by Piling machines play a crucial role in civil engineering and construction projects. They help drive piles into the ground to form foundations for buildings, bridges, dams and other structures. Different types of piling machines are used depending on the piling method and soil conditions. This article provides an overview of popular piling machines and their working.
Types of Piling Machines
One of the most common types is impact driven piling machines. They use hammering action to drive piles into the ground. There are primarily two types – diesel hammers and hydraulic hammers. Diesel hammers use a diesel engine to power the hammer, while hydraulic hammers use hydraulic cylinders. Impact hammers come in various hammer masses ranging from 5 to 50 tons depending on pile size and ground conditions. They are suitable for driving precast concrete, steel and timber piles in gravel, sand and some stiff clay soils.
Screw Piling Machines
Screw piling machines are specially designed to install screw piles. A screw pile consists of a hollow shaft with hardened steel helical plates welded to it. These machines have a rotating spindle that turns the screw pile as it penetrates into the ground. Turning action causes piles to self-install in soils that are too stiff for impact driven piles. Common applications include soil nailing, slope stabilization and underpinning foundations. They cause minimal ground vibration and soil disturbance.
Vibratory Driven Piling Machines
Vibratory pile drivers function by generating vertical vibrations at high frequency through an internal eccentric weight. Piles are attached to the vibratory head which when operated, causes the pile to penetrate into the ground under its own weight. These are commonly used for installing precast concrete and steel piles in cohesive soils like silt and clay where impact hammers may damage the pile during driving. Vibration consolidates the soil around piles resulting in higher capacity.
More Complex Piling Machines
Auger Boring Machines: Used for installing drilled or bored concrete piles by continuously removing soil as concrete is added from the top. Good for difficult ground conditions and large pile diameters.
Hydraulic Drilling Rigs: For bored piling in hard soils and soils with large boulders where standard auger machines cannot be used. They allow installation of piles of virtually any cross-section and diameter.
Sheet Pile Installation Equipment: Specialized vibratory, impact and hydraulic machines drive interlocking sheet piles into the ground to form cofferdams and retaining walls during construction works near rivers and coasts.
Crawler Crane Mounted Piling Rigs: Large capacity crane mounted hydraulic rigs are used to install large diameter bored piles for high rise buildings and bridges.
Working of Common Piling Machines
The desired pile is lifted into position by crane/slew and held in alignment by pile driving leads. The hammer is raised using hydraulic cylinders and then allowed to free fall under gravity onto the pile head. This develops a strong downward impulse force. Hundreds or thousands of hammer blows are required to advance the pile to the design depth depending on soil conditions. Pile installation is monitored using markers welded along its length.
Vibratory driven Piling Machines generate vertical vibrations at the pile head of a frequency typically within the range of 1500-2500 vibrations per minute. This causes the soil grains to rearrange and densify around the pile letting it penetrate by its self-weight. Vibrations are generated using offset counterweights rotating at high speeds. Installation times are faster compared to impact hammers.
For screw piles, the rotating spindle turns the helical plates which penetrate the soil through screw motion. Plate shape and size are optimized for different soil types. They install much faster than other methods in cohesive soils but require a powerful hydraulic motor.
Hydraulic drills and auger machines remove soil continuously as fresh concrete is pumped into the drilled bore. Multiple augers cut soil which is lifted and discharged outside. Process is repeated section-wise to achieve the design pile depth.
New Technological Advancements
Recent years have witnessed advanced computerized monitoring systems being introduced in piling machines. Pile installation parameters like depth, blow counts, installation resistance can now be analyzed in real-time. This helps optimize driving sequences, estimate pile capacities more accurately and control operations remotely.
Sensor equipped hammers and vibrators give live feedback on hammer performance. New piling leads have automatic pile alignment and guidance. Hybrid systems combine vibration with impact driving in difficult ground. Remote operation via joysticks improves operator safety by keeping them away from active work areas. All these factors are improving productivity, reducing installation times and costs on piling projects.
Safety Considerations
Proper maintenance and inspection of pile driving equipment is critical to ensure safe working. Protective structures must shield moving parts and operators from hazards. Noise cancellation equipment prevents hearing damage. Vibrations are isolated to avoid structural damage. Water injection systems minimize dust during hammer operations near habitations. Working zones need to be clearly demarcated and access restricted to authorized personnel only. Suitable personal protective equipment including hard hats, safety boots and high visibility clothing must be used at all times. Regular safety drills and compliance with regulations keep risks under control.
Future Prospects
The piling globally is expanding steadily owing to growing infrastructure needs across sectors. Technological upgrades are expected to further automate and digitize piling machinery. New ground improvement methods may potentially reduce piling requirements. Hybrid renewable energy systems may power equipment to lower emissions. However, traditional impact, vibratory and bored piling will continue playing a key role in foundation works for many years to come with demands catered through advanced machine designs. Increased application of piling in marine, mining and tunnel projects also provides growth opportunities. Overall, piling machinery manufacturers have a promising future ahead with technologies centered on boosting productivity and safety.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
