DRIVING PILES THROUGH AN EARTHFILL?

[ANSIF]

I wonder if somebody has experience in driving concrete piles through an earthfill structure formed by particles between 2 and 10”. The piles would support a wharf and the earthfill structure would support the filler in the back of the wharf. The eartfill structure would have a thickness from 15 to 18 m.

Thank you for your comments.

 

[Qshake]

When driving pile in anticipated granular material, especially with the size noted, it is common to use a soil plug. A soil plug is a localized fill constructed within the rocky embankment that will allow for pile driving without damage or position problems which may result otherwise. The soil plug usually has a minimum dimension of 5' greater than the pile on either side and slopes 1:6 (H:V) to minimize overall dimensions near the top.

 

[ANSIF]

Dear Qshake, I thank your comments and I apologize for the delay in my answer because I was outside of the city. I would rely appreciate if you explains to me with more detail the constructive process to develop what you call “soil plug”. I just I want to manifest that the dike conforms depositing or delivering stones in the sea until we get the wanted shape.

Thanks again

 

[Qshake]

Upon re-reading your original post, I am wondering if it is applicable too. Could you please explain in more detail what you are accomplishing? Thanks.

What I am talking about really has application on land, however if one were to think of using sand as an earthfill surrounded by well-graded large rock to minimize the loss of sand it might be possible to build a berm of sand to a certain height, place the large rock around it, then place more sand in the middle followed by more large rock around it and so on until it met the grade requirements.

 

[ayfarm]

Concrete piles driven thru quarry rock, riprap size or cobbles may not sustain the impact and therefor would crack, break or refuse before tip elev. is reached. In other words u have installation probs. The moment demand is also greater at this location and ps/pc piles are prone to cracking especially in high seismic areas. I would suggest using steel pile either HP or cip cans, batterred or plumb.

 

[ANSIF]

Dear ayfarm, I thank your comments.