Driving Sheet Pile Walls
There are several ways of driving sheet pile walls into position; threading into pre-cut trenches, pressed, impact-driven and vibratory driven.
Threading sheet pile walls into pre-cut trenches is a suitable technique for use on most soils. After a trench has been excavated or holes drilled in the ground, they are filled with a suspension and sheet piles can be driven in up to their full depth.
Pressing sheet pile walls is a process that can be used if there are noise and vibration limitations due to the construction taking place in residential areas or near to existing buildings. The sheet piles are driven into the ground by hydraulic pressure. The pressing plant can be supported by a crane, guided by a leader or be supported by heads already in position.
Impact driven sheet pile walls can be positioned in the ground using either slow or rapid-action systems. Drop hammers and diesel hammers are slow-action, with between 24 and 32 blows per minutes and are used in cohesive soils. These hammers allow the pore water pressure to disperse between blows. Rapid-action hammers give between 100 and 400 blows per minute at a lighter driving weight than slow-action hammers.
Vibratory sheet pile driving is derived from harmonic excitation of the sheet pile, causing the restructuring of the soil along with decreasing the friction between the soil and sheet pile. Harmonic excitation is produced by eccentric weights in the vibrator.
Piling Rig Accident
Two construction companies have been fined for an accident that occurred in December 2007 on Tower Street in Hull. On the busy street in rush hour, a piling rig being used for the construction of a hotel fell over and rolled into the middle of the road.
Amazingly, no one was killed or even injured in the event, but both companies, who pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety Work Act, have been fined. The main contractor, Multibuild, who provided the stone platform on which the piling rig worked, have been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £18,687 in costs. Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering Ltd, who were sub-contractor, responsible for carrying out the work, have been fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £17,676 in costs.
Dave Redman, the HSE Inspector, has said that, “It is every company’s responsibility to ensure that employees and members of the public are not exposed to danger from heavy construction machinery. There is extensive guidance governing safe working in this sector, and we hope today’s prosecution serves to remind people of their duties so that we don’t witness an incident of this kind again.”
Piling Rig Working Platform Guide
It is important that working platforms for piling rig contractors are robust to ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines. Accidents are very dangerous on piling rig platforms and can often prove fatal. The platform needs to be stable to prevent it from settling into the ground under the weight and pressure of the piling equipment.
Piling rig working platforms are made from granular material that is crushed and compacted. For extra support geotextiles are also used. The thickness of the platform is decided by several factors. The rig type including the model, manufacturer and also how the machine is set up for use. The soil type and soil strength; whether it is cohesive (clay) or cohesionless (sand, gravel, most chalks)
Piling rig working platforms should be at least 2m longer than the construction area any ramp platforms should be should be at a safe and suitable angle. If it was necessary to remove any obstructions and holes were left then they must be backfilled properly so that there are no soft ground areas.
Ensure a safe piling rig working platform by following these guidelines and serious accidents will be avoided.
Decline of Home Construction in US
There has been a drop in the number of houses being built in the US during the month of June. According to Commerce Department figures, US home construction is at its lowest level since October 2009.
Builders have been forced to hold back on building projects despite a reported 2.1% increase in building permit applications. This is a positive sign for the future but with the current US unemployment rate being under 10% there are no advancements as yet.
New home and apartment developments fell 5% between May and June which was triggered by a 20% decrease in demand for apartments and condominiums.
High unemployment rates are cancelling out mortgage rates being at a record low. The figures have highlighted the fragility of the US recovery.
T.V. STARS IN THE MAKING?
Two of our piling operatives, Robert Clegg and Lewis Woodruff appeared in the Channel 4 Documentary featuring traditional Public Houses and more specifically those named “The Red Lion” throughout the UK.
The pair were shown playing rugby for the Red Lion’s Whitworth Spartans who have coincidentally been sponsored by MK Piling for a number of years.
The pair talked about their enjoyment both on and off the pitch and the programme showed the obligatory post match rugby drinking games with their fellow team mates. All in good fun and whilst their small screen debut was a success we are that Ant and Dec have nothing to fear……….. just yet!
Whitworth Spartans
The Red Lion
MK Piling (North West) Offer New Complete Service
We are pleased to be able to offer a fully comprehensive setting out package for builders/develope
rs, house owners and self-build projects, which require the services of fully qualified and insured site engineers.
These service include for the setting out of, pile positions, foundations, building lines, sewers, levels, profiles and as-built surveys. References are available upon request and our charges are very competitive.
We feel that the inclusion of this service will allow MK Piling to offer a more complete service and offers peace of mind to the client.
MK Piling (North West) – Ground Source Heat
MK Piling (North West) are currently conducting trials in conjunction with Groundtherm and Hecol at our premises in Oldham.
Installed is a 5kW Ground source pump which can provide heating up to 35/40 degrees and a maximum cooling of 8 degrees. The case study involved installing driven steel cased cast in situ piles, which transfer the energy from the ground to the heating/cooling fan coils located in our offices.
The efficiency can not be confirmed until the case study progresses further, however early indications are exceeding expectations.
This technology is at the forefront of renewable energy and can be incorporated in any new/build or extension where piling is required.
Niyod Construction Nigeria – Ibom Tropicana Site
Niyod Construction Nigeria, have increased their fleet of Piling rigs which now includes 5 Banut rigs.
2 of which are working on the project at Makako while the other 3 rigs are working on a newly secured contract for AKWA Ibom State Government/Silverbird Group which involves piling for the Ibom Tropicana Resort Complex.
The piling works for a new Shopping Mall, Cineplex and Hotel are being overseen by Aim Consultants consists of approximately 2,000 350mm x 350mm pre-cast concrete piles, driven to depth of approximately 22 metres.
Niyod Construction Nigeria (Lagos)
Niyod Construction have completed piling works on the contract at Makako, Yaba, Lagos, which was overseen by the Lagos Division of Ove Arrup.
Niyod, successfully installed 1,500 No. 350mm x 350mm pre-cast concrete piles driven to depths of 33 metres, on time and within budget.
As a result Niyod have secured another contract on the same project for an additional 255 piles, to be commenced shortly.
Complex Anchor Pile Project Completed
MK Piling (North West) Ltd has just successfully completed an unusual and complex Anchor Pile Project in East Sussex.
For further information on Ground Anchors – Soil Nailing services from MK Piling (North West)
Please Contact
David Hayes on 07796991195
