Timber Pile Extraction

[peek]

Hello:

I have a project (in NYC area)where existing timber piles (40 ft long) need to be removed to facilitate installation of new piles. If anyone can share his/her experience on such pile extraction (for projects, especially in NYC area) would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ingy]

Depends on the condition of the timber piles. If they have any structural integrity left we typically clamp on with our vibro hammer and pull them out.

Do the piles need to be completely removed? If they only need to be removed to mudline then we use a clamshell and "bite" them off just below mudline. You can try to pull them out this way as well.

I've found that if either of those methods don't work then the pile is usually degraded to the point that we can just drive through it. I guess I'm assuming that you need them removed in order to drive new piles...

 

[SlideRuleEra]

As Ingy says, a vibratory hammer is probably most readily available equipment to do the job. However, in the old days, steam (compressed air) impact pile extractors were used and are still around today. They were essentially "upside-down" pile hammers. Here is a photo and brief descripion of one type that I have seen in use

http://www.vulcanhammer.net/on/steam-hammers.php

See the photo about half way down, on the right.

One trick that often works if a pile will not come "up" - drive in "down" to break the skin friction. This should be easy to do with a timber pile since you can probably "broom" the point without to much difficulty. Once it moves (even down) you should be able to extract it.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net