As early as 6500 BCE, the Nabataea traders of Jordan and Syria had started building simple foundations for their houses, some of which still exist today. Today’s foundations are much advanced; there are shallow and deep foundations.
Shallow foundations are applicable if the immediate ground has sufficient load-bearing capacity. If the bearing capacity falls short of the structure’s load, a deep foundation is used.
A pile foundation, a variety of deep foundation methods, comprises long narrow components called piles. A pile driver drives the piles into the ground to provide structural support for buildings, bridges, and other constructions. This technology dates back to the twentieth century, when the double-acting hammers emerged.
Civil, commercial, and marine projects require foundation piles, so many people are investing in the best foundation equipment to promote project efficiency for long-lasting performance. Pile driver machines are a regular sight in construction projects.
But what exactly is a pile driver? How can it be a cornerstone to your guardrail or solar farm projects? This article will explore the types, applications, and tips related to pile drivers.
What does a pile driver mean for a business?
A pile driver is a machine that drives piles of concrete, wood, or steel into the ground, providing a stable foundation. With components like a power source, a hammer, and a rig, a pile driver has the accuracy and strength to meet diverse project needs.
Any business seeking to perform pile installation projects smoothly and cost-effectively should consider investing in reliable pile-driving equipment solutions. Such equipment enhances the reliability of structures. Further, the machines minimize work-related risks, help users work within regulatory requirements, and are highly versatile.
How does a pile driver work?
A durable and high-performance pile driver repeatedly strikes the top of a pile using a hammer and drives the pile into the ground. The driving technique used in the machine gives rise to four categories of machines: Air/steam impact drivers, hydraulic hammers, vibratory hammers, and diesel hammers.
Air/steam Impact Driver
The air/steam type of pile driver derives power from an air compressor or steam boiler. The machine’s air hammer can provide as many as 60 blows per minute and suits virtually any soil condition.
Diesel Hammer Impact Driver
The diesel impact hammer uses a diesel engine, typically a two-stroke one.
Hydraulic Hammer Impact Driver
The hydraulic impact hammer is an improvement of the diesel version. It uses hydraulic power and has more capability than the older technology. It can deliver as many as 80 blows per minute during construction.
Vibratory Hammer Impact Driver
This design has counter-spinning weights as the source of the piling force. These weights get their power from hydraulic motors. The vertical vibrations cancel out the horizontal vibrations. Piling activities undersea use this technology.
Vibratory hammers can also be used to uproot piles. These machines produce the least noise compared to the other technologies but are faster.
What is a pile?
Definition and purpose of a pile
A pile is a long cylindrical material that can be driven into the ground to support a structure built on it. When used in multiples, piles create a pile foundation. This type of foundation is necessary when a structure has significant concentrated loads, for instance, a high-rise building or a water tank. Pile foundations also apply where the surface soil is too weak that the loads of the structure have to be transferred further down to a stronger soil or rock layer.
What types of piles are commonly used?
Considering the above requirements, there are several types of piles. The most common form of piles includes concrete, steel, and timber (wood) piles, each serving different purposes based on the project requirements.
- Concrete pile (precast or cast-in-place)
- Steel pile (H-piles or pipe piles)
- Timber piles
- Mandrel driven piles
Pile Material Selection
Choosing any of these types of piles for your construction should follow a thorough evaluation that accounts for availability, capacity, usability, and performance level. For instance, some projects may only work with the versatility of cast-in-place concrete piles.
The most important consideration when selecting a pile type is load-bearing capacity. Concerning the constructability aspect, the question is about pile damage potential during installation, interference with adjacent structures, and pile-cutting requirements.
Where are pile drivers typically used?
Pile drivers are commonly used in foundation work, marine construction, and building retaining structures. Let’s discuss each of these applications briefly.
Foundation Work
The piles under this category are instrumental in transferring loads of the structure’s vertical columns to a rock or stronger soil layer below. These load-bearing piles transmit load through friction or end-bearing mechanisms.
Friction piles for foundation work rely on sideways force to support the structure. For these, the depth of installation is very important because more of it means more capacity to support the structure.
When relating the pile concept with weak topsoil, the pile type in mind is usually the end-bearing one. This pile rests on strong soil or rock in the ground and uses it to support the structure.
Activities surrounding solar farm projects fall in this category, whereby pile driver machines for solar projects come in handy. Pile foundations for solar farms make sense because they minimize environmental impact are are efficient to install.
Marine Construction
Jetties, quay walls, and many other marine structures rely on piles for foundation support and stability. Installation of piles in this environment is through ingenious methods such as hammering and jetting.
The marine environment is notorious for its ground movements and forces. For marine structures to be steady and robust, using the seabed for support is the perfect solution.
Retaining Structures
Piles are also applicable as retaining structures, specifically providing support for different piling methods. A retaining structure restrains a material (usually soil) in a sloppy area by overcoming the horizontal/lateral pressure from the material.
Retaining structures can apply the support of piles. If the excavation is deep, concrete piles are the most preferable type, with the installation style being contiguous or secant. Shallow excavations are less demanding and can be effectively retained by sheet piles.
Common Pile Driving Challenges and Solutions
The best pile driver machines are cost-effective and reliable in helping users meet project requirements for small and large structures. However, working on soil is bound to bring surprises because there can be too many unknowns. No wonder the most common concrete pile driving challenges are associated with the soil condition.
Understanding the following challenges and applying remedies can enhance the quality of results:
1. The blow count significantly exceeds or falls short of the requirements
If the required blows are significantly higher, there could be a problem with the pile driver, the pile, the ground, or the three.
Check if the pile has enough drivability and if not, fix the issue. The matching of the pile to the driving system should also be established. If the matching is okay, check the driving system and how it is being operated. Make sure every aspect of the pile driver operation is according to the manufacturer’s guide.
If the blow count is much lower than expected, the first culprit is the soil condition or capacity. Soft layers are always a possibility but not guaranteed. Sometimes, the pile has sliced so it is penetrating the soil more easily. Using additional piles is sometimes a remedy, although it is better to first establish the extent of the soil’s condition from the initial analysis.
Analyze the stresses at pile tips and if they are acceptable, check for uneven contact at the pile toe or even an obstruction.
2. Piles Get Damaged
Damage to the piles can happen during the installation process and at any section of the pile. Horizontal cracks can form in concrete piles. Misalignment between the pile and the drop hammer is another cause.
When the damage to the concrete piles is spalling, calculate the amount of stress the pile driver machine is exerting on the pile head. If the force exceeds the allowable stress, consider using a cushion. If low, the pile is probably of low quality.
Sometimes, the issue is a deformed pile head. First, check if the banding, pile head evenness, and steel strength are as recommended. If these are okay, the stress on the pile head is probably too much. If this is established, the most practical solutions are to change the hammer/pile or reduce the stroke of the hammer.
3. Misaligned or misplaced pile installation
When piles are misaligned or get installed at the wrong spot, the hammer-pile alignment or soil conditions are probably the issue. Where alignment is the issue, a pile gate or a fixed-lead system may be the solution.
For piles constantly shifting location, the hammer-pile alignment or soil conditions could still be the problem. Consider using a pile gate or a fixed-lead system.
In some instances, the obstruction is reachable or identifiable. Removing it or pre-drilling the pile points can help.
For more on pile driving challenges, find out more here.
Environmental Considerations
Like a single drop can stir the entire ocean, the effects of pile-driving activity can spread across the environment. The disruption is not just about the soil; it encompasses noise pollution, water contamination, vibrations, and destruction of wildlife habitats.
Both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife are affected by the methods caused by pile driving sounds and vibrations of the drop hammer.
On noise caused by pile driving, impulsive pile driving sounds are a real threat not only to the ecosystem but also to the local community.
It is important to apply appropriate measures against pile driving sounds and vibrations from the equipment’s falling weight. The best manufacturers have quieter pile driver machines. Using sound barriers and operating within work-hour limits is recommended.
Read this handy ground installation solutions guide for some of the ways to manage the pile driving challenges outlined here.
Maintenance and Repair of Pile Drivers
A good pile driving machine maintenance strategy incorporates the following:
Routine Inspections
Visual inspection is important to ascertain the equipment’s general condition, structural integrity, lighting & signals, gauges, and the condition of the exterior surface. Inspect the various materials, components, and systems of the pile driver machine and related items. The hammer, electrical system, engine, leads, and pile caps must all the inspected regularly.
Fluid and Leak Checks
Also on the pile driving machine maintenance checklist are fluids and leakages. Regularly check the fluid levels to ensure the equipment is always operating efficiently and safely. Rule out any leaks in the fuel lines and promptly repair any issues.
Hydraulic Hammer System Maintenance
For the hydraulic hammer, watch out for wear and leaks in the lines. The connections and fittings should be tight. Check also the coolant and engine oil for degradation or low levels to maintain optimal equipment performance and prevent engine failure.
System Safety
Equally important is the condition of the controls and safety devices. These include cabin safety, emergency stop buttons, guards from moving parts, and proper lighting for the equipment. While at it, ensure adherence to the safety training procedures for site personnel and pile-driving machine operators.
What are the benefits of using Everstar pile drivers?
Everstar pile driving solutions are known for their quality, reliability, advanced technology, and versatility in various construction applications.
We are professional pile driver machine manufacturers and suppliers, so quality is guaranteed. We have sold locally and exported and the testimonials from clients have been overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for a highly reliable yet affordable pile driver, you can contact us.
Built using the latest technology, our pile drivers work with incredible power and accuracy, saving you from the common manual hammering. Our team is committed to excellence, something that is evident in innovative features such as quick pile driving and eco-friendly performance.
