The ductile iron piling system is a fast and effective method of forming high capacity driven tube piles with low displacement and vibration, and producing no spoil. The system uses a high frequency hydraulic hammer on a hydraulic excavator to drive the pile into the ground. A driving shoe replaces the normal hammer point, and fits into the socket head of the ductile pile.

 

Piles are fitted with a bottom cap plate and can be driven either to a set or length, with pile capacities of up to 600kN being possible where the piles are driven onto a rock stratum. The pile lengths are 5m long, piles being simply extended by locating the spigot end of the new length into the socket end already driven.

 

When complete, the pile is then cut to length using a standard steel saw, the remaining socket and tube being used to start the next pile position. The pile is then filled with concrete, then capped with a top plate and locating rebar, and incorporated into the foundation. Where very weak ground exists in the upper layers or skin friction is required on the pile shaft, ductile piles can be grouted during driving to give a concrete-encased pile of larger diameter.

 

Because of the flexibility of the excavator, piles can be driven vertically or at any rake, and at some distance from the excavator tracks- particularly useful over water or in restricted or railway conditions. With a low headroom machine these piles can be driven in sections under 2.5m, or as in a recent case under a 4m railway bridge between track possessions (see Lawrence hill ductile case history).

 

CAPABILITIES

 

Diameters 118mm, 170mm. Pile lengths 5.0m spigot and socket jointed.

 

Capacity- 100-600kN

 

Ease of connection between lengths, and final cutting to length once driven

 

Low vibration means driving close to existing property.

 

Capable of being driven plain or grout-encased.

 

APPLICATIONS

 

Retail re-development on live schemes– the small plant needed helps customer safety

 

Piling in contaminated ground- no spoil created, and high durability of pile shaft.

 

New-build piling for residential or commercial/retail

 

Piling to existing buildings and structures

 

Restricted access projects with short programme times available-i.e. railway schemes