Pile Driving Equipment

Pile DrivingEquipment2015 PDCA Professor Driven Pile InstitutePatrick HanniganGRL Engineers, Inc.

Pile Driving System ComponentsPrimaryComponents:ComponentsRequired inSpecial Cases:CraneLeadsHammerHelmetCushionsPile GateTemplateFollowerJetting EquipmentDrilling EquipmentSpudding Equipment

Pile Driving SystemLeadBoomHammerHelmetMonkeyPilePile GateCraneSpotter

Swinging LeadLeadBoomHammerHelmetCranePilePile GateStabbingPoints

Swinging LeadLeadPlatformHammerAmerican or Box Lead

Swinging LeadLeadHammerEuropean or Truss Lead

Fixed LeadLeadBoomHammerHelmetPilePile GateCraneSpotter

Fixed Lead

Offshore e

TemplatesPrefabricated or site constructed steel frameinto which piles are set to hold piles in theproper position & alignment during driving.Typically used when offshore leads orswinging leads are used over water.

Hammer TypesDropGravityAirSingle actingDouble actingDifferential actingDieselSingle acting (open end)Double acting (closed end)HydraulicSingle actingDouble actingVibratoryStandardVariable moment

Hammer TypesDropGravityAirSingle actingDieselSingle acting (open end) Most CommonDouble actingDifferential actingDouble acting (closed end)HydraulicSingle actingDouble actingVibratoryStandardVariable moment

Drop HammersFeaturesRam raised by crane lineEfficiency of drop controlledby operator and systemComments Low equipment cost Simple Slow operation Inconsistent stroke

Single ActingAir HammersFeaturesExternal compressor supplies powerRelatively heavy ram, short strokeStroke controlled by 1 or 2 slide barsettings: 3 ft, 3 or 5 ft, 2 or 4 ftCommentsAir pressure, volume, and soilresistance can influence actual strokeby as much as 3 to 6 inches

Single-Acting Air/SteamHammer OperationPistonRamHelmetPile

Double Acting Air HammerDifferential Acting Air Hammer

Single Acting Diesel HammersFeaturesVariable fuel settingsRelatively light ram, long strokePotential energy WhMost common hammer typeCommentsStroke depends on: fuel input pile stiffness soil resistance

Single Acting Diesel Hammer Operationa) Trippingb) FuelInjectionc) Compression- Impact

Single Acting Diesel Hammer Operationd) Explosione) Exhaustf) Scavenging

Fuel Input ControlContinuously variableFixed settingsControlling fuel quantity can help adjust stroke height.

Ram - strokeH [ft] 4.01 (60 / BPM)2 – 0.3

Double Acting Diesel

Hydraulic HammersFeaturesExternal hydraulic power sourceVariable and controllable strokeRelatively heavy ram, short strokeIncreasing in usageCommentsMost models have energy readoutSome models work underwater

HydraulicHammerSchematicsSingle ActingDouble Acting

Hydraulic HammersObserve stroke

Most hydraulichammers havebuilt-in monitors

Hydraulichammerdesigned forlow headroomoperation

Vibratory HammersVibratory hammers consist of threemajor components; the vibratorycase, the vibratory suppressor, andthe hydraulic clamp. The vibratory case containseccentric weights that rotate in avertical plane to create vibration.The vibration suppressor containsrubber elastomers to isolate thevibratory case from the crane line.The hydraulic clamp attaches thevibratory hammer to the ntricWeightsHydraulicClampPile

Helmets Configuration and size depends upon thelead type, hammer type & size, as well asthe pile type. One piece or base with insert models. Helmets should fit loosely, approximately2 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) larger thanpile diameter.

Helmet ComponentsStriker PlateHammer CushionAdapterHelmetBox Lead GuidewayPile Cushion(concrete pile)

One Piece Helmets

Base Helmet with Insert

Hammer CushionsMaterials placed between the pile hammerram and the helmet to relieve impactshock and thereby protect the hammerwhile at the same time transmit consistentenergy to the pile

Hammer CushionsConbest (Phenolic fiber)and aluminum platesBlue NylonAluminum and Micarta

Hammer Cushions

H-pile Helmet andHammer Cushion SectionPhoto Courtesy of Van Komurka

Pile Cushions Concrete piles require a pile cushionbetween the helmet and the pile lead Typically made of plywood, hardwood,plywood & hardwood composites, orother man-made materials Typical thickness 4 inches (min) to 12inches or more

Pile CushionsPile cushiondeteriorating after2,000 blowsCan stop drivingand replace pilecushion if need tocontinue driving

Pile CushionsPile cushionthickness changesduring drivingNew 8 inchesAfter 1400 blows 5.5 inches

Pile Hammer Selection Important for the Contractor & Engineer toestablish optimum hammer size for a job Too small a hammer may not be able to drivethe pile to the required capacity Too large a hammer may damage the pile Best tool for hammer selection is a waveequation analysis.

Installation AidsFollowersUsed to save pile lengthJettingUsed to penetrate dense granular layersPredrillingUsed in cohesive soils / embankmentsSpuddingUsed in debris fills

Followers Is a member interposed between a pile hammerand a pile to transmit blows when the pile head isbelow the reach of the hammer Use of a follower is accompanied by a loss ofenergy delivered to the pile due to compressionof the follower & losses in connection

Jetting The use of a water or air jet to facilitatepile driving by displacing parts of the soil Jetting is useful in driving piles throughvery dense granular material

InternalPileCleanout

Predrilling Soil augers or drills used where jetting isinappropriate / ineffective to- Penetrate obstructions, boulders, debris fills- Facilitate pile placement through embankments- Reduce ground movements Predrilled hole diameter 4 inches less thandiagonal of square pile, or 1 inch less thandiameter of round pile

Spudding The act of opening a hole through densematerial by driving or dropping a short &strong member & then removing it Used as an alternate to jetting orpredrilling in upper soil consisting ofmiscellaneous fill

Any Questions

Pile Driving Equipment 2015 PDCA Professor Driven Pile Institute Patrick Hannigan GRL Engineers, Inc. Pile Driving System Components Primary Components: Crane Leads Hammer Helmet Cushions Pile Gate Components Required in Special Cases: Template Follower Jetting Equipment Drilling Equipment Spudding