Pile Shoes Needed?
Pile Shoes Needed?
(OP)
I'm a recent college graduate and newborn in the field of Structural Engineering who has been assigned to look over some specs that are waiting for construction and I noticed in the notes that they want "pile points" or "shoes" provided on the end of each pile prior to the start of pile driving operations. After researching the subject, I found that these are primarily utilized when driving through hard strata and bedrock. I did notice that in some areas, they are removing pre-existing 14"square conc. piles 5ft. below the G.S. and needling HP 14 x 73 piles in between them. Could this be the primary reason for the "shoes/tips"? Do they think that they could possibly hit or run into the cut and abandoned piles? The project is in South Louisiana and in trying to use my better judgment on this one, but I don't see why these additional services are needed. I checked over the boring logs and the layers are comparable to other boring logs I've seen on similar jobs in the area, and they don't seem to require these additional task. Can anyone explain to me why he or she is requiring the "tips"? I can't see a Cyprus stump being the issue and that's probably the hardest thing that could possible be down there.





RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
Have not driven any piles in S. LA., but close to it, and I am with civilperson on this one.
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?
DRC1 & everyone in agreeance, I think that's exactly what's going on. As I completely read the specs they also have comments in the spec that specify to not drive piles when the ground is frozen. Now we all know that certain sub-mantle and core layers of the earth will freeze over about the same time South Lousiana soil freezes solid. I spoke to one of the ITR reviewers at the office and he told me, its a no harm no foul type issue, but I then told him when driving 273 piles that could be quite a cost to tip or shoe each and every pile before driving. Thanks everyone for your comments and input as they were all helpful.
RE: Pile Shoes Needed?