shaft resistance, and end bearing resistance. This testing must align with the static load tests.
With a pile driving load test, a reaction frame is attached to the reaction piles and spans over the top of the test pile. As the load is applied by a hydraulic jack, the reaction beam transfers the load to the test pile, putting it in compression and putting the reaction piles in tension to test the driven piles’ capabilities.
When a project needs to move quickly, pile driving is an expedient solution. They can be set in place in sequence, rather than on an every-other-one basis, thereby speeding up the installation process.
When piles are driven in sandy soils, the ground compacts because the exerted static pressure diminishes the size of air pockets and other spaces. The compaction is greater, with more stable results, when the soil is above the water table.
Compared to poured piles, driven piles require significantly less equipment. The piles are ready to go and do not require additional digging equipment, concrete mixing, or crews to create the piles. It is essentially a lift, place, and drive operation.
Which famous city is constructed on piles that were driven into the ground? Amsterdam. Unlike many other types of cities that used piling construction for specific features, Amsterdam is almost entirely constructed on a layout system of piles.
In addition to site assessment surveys and ground evaluation, we also perform impact studies for the surrounding area to identify any structures that could be affected, and provide notification of the scheduled project.
What was one of the first uses of piles ever known in history? To create elevated living quarters that offered protection from wildlife. The use of these early piles has been documented to an ancient Neolithic tribe known as the “Swiss Lake Dwellers” that lived more than 6,000 years ago.
Driven piles are the ideal solution for construction projects in or near water. Wooden piles do not need special casings, and there is not the down time like there is when waiting for concrete to properly cure.
How were some of the very first types of pile driving equipment powered? In the beginning of pile driving technologies, intricate systems of pulleys and levers were used to power pile drivers and often combined with manpower and animal labor.
What major event in history had a huge effect on the advancement of pile driver technology? The Industrial Revolution. Before the Industrial Revolution, pile drivers had to be powered by people and animals, but after the Revolution, pile drivers powered by steam and eventually diesel became available.
The most effective and frequently used method for driving steel sheet piling is with vibrating hammers. During installation, the sheets are typically supported using deadmen, anchors, bracing, or other internal propping systems.
Deep foundations are expensive to construct, as they are both labor and equipment intensive. Various modern pile driving methods have been developed to optimize installation and ensure a good return on investment.
In areas with limited access, hydraulic press-in processes are used for pile installation. One of their most frequent applications for installing reinforcing piles, or piers, is repairing damaged foundations of houses or other structures.
Hydraulic pile drivers use cylinders stocked with hydraulic fluid to drive the piles into the ground. This is a preferred method of pile driving construction, as these systems are able to mitigate the effects of vibration on the pile and surrounding areas, which is especially important in built-up areas where other structures could be compromised.
In addition to their other advantages, driven piles often gain strength after they’re installed. How so? Over time, the strength of the soil shaft surrounding the pile increases, which adds to the overall load-carrying capacity.
The most common types of concrete piles used are pre-cast or pre-stressed concrete piles. These types of driven pile offer many benefits, including low material costs, customizable lengths, and ready availability.
What were some of the earliest piles made of that were used to construct the City of Venice? Oak and pine. The piles that were constructed from these woods offered flexibility and strength – two qualities that were needed to survive the process of being driven into the thick, muddy clay in the area.
Just because your piles are supporting your structure doesn’t mean that they have to look like industrial building materials. A pile driving expert will be able to help you pick out piles that add to the look of your structure while being structurally sound at the same time.
Of all the construction processes, using driven piles is one of the most environmentally sound of those available. They produce minimal, if any waste, and no worries about having to dispose of contaminated or hazardous materials.
Poured concrete piles need time to fully cure, which means that installation often has to be done with alternating piles. Driven piles are already cured, so they can be installed one after another for a much faster installation of piles.
