PILE DRIVING EQUIPMENTS

PREPARED BY:
C.UMA
U06CE056
Contents
 What is pile driving
 Types of hammers
 Types of driving accessories
What is Pile Driving
 Definition:
The operation of forcing a pile into the
ground is known as “pile driving”.
 Pile driving is done on “driven piles” and

“driven and cast in-situ piles”.

Fig. Schematic diagram of Pile Driver with Crawler Mounted
Rig
Types of Pile Hammers
 Drop hammer
 Single-acting hammer (steam or pneumatic)
 Double-acting hammer (steam or pneumatic)
 Diesel hammer (internal combustion)
 Vibratory hammer
Drop Hammer

Fig. Schematic diagram of a

drop hammer Fig. Drop hammer
Features of Drop Hammer
 The hammer or ram is raised by pulley and
which is allowed to fall on top of the pile.
 This is the simplest type.
 The drop hammer is simple but very slow and

is used for small jobs only.

Single-Acting Hammer
 In this type, hammer is raised by steam or
compressed air and is allowed to drop on the
pile head.
 Weight of hammer 1000 to 10000 kg
 Height of fall 60 to 90 cm
 Advantage: the blows may be delivered much

more rapidly than in case of drop hammer.

Fig. Single acting hammer showing various strokes during driving
action
Double-Acting Hammer

Fig. Double-acting hammer Fig. Schematic diagram of a

typical drop hammer
Features of Double-acting hammer
 Steam or air pressure is employed to lift the
ram and then accelerate it downward.
 The blows are more rapid; 90 to 240 blows

per minute.
 Less time required to drive the pile
 Easy pile driving
 Weight of ram may be 1000 to 2500 kg.
Suitability of Double-Acting Hammer
 Steam operated hammers are more efficient
with circulating steam generators.
 If the hammer is to be operated under wayer,

compressed air type operation is necessary.

 Advantage: pile in continuous motion,

reduced effect of impact, thus minimal

damage to pile head
Diesel Hammer
 Works on internal combustion of diesel oil.
 Energy provided both for raising the hammer

and for downward stroke.

 These can be single or double acting type
 This type is self contained, economical and

simple.
 A hydraulic pressure activated hammer is

faster and lighter compared to equivalent

steam hammers.
Fig. Diesel hammers
Vibratory Hammer
 The driving unit operates at high frequency
and thus, the driving is quick and quiet.
 A variable speed oscillator is used for the

purpose of creating resonance condittions.

 Easy penetration of the pile with a relatively

small driving effort.

Fig. Vibratory hammer
Types of Vibratory Hammers
 Low frequency hammers
 Medium frequency hammers
 High frequency hammers
 Sonic or resonant hammers
 Impact vibration hammer
Driving accessories
 It is not possible for striking the end of the
ram of an impact hammer to directly adapt
itself to all shapes of piles; therefore, it is
necessary to have driving accessories of
various types to be inserted between the
bottom of the hammer and the pile.
Various Driving Accessories
 Hammer cushion
 Anvil
 Helmets
 Mandrels
 Pile cushions
 Pile caps
Fig. Hammer cushions
Fig. Pile driving accessories
Refernces
 “GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING”, by
C.Venkatramaiah, “Wiley Easter Ltd”
 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), Pile driving

equipment
Thank you!