What Is Conventional Piling?
The Lost Art of Conventional Piling Methods
In the ever-evolving world of construction, where groundbreaking technologies and innovative methods grab headlines, there’s a classic technique that often gets overlooked – conventional piling. Sometimes referred to as impact piling, it’s a construction method that has stood the test of time, even in our era of silent piling and sophisticated piling rigs. In this article, we’ll explore what conventional piling is and why it remains relevant and effective, catering to both construction professionals and beginners.
Understanding Conventional Piling
For the newcomers to construction, let’s start with the basics. Conventional piling is a method used to create sturdy foundations for buildings, bridges, and various structures. It involves driving piles (long, slender sheet metal) deep into the ground to support the weight of the structure. What sets conventional piling apart is the use of impact or vibration hammers – large weights – to drive the piles into the earth.
In the ever-evolving world of construction, where groundbreaking technologies and innovative methods grab headlines, there’s a classic technique that often gets overlooked – conventional piling. Sometimes referred to as impact piling, it’s a construction method that has stood the test of time, even in our era of silent piling and sophisticated piling rigs. In this article, we’ll explore what conventional piling is and why it remains relevant and effective, catering to both construction professionals and beginners.
The Lost Art
In the early days of construction, conventional piling was the go-to method for creating solid foundations. However, the advent of newer techniques, like silent piling and hydraulic piling rigs, has somewhat overshadowed this tried-and-true approach. Consequently, conventional piling has become something of a “lost art.”
So, how does pile driving conventionally look?
- Steel piles are positioned within a temporary works setup, featuring piling gate beams supported by trestles or spud piles to guide and secure them during installation.
- The process commences with the use of a crawler crane to hoist the piles into the temporary piling gate.
- Once in place, a hydraulic vibratory hammer is employed to install the piles in sections, ensuring precise positioning and alignment.
- The final step involves driving the piles into their intended location using a hydraulic impact hammer(https://www.eiffeltrading.com/blog/post/4-types-of-pile-driving-hammers) or vibro hammer (https://steelpilingsolutions.com/what-is-a-vibro-hamer/) selected based on ground conditions
- This method, tried and tested over decades, remains a popular choice for various construction projects due to its effectiveness and reliability.
The next time you encounter these temporary piling gates on a construction site, you’ll have a clear understanding of the process at hand.
Where is conventional piling still used?
To illustrate the renewed interest in conventional piling, let’s look at an example where conventional piling may be useful. In an area where roads are narrow or access for a piling rig is limited, a crane can lift beams, trussells and gates into a site to be used for piling.
Historical Sites: In sensitive areas where preserving the historical or architectural integrity is crucial, conventional piling can offer a gentle and precise way to establish foundations without causing vibrations or disturbances.
Wharf and Jetty Construction: When building wharves, jetties, and other marine structures, conventional piling provides a robust foundation that can withstand the challenges posed by water bodies.
Retaining Walls: Building retaining walls to prevent soil erosion and provide structural support often involves the use of conventional piling, especially in areas with challenging terrain.
The Decline of Conventional Piling
Conventional piling, once a dominant method in foundation construction, has experienced a decline for several reasons:
Conventional pile driving involves the use of large impact hammers that generate significant noise and vibrations. As construction sites increasingly encroach upon residential and urban areas, noise pollution and environmental concerns have led to stricter regulations. This has prompted the construction industry to seek quieter alternatives.
Many construction projects occur in densely populated urban areas with limited space. Conventional piling rigs are often large and require a considerable footprint. This makes them impractical or challenging to use in tight spaces. Vibro and silent piling methods, which are more compact, have gained popularity in such settings. Especially as areas become more crowded, conventional piling becomes more of a challenge.
Conventional piling can be a time-consuming process. The need to hoist heavy piles into position and the impact hammer’s slower driving rate can extend project timelines. Contractors have turned to vibro and silent piling, which offer faster installation and extraction speeds, reducing construction schedules.
Technology has driven innovation in the construction industry. Vibro and silent piling techniques have advanced significantly, making them more reliable and capable of handling a broader range of projects. These advancements have made them increasingly attractive to construction professionals.
To conclude, understanding the basics of conventional piling can be a stepping stone into the world of steel sheet piling. Conventional piling is a time-tested technique that still has its place in the modern construction toolbox. In a field where innovation is essential, conventional piling offers a balance between tradition and progress, providing valuable options for all levels of expertise in construction.