Do you know the specifications of your job and want to rent or purchase a pile driver? We can recommend the fastest and most cost effective pile driving solution available. Here is the information that we need to come up with the most accurate recommendation:<
- Type, size, weight, and length of the pile to be driven.
- Ground conditions on site. Soil borings are very helpful if they are available.
- Available equipment on site such as excavators or cranes.
- Reason why piles are required for the job.
Here are some details on each of these bullet points that will help you understand the process of selecting a pile hammer type and size.
Type, size, weight, and length of the pile to be driven:
- Different types of pile include sheet piles, H-piles, timber piles, pipe piles, and concrete piles. There are sub-categories within each pile type as well as different sizes, lengths, and weight per foot of each pile. General type, length, and weight are the most important factors when determining the best way to drive the pile.
Ground conditions:
- It is very important to know the soil type, density, and moisture content including water table when preparing to drive pile or drill on a job site.Generally, non-cohesive soils such as sand, gravel, and silt are better for vibratory hammers. Cohesive soils such as clay generally need an impact hammer such as a pile driving rig, diesel hammer, or air pile driver. Drilling rigs can get through just about anything but may require casing in non-cohesive soils or when groundwater is near the surface.
Available equipment on site:
- When a crane is available on the job for other purposes, it makes sense to use that crane for the pile driving operation. It is easier to set up the pile driving equipment and keep the pile plumb while driving pile with a crane. When a crane is not already on site, using an excavator to drive pile is much more cost effective than mobilizing a crane solely for the purpose of pile driving. Excavators can be equipped with side clamp vibratory hammers to extend their reach and drive pile where there is low overhead space.
Purpose of driving pile on the job:
- The best pile driving solution depends on the reason why piles are required on the job. Applications such as support of excavation, trench safety, environmental protection, and erosion control generally do not require the contractor to prove a bearing capacity on the piles. Piles for building foundations, docks, and other structures require a specified bearing capacity. This requirement is important to consider when choosing the correct pile driving equipment.
Even if you do not have all of this information listed, we can help you get on the right track with strategy and cost estimation. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your job.
