Explanation of Pile Driving Equipment
October 15, 2009
Pile driving equipment is used to drive piles into soil or rock to provide support for foundations for buildings, bridges, or marine structures.
One traditional type of pile driver includes a heavy weight placed between guides so that it is able to freely slide up and down in a single line. The weight is placed upon a pile and when the weight reaches its highest point it is then released and smashed onto the pile in order to drive it into the ground. The weight may be raised using hydraulics, steam, diesel or manual labor.
Load bearing piles can be used as:
Friction piles
End-bearing pile
Anchor pile
Friction Piles . End bearing piles can be very expensive to use if firm soil runs deep into the ground. In such situations, piles are driven through the penetrable soil. Load transmission of the structure to the penetrable soil is accomplished by skin friction or cohesion between the soil and embedded surface of the pile. This type of pile is called friction pile due to the properties of cohesion.
Friction piles are often used to support a downward load or an upward load.
End Bearing Piles. The base of an end bearing pile rests on a relatively firm soil such as rock, very dense sand or gravel. The load of the structure is transmitted through the pile into this firm soil. Because the base of the pile bears the load of the structure, this type of pile is known as an end bearing pile.
There are two types of end bearing piles:
1. the preformed timber pile and
2. the in-situ reinforced concrete pile.
Both types transmit their load into the firm soil layer of the ground.
Anchor Piles. An anchor pile is a type of friction pile. This pile is used to restrain uplift or overturning of a structure. Uplift of a structure may be caused by flotation or ground heave. Flotation may occur to an empty underground tank in waterlogged ground. High-rise buildings have a tendency to overturn because of wind load, and bridge piers or retaining walls may overturn due to horizontal loads.
In most cases, piles work on a combination of the base end and the friction of the pile bear the load of the structure. In order to classify a pile as an end bearing pile or a friction pile, we must know which principle is the more prominent in a particular case. Friction is more likely to predominate for piles in clays and silts and where long sockets are formed in soft rocks. End bearing applies to piles terminating in compact gravel, hard clay or rock.
See the pile driving equipment made by ICE
Applications of Micropile Drill Rigs
October 30, 2009
Drill rigs that are used to drill micropiles have become an ally to construction crews in the commercial construction arena. These machines save precious time on projects, allowing for a project to stay on time and within budget for both new construction projects, as well as renovations.
Commercial construction projects vary wildly in scope and size, and site managers and general contractors must be able to cunningly guide their subcontractors through even the most difficult situations. A significant amount of variables effect construction projects including weather conditions, but one of the most challenging obstacles for site construction is the unknown of the unseen; the earth beneath.
Geotechnical engineers perform site investigations to understand the composition of the earth on which a structure will be erected. The data that is gathered, and the analysis of that data, is crucial to the success of the project. Incorrect recommendations could prove to be disastrous; therefore, all elements of the environment must be taken into consideration.
Once the data is analyzed and recommendations are made the project takes shape. During the planning of the project foundation specialists must understand their environment, complete with restrictions that may be imposed by soil conditions, traffic patterns, overhead wires, and population.
A common concern for project managers working in congested areas is the unwanted noise that accompanies a construction project. Local business owners have lobbied their city council for more courteous construction sites as it is argued that consumers will avoid a place of business if the egress to and from the business is near a construction site, due to unwelcomed noise, dust, or debris. In response to the business owner concerns, manufacturers of heavy duty equipment have developed machinery that quells the sounds heard near traditional large job sites. This includes the vibratory pile driver/extractor.
Existing structures that need foundation improvements (such as during renovations) often house multiple businesses that cannot afford to close their doors during the construction period. Utilizing small, yet powerful drill rigs to maneuver inside tight spaces is a significant benefit, as opposed to costly removal of infrastructure such as stairwells.
Comacchio Drill Rigs
October 9, 2009
Micropiles (also called minipiles) are high-performance, high-capacity drilled and grouted piles with diameters typically 5" – 12". These micropiles can extend to depths of 200 feet and can take loads as small as 3 tons or as high as 200 tons.
Generally, micropiles are applicable when there are problems with using conventional deep foundation systems. These problem conditions include: obstructions, adjacent structures, limited access job sites, and other shacky areas like caves, sinkholes, underground rivers. For example, micropiles are commonly the preferred foundation choice in the challenging areas that feature nearby buildings and difficult access.
- The unique characteristics of micropile offers advantages when other deep foundation systems are not applicable include: Limited access situations due to size of equipment. Use the ICE LA-4 for these jobs with up to 9 5/8 casing size
- Environmentally sensitive projects because they create relatively little disturbance to the surrounding area
Installation techniques vary depending on the load bearing specifications of the project. The selection of the installation technique depends largely on soil conditions and load transfer requirements.
Common Uses of Micropiles
- To replace deteriorating foundation systems
- To provide extra support for structures during renovation
- To provide pile foundations where access, geology or environment prevent the use of other methods
- To support structures affected by adjacent excavation, tunneling or dewatering activities
- To provide a fast, effective alternative to more traditional underpinning methods
Benefits of Micropiles
- Can be installed through most ground condition, obstruction and foundation at any incline.
- Ensure minimum vibration or other damage to foundation and subsoil.
- Can be installed in as little headroom as 6' and close to existing walls.
- Depending on situation, could actually allow facility operations to be maintained during construction.
- Simple and economical connection to existing and new structures.
- Can be preloaded to working load before connecting to particularly sensitive structures.
The micropile drill rigs offered by ICE include the following and are designed for use in restricted areas using any of the micropile techniques.
ICE LA-4
Comacchio MC800
Comacchio MC1200 - Micropile Speed Installation due to its long mast stroke
Comacchio MCF04.1
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