Well-known pile hammer manufacturer APE has purchased technology for driving and coupling large diameter helical piles that could help make this technology more mainstream. Rather than pounding the pile into the ground, the steel drill pipe casing is rotated using patented couplers in a way that reminds me of a giant socket wrench or an Allen wrench. The base of the pile can be post-grouted, or grouted during installation. APE notes that this technology is ideal for environmentally sensitive areas where pile driving is not an option. Piles up to 42 inches in diameter have been successfully installed and load tested. [Source: APE News. Image: APE]
Related Articles
Balfour Beatty patents UK’s first zero waste piling system
December 12, 2013
rockman
Available Resources
Comments Off on Balfour Beatty patents UK’s first zero waste piling system
New Sheet Piling Installation Manual
The North American Steel Sheet Piling Association (NASSPA) has released a Sheet Piling Installation Manual. It has a nice overview of different hammer systems and covers issues such as driving systems and methods, templates, cofferdams, driving corrections, driving assistance and extraction. (Photo courtesy of NASSPA)
NASSPA promotes the use of steel sheet piling through the development and dissemination of technical information. This guide was compiled to assist the designer, contractor, or owner with the construction of steel sheet pile walls.
Download the Steel Sheet Piling Installation Guide – Best Practices