6.1. Types of Pile Hammers and Selection Criteria

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a cushioning material?

   Hint

   Think of something that absorbs impact.

2. 2.

   What is the minimum thickness of a wood cushion?

   Hint

   Recall the number mentioned in the lectures.

3. 3.

   What is driving stress?

   • Stress during service life
   • Stress experienced while driving
   • Stress not relevant to design

   Hint

   Consider when stress is at its peak.

4. 4.

   True or False: Heavier hammer weight with a longer fall height increases blow efficiency.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Reflect on what happens to driving stress.

5. 5.

   A project requires driving a 500 lb concrete pile into a soft clay soil. The only available hammer weighs 400 lb and has a fall height of 8 ft. Calculate the blow energy and discuss if this setup will work effectively.

   Hint

   Remember to check the relationship between hammer weight and pile weight.

6. 6.

   Design an appropriate cushioning setup for a concrete pile with a driving stress of 185 psi. Given that timber cushions are hot, what thickness would be advisable based on typical guidelines?

   Hint

   Refer back to the minimum requirements mentioned in earlier discussions.