########### Pile Driving Guidelines

> Engineers should familiarize themselves with the plans and
> specification details dealing with piling in the contract. Initially
> acquire the approved \"Welding Procedures\" (State approval form) for
> all welds proposed for the shoes and splices and the \"Pile Driving
> Equipment\" (State Form) sheets from the field office. Copies should
> be made and used for cross-referencing when field verifying these
> details. List the estimated pile length, bearing capacity, driving
> criteria and any field verification comments.
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> Field pile driving details will be recorded on state forms XX & XY.
> Being \"source documents\", these forms shall be provided to the field
> office on a daily basis. Check this detail. Per the forms, recordation
> is accomplished based on blows-per-centimeter. This should be field
> verified during the inspection (i.e. pile markings). Check the forms
> for completeness and note whether final lengths are exceeding the Plan
> estimated length. If splices are required, the soil borings should be
> reviewed to obtain an understanding of the possible causes.
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##################### Equipment

> Contractors shall obtain approval for pile driving equipment. Verify
> that the type, striking energy per blow, rated speed and serial number
> are listed on the approved state form, \"Pile Driving Equipment\"
> sheet. Note: the usual striking energy per blow is 17.6 Kilo-Joules
> (13, 000 foot-pounds) for both Cast-in-Place pile casings and Steel
> Bearing piles.
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> Hammers shall have continuous compressor capacity to assure that the
> rated conditions are achieved (single acting: length-of-stroke or
> blows-per-minute; double acting: bounce chamber pressure). All diesel
> hammers shall have an acceptable means for measuring hammer energy
> pressure. When pressure gauges are included, manufacturers charts and
> graphs, showing calibration to energy, shall be furnished to the
> engineer. Check hammer operation and these details.
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##################### Materials

> Steel bearing piles shall be rolled \"HP\" sections of standard
> dimensions. They shall be new and un-used and conform to ASTM A36M
> materials standards. Cast-in-Place pile casings shall conform with
> A252-Grade 2 requirements, unless otherwise specified. Review the
> manufacturer\'s certification for this conformity along with domestic
> origin (Buy America provision). Heat numbers should also be listed for
> each acceptable lot (this number indicates the steel meets Charpy
> V-notch requirements).
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> Cast-in-Place pile casings can be either pipe or shell having
> dimensions no less than 200 mm (8 inches) outside diameter at the toe
> and 300 mm (12 inches) OD at the cutoff. Wall thicknesses shall be no
> less than 4.76 mm (3/16 inch) for pipe casings and 2.67 mm (1/8 inch)
> for shell casings. If driven with a mandrel, shell casings may be
> thinner. Review the project plans for typical section, thickness and
> rate-of-taper. Evaluate stockpiles for these details along with \"lack
> of damage\" from storage and handling (Per State Construction Manual,
> any damaged piling will be rejected).
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##################### Construction Details

> Steel Bearing Piles shall be furnished with a driving shoe, as
> detailed on the plans or approved by the State. Shoes shall be
> attached by a state DOT certified welder with a minimum 8mm (3/8 inch)
> fillet weld along the outside edge of the flanges, or welded in
> accordance with the plan details. Cast-in-Place pile ends shall be
> perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. They will be furnished with a
> 18 mm (3/4 inch) minimum thickness round plate at the end, having a
> diameter no more than 15 mm larger than the casing. NOTE: If welding
> is not detailed on the plans, then an approved \"welding procedure\"
> is required. (Spec ref.)
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> Piles shall not be driven until the excavation has been made to the
> bottom of footer elevation or tremie per Spec ref. They shall be
> driven starting from the center of the foundation outwards or starting
> from an outside row and progressing across the foundation. Piles may
> be completely driven in one operation or, if directed by the state, be
> allowed to set for 2 to 24 hours (or as indicated on the plans) before
> driving is resumed. Evaluate the procedure being followed for this
> project.
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> Piles are either plumb (truly vertical) or battered per the plans.
> Batter is normally measured with a template in the field. Observe and
> record the method being followed. The pile shall not vary from the
> planned location by more than 100 mm (4 inches). For abutments, this
> tolerance is 25 mm (1 inch). Also, piles may not have more than a 20
> mm per meter (1/4 inch per foot) variation at their tip from the
> vertical or batter. Check these details. (Spec ref.)
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> Splices are a contingent item that is required when the engineer
> directs the contractor to drive a pile more than 1.5 meters (5 feet)
> beyond the estimated plan length. All splices are subject to the
> approval of the DCES. For steel bearing piles, a second splice may
> used at 8 meters (25 feet) beyond the estimated length subject to
> approval by the State. Welding will be performed by a State DOT
> certified welder following an approved Welding Procedure (state form).
> For Cast-in-Place concrete piles, the state may approve mechanical
> splices. These splices shall meet the requirements for structural
> steel (ASTM A36M minimum) and have a seal weld around the entire pile
> casing. Spec refs. & State Steel Construction Manual).
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> Pile cutoffs shall be made to the elevation shown on the plans or as
> established by the EIC. All cavities created by the pile driving shall
> be backfilled. Any pile sections remaining above ground shall be
> painted in accordance with the plans. Cast-in-Place pile casings shall
> be dry before concrete is placed. They shall be filled with a
> continuous pour of Class A Concrete with a slump that shall not exceed
> 125 mm (5 inches). Care shall be taken to prevent voids by internal
> vibration or other means to the maximum depth practicable, to
> consolidate the concrete. (Spec ref.)
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##################### Testing and Rejection Details

> Where specified on the plans, the contractor shall provide pile
> driving equipment, an electrical power source and a suitable test
> enclosure for pile field testing and pile hammer efficiency
> evaluation. The contractor will perform all incidental work to make
> the site accessible. Testing will be performed by State DOT forces and
> assistance provided by contractor\'s crews. If a pile requires
> re-driving within 28 hours after the initial test, this shall be
> considered as one test. Tests results should be reviewed during the
> field visit. (Spec ref.)
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> Defective piles are categorized by the following deficiencies:
> Location or batter incorrect, pile damaged, piles fails to achieve
> resistance, tip elevation not within tolerances, EIC determines pile
> is unserviceable and the Cast-in-Place pile casing is not free of
> water. The contractor shall remove rejected piles or, at the option of
> the Engineer, a second pile can be driven adjacent thereto. (Spec
> ref.)
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##################### Measurement and Payment

> Furnishing Equipment for Driving Piles is a lump sum item for which
> 75% of the amount will be paid once pile driving has commenced. The
> remainder will be paid when the work of driving piles is completed.
> This payment should correlate to the date of the first pile driving
> record. Confirm. (Spec ref.)
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> Pile quantity paid will be the number of meters of driven, acceptable
> piles measured below cutoff elevation. Pile shoes are included in the
> unit price. However, partial payment can be made for the invoice cost
> of the shoes in accordance with Section 109-04. For the piling,
> progress payment can be made for 80% of the quantity properly
> installed. The balance will be paid once cutoffs, concrete placement
> and painting are completed. Daily driving records should be reviewed
> and correlated to monthly progress payment. (Spec ref.)
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> Dynamic pile tests are paid on an \"each\" basis. If re-driving is
> required after 28 hours, then payment will be made for an additional
> test. Splices are also paid on an \"each\" basis. Check daily driving
> records accordingly.
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