Sheet Piles Piling

Following the first post of How to install sheet piles, this is the continuation of the fist post on the same subject of sheet piles installation.

Sheet piles can also be installed or driven by drop hammer. The drop hammer can be single acting or double acting ones. They are powered by disel, compressed air, steam or hydraulic. The hammers usually operate with a false leader or piling frame. An example of which is shown in the video below.

In the video, you can see that the person is first checking on the alignment and verticality  of the sheet pile before giving the go ahead. Do note that in the second part of the installation, the installation process produces vibration which cause some crest of sand to flow down ( on the middle right of the video).

And between double acting hammers and single acting hammers, double acting are generally preferred for speed and efficiency, and this type performs well in most types of ground conditions but specifically in sandy and gravelly soils.

But single acting hammers are preferred when heavy driving is required. The heavier weight and slower velocity of the single-acting hammer can transmit a higher energy into driving the piles.

When sheet piles are driven by drop hammers, it is important to protect the heads of sheet piles during installation.