Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 11.1. Introduction This chapter provides an introduction to the modern methods of installing sheet piles, taking into account the equipment available for safe working practice with due consideration of site environmental requirements Knowledge of the characteristics of the steel and the section are not enough to guararitee good results prior to installation and this chapter briefly describes the practical information to be considered to ensure proper product installation. It also indicates how pile drivability can be predicted following a thorough evaluation of the ground conditions. This chapter also contains information on pile driving equipment which is current at the time of writing and includes impact hammers, vibratory pile drivers, hydraulic press-in piling and special systems. Descriptions of driving methods, ancillary equipment and guideline procedures to assist in the adoption of good practice when installing sheet piles are also included, Finally some guidance is given on optimization of driving techniques to minimise noise and vibration during installation and extraction. Note: the terms “pre-augering” and “augering” used in this chapter refer to a procedure consisting in loosening the soil with an auger without remnoving the soil fron the hole (as fat 2s practically possible). [Lis sumelitnes alsv called “pre driling’ or “driling’. 11.2. Driving methods 11.2.1. General Whilst it is recognised that, in common with most civil engineering projects, a measure of flexibility is desirable to meet site conditions, every precaution must be taken to maintain the necessary standards of safety whilst giving the required alignment and verticality of the installed piles. Therefore principal consideration must be given to access of plant and labour as well as working positions for handling the piles and threading the sheets together. The length of the piles and height, from which they can be pitched and driven safely and accurately, is also important. Whenever possible, sheet piles should be driven in pairs. The first sheet ples in a wall must be installed with great care and attention to ensure verticality in both planes of the wall. Control of the sheet pile installation must be maintained during both, the pitching and driving phases of the installation process. Twisting of sheet piles at the interlocks should be minimized and prevented to be less than 5 degrees rotation. The principal pile driving methods available to installers are pitch and drive and panel driving, or a method which entails a combination of both by final driving the individual piles in panel form. The features, advantages and disadvantages of each method are described in this chapter. ‘Cope -ntotaon |3Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 1.2.2. Pitch and drive method This method requires equipment to control the verticality of the pile during installation so that piles can be pitched and driven one by one. The pitching ‘operation can be carried out close to ground level, meaning that operatives are potentially at less risk. Downtime in windy conditions can be reduced. Piles can be installed ta final level by this method For example, it is necessary when using the Japanese press-in piling machines, or left at a higher level before final driving using panel driving techniques, as a second stage operation. Usually a different hammer is then to be used. This is called back-driving and is carried out in a particular sequence. Generally heavier more powerful hammers are required in a second stage driving operation for driving into more difficult strata, The piles should always be paired up if possible for the second stage back-driving, The pitch and drive method for completing pile driving is the simplest way of driving piles but is only really suited to loose soils and short piles, For dense sands and stiff cohesive soils or in the case of possible obstructions, pitch and drive is not recommended. However, in suitable conditions, productivity is maximised. Driving direction _—_ fig. 11.1. Ptchand ive stration It is more difficult to control forward lean using the pitch and drive method because the leading lock has less resistance than the trailing or connected lock as a result of soil and interlock friction. Although the piling may commence from a true vertical position, the top of the piles will have a natural tendency to lean in the direction of driving. Very careful site supervision will be needed, otherwise this situation will get progressively worse if not countered. When anticipating driving long straight sections of wall with a planned pitch & drive method, it may be advisable for Engineers to incorporate design features giving changes of direction to the pile line at approximately 50 m intervals. This is important to consider when using some silent press-in pling machines, for example in basement projects. It is to be noted, that it may not be possible to revert back to a panel driving system to (Chupter 1 -nsutaton | 4Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) avoid or correct the forward lean problem without the use of specially fabricated tapered piles. With pitch and drive, the free leading interlock is constantly in danger of rotation in plan which increases, the deeper the free end penetrates the ground, as itis unsupported during the driving operation. When a pile rotates during installation, friction develops in the connected locks, making driving progressively more difficult When using leader rigs, a ground guide waling is recommended to prevent the piles being excessively rotated at the interlock. 11.2.3. Panel driving Piles may be threaded together above the ground in a support frame to form a panel prior to driving. In this situation, both interlocks are engaged before any driving takes place. This balancing of the friction forces ensures maximum control and accuracy. The piles are then driven in stages and in sequence into the ground. Sequential driving enables verticality to be maintained. Sheet piles should be installed or back driven using the panel-driving technique to ensure that good verticality and alignment is achieved and to minimise the risk of driving difficulties or declutching problems. This technique is important for maintaining accuracy when driving long piles or driving into difficult ground. (oper -ntotaton |5Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) When a whole panel of piles has been pitched, there, is no need to drive all piles, completely to maintain progress of the piling operations. During driving, the toe of alternate pairs of piles can be kept clase to the same level. This is ensuring that the maximum stiffness of the piles is maintained and allows for the pile toe to be driven through soil of greater resistance without undue deviation. The interlocks of adjacent piles are effectively guiding the pile being driven through more difficult ground. The lead on the driven pile should be kept to a minimum (refer to Table 11.10.). If obstructions are encountered, individual piles can be left high without fear of disruption to the overall efficiency of the installation process. Engineering decisions can then be taken to attempt to remove the obstruction or drive piles carefully at either side of the obstruction before trying once more to drive or punch through it if further penetration is necessary. Panel driving is the best method for driving sheet piles in difficult ground or for penetrating rack - which is unlikely to be possible with the pitch and drive method, except press-in piling equipment with a crus auger attachment. Piles are usually paired up or neighbouring sheets are leveled up at the head before commencing the hard driving operation with a heavier hammer. Care should be taken when piles are firstly pitched and installed in singles and driven in the first stage with a vibro-hammer. It is easier to execute two stage driving in pairs if the piles are pre-ordered and installed in crimped pairs. Difficulty of pairing up in the panel is, avoided in this way, piles are straighter in plan, and safer more efficient operation of impact hammers can he ensured (Chapter -nsutaion | 6Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 1. iteh, align and plumb 1 pair 2. Drive 1 pir carefully & accurately pitch rest of panel 3. Ensue last pair are accurately positioned & plumbed, drive last pai. 4. Drive reminder of panel - working back towards 1st pal. “panel... 2" panel panel 5. 1 panel part driven. 6. 2nd panel pitched, ast pair of 1* panel Become ‘pair ot 2° panel, Wales supported by through bolting to last driven pair 7.1% panel driven t final oven stages. Last pair of 2” panel plumbed & driven accurately ‘The lower frame is usually let in position after removal of the upper frame until diving is sufficiently progressed fort toberemoved. Fig 11.3, Panel ving, 8.1 panel completed. 2 panel part driven. 2 pancl pitched Last pair of 2" panel becomes 1 pair of 3" panel (hupier 1 tsa] 7Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 1.2.4. Staggered driving Itis essential that the heads of adjacent piles or pairs are kept close together to maximise the pile performance when driving in hard conditions. This means that the installer should keep moving the hammer from one pile pair to another in sequence to advance the toe of the piling with less risk of damage or refusal. This, technique is known as staggered driving, It is nat recommended that piles are advanced more than 2 metres beyond neighbouring piles unless driving conditions are relatively easy for the pile section and equipment used (refer to Table 11.10.) ing dracon ring oston (1. 9,6) ring deton (42) a — =“ ‘Only the reinforcing elements 1, 3,5 are pre-pressed; the ther 2,4, follow. Fig 114, Staggered diving. (Chupter 1 -nsataton | 8Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 1.2.5. Cofferdam and closure installation techniques Fig. 11.5, Greular offerdam and closure. When installing cofferdains or combined walls, accuracy is essential - particularly where it is necessary to pitch a pile of significant length into both adjacent pile interlocks to close a gap. If the gap tapers, it will be very difficult to interlock and drive the closure pile successfully. Therefore the panel driving method is the favoured method for installing structures of this type. It is recommended to pitch all the piles in a cofferdam structure and close all the free interlocks fully before driving. In general Z-piles are to be preterred over U-piles in this case, because ot higher flexibility due to the existing middle interlock. U-piles have the interlock in the well axis, Uus having less rotation capacity. The sheet piles need to be fully supported by temporary framing, Stability needs to be assured by using temporary piles if necessary. With any sheet pile project, the risk of declutching should be minimised especially when it is required to work in dewatered cofferdams When joining walls or closing to fixed positions, panel installation methods are obligatory to maintain accuracy. It is necessary to avoid the risks and potential disaster caused by declutched or damaged piles when planning, designing and executing the works. The panel driving technique is also best for the control of wall length and creep by using appropriate guide walings to facilitate setting out and adjustments. This may be important when dimensions are critical. Curved walls can also be set out using this method with curved walings to suit. (Cope -ntotaon |Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) 11.3. Driving systems The choice of a suitable driving system is of fundamental importance to ensure successful pile installation with due regard to the safety of operatives and environmental disturbance. The basic driving methods are: Impact driving This is the best method for driving piles into difficult ground or final driving of piles to level in panel form. With a correctly selected and sized hammer it is in most conditions the most effective way of completing deep penetration into hard soils. The downside is that it can be quite noisy and not suitable for sensitive or restricted sites as well as driving time is usually longer than with the use of a vibratory hammer. Vibro-driving This is usually the fastest and most economical method of pile installation but usually needs loose or cohesionless soil conditions for best results. Vibration and noise occurs, but this can be kept to a minimum provided the right equipment is used and when conditions are suitable as well as the site does nat expressly require a vibrationless method of installation. Press-in piling Otherwise known as silent vibrationless hydraulic jacking. Machines of various types are now widely used, This method is very effective in fine cohesive soils, but less so in dense coarse soils unless pre-drilling or jetting techniques are used. This is the most effective method to use when installing sheet piles in sensitive locations where piling would have not been considered in the past. Length limitations are given by soil conditions. 114. Types of hammers 1141. Impact hammers ‘There are several types of impact hammers available to suit the particular requirements of the job site. Most impact hammers will involve a piston or ram and an anvil block with a driving cap which spreads the blow to the pile head, The machines are usually supported by a heavy frame or chassis and normally need leg guides set up to fit snugly to the pile section being driven to maintain a vertical position during operation. Alternatively, the hammers can be set up to be supported and aligned by a leader rig, Itis very important that, because of the height and slenderness of these types of hammer, the hammer is prevented from rocking or swaying when delivering powerful blows to the piles. The main differences between hammers are size and mechanism for delivering the blow from the ram. Some hammers deliver the blow freely under gravity; others are able to accelerate the fall of the ram and are described as double acting. Inall cases the effectiveness of driving will depend on the power and efficiency (Chupter 1 -nsutaon [10Piling Handbook, 9th edition (2016) g N z £ soo £ sn 8 § 1000 é s00 = ese 0 a Pile weight (tonnes) Pg. 11.72, Guidance for size of vorotory Rarer (ated by Centrifugal Tore) in ters OF ple weght and arving conditions The necessary centrifugal force can be calculated with the following empiric formula (see EAU 2012, chapter 8.1.23.4.) [v} Fa15x (0+ 2) xe 100 With centrifugal force [kN]; drivingdepth {mi}; me pile weight (kal E adaption factor for driving conditions (value 1.0 ~ 1.2). The amplitude is also an important factor when sizing vibro-drivers 2000 x eccentric moment (kgm) dynamic weight (kg) where the dynamic weight includes the clamp and sheet pile amplitude ~ Easy driving Normal driving Hard driving Typical amplitude <4mm 6mm 8mm Table 17.1, Minimum typico working amplitude requirement fr vio-consider HYS crush piler son Very dificut Suitable Very difficult Pre-auger essential requires =>crush plier required HYS: High Yield Strength Steel Table 17.2. Driving in coarse sais or predominantly cohesioness ground. Driving method C.value Vibro drive Impact drive Press-in Runaway problem 0-15 Easy = use vibro method Possble stabity problem tocrip pile 16-25 Suitable Easy Easy Becoming less effective 26-50 Raion Normal Normal 51-75 Very difficult Normal Normal 76-100 Not recommended pultable Difficult = drive in pairs Suitable Difficult 100+ Not recommended =pessentialto drive => consider ground in pairs pretreatment or jetting Table 11.3, Driving n cohesive strata Chupter 1 -tsaaon| 31