What Is the Giken Supercrush? A Complete Guide

The Giken Supercrush is an advanced piling solution developed to enable the silent installation of steel sheet piles through extremely hard ground conditions. It combines Giken’s signature silent press-in technology with a powerful rotary cutting mechanism to penetrate materials that traditional press-in rigs cannot manage on their own.

This system is particularly useful in urban or environmentally sensitive locations where both noise and vibration must be kept to a minimum, but where standard silent piling rigs would typically stall due to ground resistance.

As a piling contractor familiar with silent and vibrationless methods, we often encounter projects where this technology could play a critical role. This guide explains what the Giken Supercrush is, how it works, and when it should be considered.

How Does the Giken Supercrush Work?
Key Advantages of the Supercrush System
Typical Applications
Is the Giken Supercrush Right for Your Project?
FAQs
Further Reading & Technical References

How Does the Giken Supercrush Work?

The Giken Supercrush system operates by integrating press-in piling with simultaneous rotary augering. Unlike traditional methods that rely on vibration or percussive force, this system uses static reaction and drilling to achieve penetration through high-resistance ground.

The full Supercrush system includes:

1. Press-in Unit

This hydraulic rig installs sheet piles using a static force generated from previously installed piles. The reaction-based system ensures minimal environmental disturbance, making it suitable for sensitive areas such as hospital zones, residential streets, or historic structures.

2. Casing Rotator (CR Unit)

The CR unit is mounted directly beneath the press-in rig. It features a rotary cutting head that drills into hard soil, gravel, boulders, or old concrete obstructions. The augered spoil is removed as the cutting head advances, preparing the ground for sheet pile installation.

3. Simultaneous Installation

The sheet pile is pressed in concurrently with the rotary cutting operation. This dual-action method dramatically reduces friction and ground resistance, allowing successful pile installation where standard press-in rigs would otherwise be ineffective.

This approach not only maintains the silent and vibration-free nature of press-in systems but expands their usability to more demanding sites.

Key Advantages of the Supercrush System

Silent and Vibrationless

By maintaining the non-disruptive nature of press-in piling, the Supercrush allows works to proceed in locations where vibration or percussive impact is not permitted. This includes areas near transport infrastructure, utility corridors, or sensitive buildings.

Penetration of Hard Soils and Obstructions

Conventional silent press-in systems are limited when they encounter gravels, cobbles, or man-made obstructions. The Supercrush overcomes this limitation with its rotary drilling function, allowing sheet piles to be installed in ground conditions that would normally require driven methods.

Reduced Environmental Impact

With no need for vibratory hammers, impact drivers, or large cranes, the Supercrush system reduces airborne noise, ground vibration, and overall site footprint. This makes it ideal for confined or logistically challenging sites.

High Positional Accuracy

The system offers excellent control over verticality and alignment. This is particularly valuable in projects with structural or visual finish requirements such as retaining walls or waterfront applications.

Typical Applications

The Giken Supercrush is best suited to infrastructure and urban civil engineering projects where traditional vibration-based methods would be unfeasible due to environmental or regulatory constraints.

Common Applications:

Installation of flood defence walls along rivers or tidal zones
Piling adjacent to railway lines or under live overhead power
Urban basement construction and retaining walls
Marine piling in ports, harbours, and dock facilities
Sites with underground obstructions, old foundations, or buried utilities

In short, the Supercrush extends the usable range of silent piling to include far more challenging geotechnical conditions.

Is the Giken Supercrush Right for Your Project?

Determining whether the Supercrush system is appropriate depends on a combination of environmental constraints, soil conditions, and structural requirements.

For example, in a location requiring low-noise, low-vibration installation with known ground obstructions or dense strata, the Supercrush is likely to be the most effective and permissible method.

While Steel Piling Solutions does not operate a Giken Supercrush rig directly, we frequently collaborate with engineering partners and specialist contractors who do. Where silent methods are preferred but standard rigs won’t suffice, we can advise on Supercrush suitability and help integrate it into your temporary works or enabling works programme.

To explore your options, visit our Silent Piling pag e or speak to our team.

FAQs

What is the difference between Giken Supercrush and a standard Silent Piler.

Standard press-in rigs rely solely on reaction force and are limited by ground resistance. The Supercrush integrates a rotary auger, enabling installation through very hard or obstructed ground.

Is the Supercrush system suitable for marine environments?

Yes. It is often used in ports and harbours due to its low noise and vibration output, making it ideal for environmentally sensitive marine works.

Can Supercrush be used near live rail or utilities?

Absolutely. Its low-impact, non-vibratory method makes it one of the safest choices for works adjacent to operational infrastructure.

How does the Supercrush affect programme duration?

In many cases, it reduces delays associated with difficult ground. Although setup may be more specialised, the ability to continue working through hard strata can improve overall efficiency.