Pile Driving Inspector

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PREFACE

Engineers and Contractors have been designing and constructing roadways,

structures, and bridges throughout Florida for years. Quality was expected to be
achieved partially through the monitoring of construction by the Department’s
Inspection staff. In the mid 1990s, the Federal government adopted 23 CFR 637B,
which in general, requires that qualified personnel perform all sampling and testing
on transportation projects.

The Florida Department of Transportation, in its continuing efforts to ensure

quality in both design and construction, developed a program for qualifying
Inspectors, which is the Construction Training Qualification Program (CTQP). To
achieve the Quality goals of the Department, it was determined that a Pile Driving
Inspector’s Qualification course be developed to provide for qualification of
personnel as Pile Driving Inspectors. It was felt that a course of instruction
specifically developed for inspection of driven piles during construction would
increase the overall quality of the installation.

The course was originally developed in 1999 and has undergone several
revisions since then, with the last revision in January 2015. The present
version of the class is based on the July 2018 FDOT specifications.

__________________________________

Juan F. Castellanos, PE
State Construction Geotechnical Engineer
Florida Department of Transportation
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I. INTRODUCTION

The Pile Driving Inspector Qualification course is a stand-alone training course developed
to provide a basis for state qualification of personnel as inspectors of Pile Driving
construction on FDOT projects. The goal of this course is to provide Inspectors with the
practical knowledge, accepted standard Industry practices and SSRBC Specifications for
fulfilling the role of a Pile Driving Inspector. This course is designed to be the most benefit
to Contractor, FDOT, and CEI personnel involved in performing inspection of driven pile
construction operations. Presentation of the course is an interactive format, utilizing Adult
Learning Techniques, so that the students are actively involved in the learning
experience.

II. COURSE ORGANIZATION

Instructors using an Instructor’s Guide Workbook will present the course using various
visual aids such as computer generated slides, videos, class exhibits, handouts, and
other presentation aid tools.

All students will be provided with a copy of the Student Workbook, which will serve as the
primary course workbook and a laptop computer to use for the course. The workbook
follows the course content in sequential Lesson order as presented by the Instructors.
The lower half of the pages in the Student Workbook are used to present select reference
material, comments, illustrations, etc. that relate to the subject slide content. Student
exercises are designed to promote interaction in the classroom, and to illustrate or detail
procedures or processes. The class exercises are contained within the workbook in the
applicable lesson. The course is divided into 10 Lessons of instruction and information.
The presentation sequence of the Lessons follows the Student Workbook.

The course is typically designed to run from:

Day 1 & 2 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Day 3 – 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Review and Written Examination
All students should be advised to bring or be supplied calculators that can perform basic
math, work with negative numbers (a +/- function), a built in “Pi” ( 𝜋 ) function, and square
root functions.
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Provider Required Course Exhibits/ Materials

Providers/Instructors are to provide the following classroom materials and exhibits, in

addition to class manuals, computers, visual aids, exams, etc.

- Set of hammer cushions for classroom display (polymer, hammortex, aluminum,

micarta, steel plate).
- Plywood Pile cushion
- Saximeter, with means to project a demonstration of its use.

III. TARGET AUDIENCE

The primary audience is Contractor, FDOT, and CEI personnel involved in performing
Pile Driving inspection on FDOT projects. Experienced and inexperienced inspectors as
well as, project management and construction managers in responsible charge of projects
are encouraged to attend. To become a qualified pile driving inspector, the candidate
must pass a written examination. In addition, a minimum pile driving on-site experience
is required, which includes a minimum of 15 driven piles with at least ten piles driven with
open end Diesel hammers. Please refer to the CTQM manual, chapter 6. Prior to attend
the class, FDOT employees must complete courses in Basic Construction Plan Reading,
Basic Construction Math, FDOT On-Line Pile Driving Tutorial and Module B, Pile Program
Tutorial, in addition to having high school algebra level math skills and any other
requirements listed in the Construction Training Qualification Manual.

IV. COURSE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Course Goal

The goal of this course is to provide potential Pile Inspectors with a basic knowledge and
working understanding of the role, responsibilities and duties of a Pile Inspector. This
course is based upon existing FDOT Standard Specifications and procedures, and
applicable construction industry procedures and standards.

Course Objectives

• Explain the Inspector’s role, duties, and responsibilities.

• Describe the Pile Driving System components.
• Recognize key inspection elements of the Contract Documents.
• Identify proper Communication and Coordination with the Engineer and Contractor.
 Pile Driving Inspector
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• Identify the key elements of a Pile Installation Plan.

• Recognize and identify Pile Driving system components and tools.
• Verify tip elevations, cutoff elevations, pile penetration, and length driven for vertical
and battered piles.
• Perform inspection of pile driving operations and verify compliance to construction
tolerances.
• Understand the pile acceptance procedures based on Driving Criteria and the
Specifications.

V. RECCOMMENDATIONS TO STUDENTS

Students are recommended to become familiar with the content of the manuals including
lessons attachments and the appendices.

Also there are important items in the Appendices such as the specifications, Pile Payment
summary tables, Pile Inspector’s checklist and blank forms of the Pile Installation plan
and the Pile Driving record with instructions. Students will be able to refer to these
specifications during the exam.

Homework exercises are included in one presentation. However the slides are divided
internally into homework 1 and homework 2 to be assigned to the students by the
instructors on days 1 and 2 respectively.
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AGENDA
PILE DRIVING INSPECTOR’S QUALIFICATION COURSE
Reference
Agenda Document Course Lesson Instructor Guide Summary

Day 1

8:00-8:30 Student 1. Welcome & Introduction Introduction of Instructors, Students.

Manual a. Presentation Discuss course rules, restrooms,
breaks, and agenda. Play Pile Video.

8:30-9:30 Student 2. Equipment & Tools Explain the different components of

Manual a. Presentation the pile driving system, equipment
Chapter 2 and tools. Review the various pile &
hammer types, cushions and other
tools.
9:30-9:45 BREAK

9:45-11:00 Student 2. Equipment & Tools

Manual
Chapter 2 (Continued)

11:00-12:00 Student 3. Construction Documents Review sample Plan Set, pointing out
(5-10 min. break, Manual a. Presentation and discussing significant items of
as needed.) Chapter 3 b. Pile Drive Program importance to the Inspector. Review
and explain the sample Pile
Installation Plan and its’ requirements
and significance. Begin use of Pile
Drive Program on computer.
12:00-1:00 LUNCH

1:00-2:30 Student 3. Construction Documents

(5-10 min. break, Manual
as needed.) Chapter 3 (Continued)

2:30-4:30 Student 4. Inspector’s Role Review the Inspector’s role and

(5-10 min. break, Manual a. Presentation responsibility. Explain the various
as needed.) Chapter 4 items and documents that the
Inspector must have in their “Tool
Box” before going to the site. Review
Pay Quantities and Inspector Math.

4:30-5:00 Test Pile 5. Test Pile Program Test Pile program. Perform
a. Presentation Saximeter demonstration.
b. Saximeter Demonstration

5:00-Class Dismissal - assign Homework Day 1 : Problems 1 through 10

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AGENDA
PILE DRIVING INSPECTOR’S QUALIFICATION COURSE
Reference
Agenda Document Course Lesson Instructor Guide Summary

Day 2

8:00-8:30 Homework Homework Review Review Homework

8:30-10:00 Student 5. Test Pile Program Review the Test Pile program, Driving
Manual Criteria Letter and Authorized Pile
10-15 min. Stretch Chapter 5 (Continued) Length Letter.
Break (when
convenient)

10:30-12:00 Student 6. Contractor, Equipment & Explain the various responsibilities

Manual Piles Arrive On-site and duties required of the Inspector
10-15 min. Stretch Chapter 6 when the Contractor and equipment
Break (when a. Presentation arrive on-site. Introduce the Pile
convenient) b. Checklist Handout Driving Inspector’s Checklist.

7. Begin Pile Driving

12:00-1:00 LUNCH

1:00-3:00 Student 7. Begin Pile Driving Explain the various responsibilities

Manual and duties required of the Inspector
10-15 min. Stretch Chapter 7 (Continued) as pile driving begins. Discuss the
Break (when various items to check and verify.
convenient) a. Presentation Enter data in the Pile Drive Program.
b. Pile Drive Program

3:00-5:00 Student 8. Piles Bearing & Explain the “When to Stop Driving”
Manual Acceptance issues. Review the Acceptance
10-15 min. Stretch Chapter 8 Determination Chart. Conduct the
Break (when a. Presentation class exercises on When to Stop.
convenient) b. When to Stop exercises

5:00-Class Dismissal - assign Homework Day 2: Problems 11 through 20

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AGENDA
PILE DRIVING INSPECTOR’S QUALIFICATION COURSE
Reference
Agenda Document Course Lesson Instructor Guide Summary

Day 3

8:00-8:45 Homework Homework Review and Review Homework

Review Questions.

8:45-9:00 Break

9:00-12:00 Examination 30 minutes to complete the bubble

sheets and 2 ½ hours maximum time
to complete the test
 Pile Driving Inspector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON No. CONTENTS Page

1 Welcome and Introduction 1-1

a. Introduction 1-1
b. The Process 1-8

2 Pile Driving System 2-1

a. Pile Driving System Components 2-3
b. Pile Types 2-4
c. Hammers 2-28
d. Cushions 2-49
e. Cranes and Leads 2-60
f. Templates 2-68
g. Soil 2-75
h. Special Installation Tools 2-78

3 Construction Documents 3-1

a. Plan Set Review 3-11
b. Pile Installation Plan 3-40
c. Pile Driving Record 3-50

4 Inspector's Role 4-1

a. Inspector's Role 4-3
b. Inspector Performance Accountability 4-10
c. Assemble Your Toolbox 4-22
d. Pay Quantities 4-28
e. Inspector's Math 4-60

5 Test Pile Program 5-1

a. Purposes and Process 5-3
b. Test Piles 5-6
c. Methods of Testing Piles 5-12
d. Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) 5-15
e. Embedded Data Collectors (EDC) 5-21
f. Dynamic Load Tests 5-25
g. Driving Criteria letter, Production Lengths Letter 5-37

6 Contractor, Equipment and Piles Arrive on Site 6-1

a. Monitor Existing Structures 6-3
b. Checking Equipment 6-26
c. Checking Piles 6-40
d. Check Templates 6-67

October 2018
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

7 Begin Pile Driving 7-1
a. Inspector's Role 7-3
b. Tolerances 7-5
c. Site Prep, Predrilling, Preforming 7-12
d. Verify Marking of Piles 7-30
e. Concrete Pile Extensions and Build-ups 7-34
f. Steel Pile Splices 7-54
g. Penetration 7-58
h. Bearing Requirements 7-63
i. Data Recording 7-65
j. Check Hammer Settings 7-67
k. Check Cushions 7-80
l. Pile Damage 7-97

8 Piles Bearing and Acceptance 8-1

a. Acceptance Methods 8-5
b. Bearing Requirements 8-7
c. Method 1- Conventional Test Pile & Driving Criteria 8-12
d. Other Methods for Pile Acceptance 8-54

Appendices
1 Homework - 20 Problems
2 July 2018 Section 108: Monitoring Existing Structures
3 July 2018 Section 455, from 455-1 to 455-12: Piles
4 Standard Plan Index 455-001
5 Precast Concrete Pile Payment Summary Table
6 Steel Pile Payment Summary Table
7 Pile Inspector's Checklist
8 Pile Driving Installation Plan Form
9 Plan Set Sample and PIP sample from Module 3
10 Pile Driving Log Sample
11 Pile Driving Log instructions
12 CTQM Chaper 6

October 2018