3.1. Factors Governing Hammer Selection

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the purpose of cushioning material when driving piles?

   Hint

   Think about what happens when two hard surfaces collide.

2. 2.

   Why is it important to choose a heavy hammer when driving piles?

   Hint

   Reflect on how weight influences impact force.

3. 3.

   What is the main reason for using cushioning material while driving piles?

   • To reduce noise
   • To modify soil resistance
   • To protect the pile from impact

   Hint

   Think about why one would want to protect something fragile.

4. 4.

   True or False: Heavier hammers with higher drop heights always produce better driving efficiency.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider which condition might result in broken piles.

5. 5.

   A hammer weighs 60 pounds and falls from a height of 8 feet. Calculate the blow energy produced during driving. What are the implications of this energy level for safety and efficiency?

   Hint

   Ensure to double-check the formula for energy conversion.

6. 6.

   Given a pile with a safe load determined to be 150 pounds, how much weight must a hammer have if the average penetration per blow is 4 inches and the height of fall is 10 feet? Use the Engineering News formula to find the solution.

   Hint

   Be careful with unit conversions and simplifying.