Removing existing timber piles
Removing existing timber piles
(OP)
Let's say you have a job in which an existing building is being demolished to rebuild a new structure on the same footprint. However, there are existing timber piles placed in fairly uniform grid across the entire existing footprint.
Is there a good way to remove the piles and fill the holes to make the site suitable for new construction?
Is there a good way to remove the piles and fill the holes to make the site suitable for new construction?






RE: Removing existing timber piles
Used it for deep compaction of granular fill/dredge spoils for a large project in the Bahamas and for smaller projects in other locations.
RE: Removing existing timber piles
BA
RE: Removing existing timber piles
RE: Removing existing timber piles
Years ago we were installing a foundation for a new three story structure and ran across an old 18" clear grain timber pile inside one of our pilecap locations. It was still as good as the day it was driven and did not budge one iota when tested with the piledriver. We reconfigured the design locally and used the pile. No reason not to.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Removing existing timber piles
We abandoned the existing piles and cut them off below the new cap elevations. In some instances, this cause some problems with placement of new piles where existing piles were in the way. In these cases, we had to quickly come up with a suitable location for the new pile as a pile driver was waiting for the information.
RE: Removing existing timber piles
RE: Removing existing timber piles
We got them out with a crane and an excavator with a hydraulic hammer. The excavator hit the top of the pile (roughly vertically), while the crane heaved upwards. Took a long time, but we got there in the end.
If I recall correctly, the piles were about 50 years old, and still in excellent condition (other than the tops :)).
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Removing existing timber piles
RE: Removing existing timber piles
Why couldn't you excavate down to the point a chain saw could be used to lop away the piling?
Two feet is the typical cutoff below grade, but that's more of a rule of thumb.
If you consider the soil to distribute along a 60° angle, the 'spread' at the surface would be equal to the depth. So ... 2ft below the surface for a 12in pile would give (2+1)²/4·pi area (~7ft²). 3ft depth, 4pi (~12.5ft²) area.
This would serve to reduce any "point support" issues caused by leaving the prior piles in place.
Backfilling any trenches or voids would be the same any other subsurface void -- compaction to meet your code standards after suitable soil or gravel backfill has been placed.
Good luck on your project.