NAIROBI WESTERN BYPASS

TRAINING REPORT

DERRICK ODHIAMBO

INTERN

PILE FOUNDATION (KM 3+789)

KING’ERO INTERCHANGE

JANUARY

2020
Drilling

The overburden material was removed using a shovel after which the center of the pile

was located using the total station. Pile rig machine was used to drill 2m deep, a coffer dam of

1.6m diameter and 2m height was installed to prevent collapse of the top soil. Bentonite was

mixed with water and poured into the hole to prevent the wall from collapsing during drilling.

As the geological formation changed from soil to rock the drilling bucket was also

changed. Drilling continued until hard rock was obtained and the depth of pile embedded in rock

ranged from 2m to 6m. A weighted tape was continually used to measure the depth. The

approximate drilled depth was 16m and 1.2m diameter as per the design.

Steel Reinforcement Cage

The steel reinforcement used was tied at the precasting yard as per the design and

transported to the site. At the site it was hoisted using a crane into the hole. Upon completion

surveyors confirmed the level of the steel cage as per the design to ensure the level of the base

will be achieved during construction before concrete could be poured.

Casting of Concrete C30/20 Under Water

Tremie pipes 2.5m in length were connected and inserted into the hole leaving an

allowance of about 0.5m from the bottom of the hole and pipe. A conical hopper with a plug was

connected at the top. For first concrete pour, concrete was poured using a mixer into the hopper

and filled to the brim. The plug was removed and concrete gushed into the hole displacing the

water. The conical hopper was replaced with a smaller hopper. The lower end of the pipe was

left immersed in fresh concrete for displacement of water by rising concrete from the bottom.
After every 2.5m filling of concrete one tremie pipe was removed and pouring continued till the

required level.

Quality Control

Laboratory

Core cutting of the rocks from the hole were done and samples taken to the lab to check

for strength. Slump test for samples from every concrete mixer was done to check whether the

slump was between 180-200mm. Concrete cubes were cast on site and after setting were later

taken to the lab for compressive test.

Inspection

Inspectors ensured that the reinforcement cage was tied as per the design at the precasting

yard before being transported to the site. The depth of drilled hole was continually measured

using a weighted tape. Pouring of concrete was closely monitored to ensure the process was

carried out to a high standard.

Level Checking

Once the steel reinforcement cage was inserted into the drilled hole, the survey team

confirmed the level as per the design before casting of concrete. This was to ensure the design

level of the base would be obtained after construction.

Challenge

The challenge experienced was bad weather in which excessive rainfall affected ground

conditions making work difficult.

Conclusion

Concrete compressive strength at 7days were greater than 30N/mm2 and compressive

strength of cores ranged from 7N/mm2 to 36N/mm2 .Thus, work done was as per the

specification and of high standard.

Concrete Casting Steel Reinforcement Cage

Slump Test Pile Drilling