Conventional Piling Solutions The cost-effective solution for pile penetration into difficult ground

Conventional sheet piling installs sheet piles in groups using a temporary piling gate. A crawler crane positions the piles in the gate, which guides and supports the panel during installation. Vibratory and impact hammers are then used as required to drive the piles to depth. The method is particularly useful where ground conditions are challenging and accurate alignment is important.

The gate uses horizontal guides, supported on trestles, to hold the sheet pile panel in position during pitching and driving. These guides, together with previously installed piles, help control the wall’s line and verticality. The gate arrangement and installation sequence are planned around the pile specification and the project’s required tolerances.

A vibratory hammer can install the sheet pile panel efficiently where the ground allows. An impact hammer can then complete penetration to the required depth or level where additional driving force is needed. The choice of hammer and the sequence depend on the ground conditions, pile profile and site restrictions, rather than every panel following an identical driving procedure.

Yes. Conventional piling can accommodate long piles and high-modulus sections, which provide greater resistance to bending. The crane, piling gate and hammer must be selected for the pile dimensions and weight. Available headroom, lifting arrangements and ground conditions also need to be assessed before confirming the equipment and installation plan.

Conventional piling can allow installation from a position away from the pile line where a working platform cannot be formed along it. A suitable crawler crane handles the piles and suspended equipment from an accessible location. Crane reach and capacity, ground support, pile handling and the gate arrangement all need to be checked for the proposed setup.

The noise and vibration depend on the installation equipment used. Vibratory and impact hammers both generate noise and vibration, which must be considered alongside nearby structures and any project limits. Where those limits make hammer-driven installation unsuitable, Ivor King can assess alternative methods such as hydraulic press-in piling, subject to the ground conditions and pile design.