Re-Use of Wood Piles
Re-Use of Wood Piles
(OP)
I'm doing some work at a Wastewater Treatment Plant. The portion of the structure I need to replace is supported by 50 year old wood piles. Groundwater seems be either at the top of the wood piles or a few feet below. Questions:
[ol 1.]
[/ol]Is there any chance the piles can be reused?
[ol 2.]
[/ol]If yes, how should I have them tested? I looked at the Davisson Method, mostly because he was my professor, but is that the best for testing in place piles?
[ol 3.]
[/ol]Due to all of the uncertainties involved, I'd probably have them bid new piles and have a deduct if they the existing piles test adequately. Is that dangerous? Am I giving the contractor too much room to play games?
[ol 1.]
[/ol]Is there any chance the piles can be reused?
[ol 2.]
[/ol]If yes, how should I have them tested? I looked at the Davisson Method, mostly because he was my professor, but is that the best for testing in place piles?
[ol 3.]
[/ol]Due to all of the uncertainties involved, I'd probably have them bid new piles and have a deduct if they the existing piles test adequately. Is that dangerous? Am I giving the contractor too much room to play games?





RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles
If the existing piles are spaced far enough apart, perhaps they can be abandoned in place. Replacements driven between the existing piles.
You could do load tests, but the cost could easily exceed the value of replacements. Another possibility would be to have a pile hammer strike a few blows on each existing pile (if they are accessible). Again, the cost issue comes into play. I would write them off.
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RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles
Nevertheless, the wood pile did not budge, but the short 8" Pipe pile test section did at the head of the pile. Classic wavy failure mode that I had the contractor cut off the hard of the pile. I still have it today...
Needless to say, that pile was better than those we were intsalling...
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles
Thanks for the information.
RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles
RE: Re-Use of Wood Piles