Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

Noise and Vibration Monitoring for Silent Piling in Singapore
Chun Fai LEUNG
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore
Email: ceelcf@nus.edu.sg

Teik Lim GOH
Director, Atsunew Giken Pte. Ltd., Singapore
Email: goh@atsunewgiken.com

ABSTRACT
Conventional dynamic pile driving has been commonly used to install sheet piles and foundation piles but this techniquetends to generate excessive noise and ground vibration to the surroundings during piling. This research study aims toevaluate the noise and vibration arising from the use of different silent piling rigs in various soil conditions in Singapore.
At one site, noise and vibration measurements were also made with vibro hammer to facilitate comparison of noise andvibration levels between silent piling and vibro piling at the same site. In addition, the measured values will be evaluatedagainst the desired noise and vibration limits set by the Singapore authorities. The results of noise and vibration against
distance will also be compared with those proposed predicted values using an existing method.
Key words: Silent Piler, Vibratory, Percussion Hammer, Noise, Vibration

1. Introduction
Silent piling has been employed to install sheet piles in

2. Press-in piling method
The Press-in Piling Method is a non-dynamic piling

soft to medium stiff soils in Singapore for many years, see

method for installing continuous pre-formed piles. The

for example Goh et al. (2004a, 2004b, 2004c, 2007).

technique uses hydraulic rams to push piles into the

Recently, the more powerful Super Crush Piler has been

ground. This novel installation method has been presented

successfully used to install sheet piles in stiff and hard

as a ‘silent’ or ‘vibration-free’ piling method.

soils in Singapore. Although silent piling is known to

The present study focuses on the press-in method

cause less noise and vibration levels as compared toderived from the reaction principle. The size of press-in

conventional dynamic piling methods, there are relatively

machine has to be massive if the reaction force is obtained

few reported case studies on comparing the noise andsolely from the machine weight. To develop a relatively

vibration levels due to silent piling versus conventional

small and compact lightweight machine which has thepiling technique at the same site.

sufficient penetration force, shaft friction of previouslyWith a research grant from the International Press-in

installed piles is used, see Fig. 1.

Association (IPA), a research study was embarked toIn 1967, Mr Akio Kitamura founded Giken

evaluate the noise and vibration levels arising from the use

Seisakusho in Kochi, Japan to develop this idea. In 1975,of different piling rigs at several sites in Singapore. The

the first press-in piling machine based on the reaction

present study focuses on the installation of sheet pile walls

principle was produced. This press-in piling machineas the silent piling technique has been specified as thederives from a simple arrangement; gripping the previous

preferred method under certain scenarios by the Singapore

installed piles to press-in subsequent piles. With such adevelopers and authorities. The results of the study aresimple systematic arrangement, the press-in pilingpresented in detail in this paper.

machine can self-walk along the pile top. The press-in- 579 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

piling machines which are available in the construction
site are better known as the ‘Silent Piler’, see Fig. 2.

The execution of press-in work was initially very
difficult because of the flimsiness of sheet piles at great
depth. Furthermore, the formation of “pile plug” and“pressure bulb” has greatly affected the efficiency of the
sheet piling works. These adverse factors have created asection greater than the pile itself and the penetration
resistance increases during the press-in piling operation.
The water jet system, which is supposed to lubricate thesheet pile and float the soil particles, has failed to perform
its function effectively in such soil condition.
To tackle the limitation, the Super Crush System(SCU400M) has been developed. The Super Crush Piler
was subsequently mobilized to assist the sheet pilingworks at Penang High Court. The fundamental difference
using the Super Crush Piler is that this press-in machine
has an integrated auguring tool (Fig. 3). This auguring toolis placed inside a steel casing attached to the press-in
machine. Sheet pile which is abutted to the steel casing is

Fig. 1 Press-in piling based on reaction principle

rigid and this prevents the bending and twisting of sheet
pile. This would ensure the sheet pile toe from deviatingfrom the completion line.

Fig. 2 Press-in piling machine, known as “Silent Piler”
Fig. 3

Sheet piles installed by Super Crush System

Each machine has a built-in load meter, accurately
measuring the resistance as it pushes the pile. Hence, all

A case example for the use of silent piling inpressed-in piles are proof-tested as the penetration

Singapore is presented as follows. The New Pandan

resistance of each pile can be monitored directly during

Pumping Station and Pipelines Upgrading Works injacking. Guides are not necessary as the machine firmly

Singapore have been initiated by the Public Utilities Board

grasps the installed piles and with visual assistance of a

(PUB) as part of the Singapore Government Master Plan

pile laser.

to increase the capacity of water storage in existing
reservoirs (Fig. 4). The upgrading works involve- 580 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

constructing a new pumping station next to the existing

to install over 1000 nos. of 18m sheet piles (Type FSP-

Pandan Pumping Station and laying a new pipe parallel toIIIA) using the GRB Non-Staging Press-in Piling System.

the existing one. The water from Sungei Pandan River will

Two Silent Pilers (ECO100-4C and SA150), two Clamp

be pumped at intervals into Pandan Reservoir using a 1.4m

Cranes (CB1A and CB1-7) and one pile transporter (TB3)

diameter pipeline which channeled through the reservoir

have been employed (Figs. 5 & 6).

dyke using the discharge outlet pipe.

Based on the soil investigation report, soft clay isfound for the first 12m below the water level. At greater
depth of 15m, the soil becomes stiffer with standard
penetration resistance SPT N value ranging from 30 to 50.
The deepest water level is about 6m, which is locatedtowards the centre of the reservoir. The penetration of
sheet piles is assisted by the water jetting system. Average
productivity is about 8-12 pieces per day with one verticaljoint. The project was completed in 3 months in 2006.

JobsiteCofferdam
PandanReservoir

Sg. Pandan River

Fig. 5Giken Reaction Base (GRB) machineries

Fig. 6

Non-staging press-in piling (GRB System)

New Pumping Station

Fig. 4 Pumping station and discharge point

In this project, GIKEN Seisakusho Asia has been
appointed as the specialist sub-contractor by a local main
contractor (Koon Construction & Transport Co. Pte. Ltd.)- 581 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

3. Noise and vibration limits in Singapore
In the early days, Singapore adopted the British

sensitive buildings such as hospitals in order not to cause

Standard (BS5228, 1974) as the noise and vibrationencourage quieter construction, NEA (2017) recently

control for piling operation. Subsequently it issued its own

updated its guidelines for quieter construction andregulations on noise and vibration limits. In 2007, theprovided financial support to encourage contractors to

National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore issued

reduce their noise and vibrations during construction using

guidelines on the maximum permissible construction

appropriate construction equipment and techniques.

discomfort and probable damage to structures. To

noise levels in Singapore. Table 1 shows the desired
limiting values for various types of buildings at different
times from Mondays to Saturdays. As expected, sensitive

4. Noise and Vibration Measurement Equipment
To support the present research, a Singapore

buildings such as hospitals and schools have the mostcompany, Absolute Instrument Systems (Pte.) Ltd., has

stringent limits followed by residential buildings. The

kindly loaned out their noise and vibration measurement

Sunday limiting values are similar except with more

devices and provided training and guidance to thestringent limits for residential housing to enable residents

university students on the correct use of the devices andto have a more peaceful rest on Sundays.

sound interpretation of the measured data. Fig. 7(a) and(b) show the noise and vibration measurement device,

Table 1. NEA construction noise limits on or after

respectively. The noise measurements are relatively

1st October 2007 (Mondays to Saturdays)

straightforward but one must take note that L Aeq 5 minuteis the most important measurement parameter where LAeq

Types of affected

7am –

7pm –

10pm –

is the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressurebuildings

7pm

10pm

7am

level and A-weighted sound emphasis on sound frequency

Hospital, schools,

60 dBAinstitutions of(Leq 12higher learning,hrs)

homes for aged

75 dBAsick, etc

(Leq 5mins)

Residentialbuildings locatedless than 150m
from theconstruction site

75 dBA(Leq 12hrs)
90 dBA(Leq 5mins)

Other buildings

75 dBA(Leq 12hrs)
90 dBA(Leq 5mins)

from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Fig. 8 shows the raw data of noise

50 dBAmeasurements while Fig. 9 shows the interpreted LAeq 5(Leq 12 hrs)

minute results.

55 dBA(Leq 5 mins)
65
dBA

-

(Leq 1hr)
70

55 dBAdBA(Leq 5mins)(Leq 5mins)

65 dBA(Leq 12 hrs)
70 dBA(Leq 5 mins)(a)

On vibration levels due to construction, Singapore
authorities generally require vibration measurements ofunder 5 mm/s for residential buildings and 3 mm/s for- 582 -(b)

Fig. 7 (a) Svantek 917 noise measurement device, (b)Instantel Micromate vibration monitor and receiverProceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

5. Case Studies
Noise and vibration measurements were made at 5
locations in Singapore. Four sites have subsurface profile

AMK Piler (5m)

LAeq 1 sec (dBA)comprising residual soils of sedimentary origin and weak
sedimentary rocks locally known as the Jurong Formation.
The standard penetration resistance SPT N values of thesoils/rocks range from 2 to over 100. Silent piling was
employed at all the 5 sites. For one site, noise andvibration measurements were also made on sheet piles
installed by vibro hammer and crush piler, see Fig. 11.
Time (s)One site has soil profile of old alluvium and marine clay

Fig. 8 Raw noise measurement datawith SPT N values ranging from 1 to 28. The sheet pilepenetration depth ranged from 13m to 24m at the 5 sites.
Two issues are worth mentioning. At certain sites, theAMK Piler (5m)

LAeq 5 min (dBA)noise levels due to the power source (Fig. 12) can be as
severe as or even more severe than that due to silent piling.
It is thus worth investigating on the reduction of noiselevel of the power source. In addition, the traffic noise atsome sites can be as severe as that of piling and this factor
is beyond the control of the construction personnel.

Period of 5 minutes (Index number)
Fig. 9 Interpreted LAeq results

The vibration measurements and interpretations areless straightforward as there are large fluctuations inreadings and hence possible misinterpretations of fielddata. Fig. 10 shows the recorded raw vibration data which
need to filtered to obtain the correct vibration
measurements. The correct interpretations of data require
proper training and experience.

PPV (mm/s)

AMK Piler (5m)Fig. 11 Crush Piler

6. Interpretation of Noise Measurements Versus
Distance From Source
The test results obtained from the sites are given in
Fig. 13 with the noise LAeq 5 minutes (dBA) plottedagainst distance from source. For all cases, the noise
reduces with increasing distance from the source, as
Time (s)expected. At one site, the background welding noise isFig. 10 Raw vibration measurement data

found to interfere with the measurements. The readings- 583 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

due to Power Pack are also provided in Fig. 13 as a

distance from source as shown in Fig. 15. As mentioned

comparison.

before, the raw data need to be filtered such that the correct
vibration data can be deduced. The desired limits of 5mm/s for residential buildings and 3 mm/s for sensitive
buildings as well as data from existing studies are also
marked in the figure. It is evident that vibro hammer
created much larger vibration levels as compared thosedue to silent piling for the 5 sites.
95

Average LAeq 5 min (dBA)90

NEA : residential housing

85
80

NEA : sensitive buildings

75
70
65

Fig. 12 Power pack60

For the site with the deployment of vibro hammer, it

0

10

is evident that the reduction of noise level with distance
Although the noise due to silent piling is severe when it is

Symbol○close to the source, the noise reduces significantly and●below the desired 75 dBA value at just 5m from the source.

□

By and large, Fig. 13 demonstrates that silent piling is■from source is not as good as that compared to silent piling.

more effective in reducing the noise levels during piling△as compared to vibro hammer.

▲

The above is even more evident if the noise
measurements are plotted against logarithm of distance◇◆from source, see Fig. 14. As such, one must also pay

Xappropriate attention to the effects of noise generated by+Power Pack and other background noises to check whether

20

30

40

Distance from source (m)Location
Rockaway park
T220
AMK
T222

Piler
Vibro 120ft depth
Vibro 60ft depth
Vibro 1st day
Vibro 2nd day
Power pack
Piler
Piler
Auger
2nd extraction

LeonieBackgroundwelding noise

they are the dominant noise source rather than the noisedue to piling.

Fig. 13 Plot of noise level represented by average LAeq 5 minversus distance from source

7. Interpretations of Vibration Measurements Versus
Distance from Source
The vibration measurements are interpreted as peak
particle velocity PPV and the results obtained from the 5sites (some sites with limited data) are plotted against- 584 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

95

Average LAeq 5 min (dBA)

90

NEA :
Residential housing

source from the study by White et al. (2002) is evaluated.

T222 Crush Piler
T222 Silent Piler
AMK Power PackAMK Silent Piler
Depot Road Vibro
Rockaway Vibro (60 ft)
Rockaway Vibro (120 ft)

To evaluate the measured data against the above
mentioned correlation, the plot of PPV versus log of
distance from source is presented in Fig. 16. It appears thatthe formulation presented by White et al. (2002) may not
be applicable to Singapore soils. In general, White’s85

formulation over-predicts the vibration level close to the80source while under predicts the vibration level away fromthe source. The latter may not be conservative for75

NEA : Sensitive building

Singapore soil conditions and may result in the under-70

prediction of vibration level at some distance from thesource. As limited data are available in the present study,

65

further studies are clearly needed to further investigate the
60
1

10

issue.

100

Based on the observed vibration measurements

Distance from source (m)against distance from source shown in Fig. 16, thefollowing revised empirical correlation of vibration level
PPV for press-in silent piling for Singapore soils, PPVpress-

Fig. 14 Plot of LAeq 5 min versus logarithm of distance fromin is proposed:

SourceAthanosopoulos & Pelekis, 2000
Head & Jardine, 1992
T220 Vibro 1st day
T220 Vibro 2nd day
Leonie 1st extraction
Leonie 2nd extraction
AMK Piler
AMK power packT222 Piler
T222 Piler Auger
Giken Kochi data

1210

PPV (mm/s)

8

PPVpress-in (in mm/s) = 4/(r0.4)(1)

where r is the distance from the source in m. If thedesired vibration limit PPV = 3 mm/s for sensitive
buildings, then a minimum distance of 2 m is desired
which is not significant in practice. More case studies
should be carried out to further verify the above
formulation

6

DIN 4150 :Dwellings and residential housing

4

DIN 4150 :Vibration-prone buildings

8. Concluding Remarks
Conventional dynamic piling methods are ill-suited
to the urban environment. The press-in method offers an

2alternative technique of pile installation, which allows
pre-formed piles to be installed with minimal noise and

0
0

5

10

15

20

vibration. Field measurements of noise and ground25

vibrations during press-in piling at 5 Singapore sites are

Distance from source (m)presented. It is evident that silent piling can effectively
reduce the noise and vibration levels to within the desired

Fig. 15 Vibration level versus distance from source

limits set by the authorities at a relatively short distance
Many researchers from outside Singapore had carried

from the source of piling. Based on this initial database,out research on the effects of piling on noise and vibration.

preliminary prediction formulation are presented in this

These include the studies by Roger and Littlejohn (1980),

paper. The correlation is not the same as those predicted

Head and Jardine (1992), Selby (1997) and White et al.

using an established method revealing that the latter may(2002). In the present study, the proposed simple

not be applicable to Singapore soil conditions. Equipped

correlation between vibration levels with distance fromwith these tools, designers can assess the relative- 585 -

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Press-in Engineering 2018, Kochi

environmental impact of each installation method when

Attewell P. B. & Farmer I. W. 1973. Attenuation of groundplanning piling works. Further study should be conductedvibration from pile driving. Ground Engineering, Vol.

to verify the formulation proposed in the present study.

6 (4), pp. 26-29.
BS5228. 1974. Part 4: Noise control on construction andPeak particle velocity (mm/s)

100

open sites, code of practice for noise and vibration

Attewell and Farmer (1973)
upper & lower bounds

control applicable to piling operations. British
Standards Institute, London.
Goh, T. L., Nishimura, H., Nozaki, Ikeda, T. & Motoyama,10

M. 2004a. The use of environmental friendly pressDIN 4150 (5 mm/s)

in piling technology in the construction oftransportation infrastructures. Proc. 3rd Asia Pacific

DIN 4150 (3 mm/s)

Conference on Transportation and the Environment.

Athanasopoulos
and Pelekis (2000)

1

Goh, T. L., Shiomi, T., Yamamoto, M., Ikeda T. &Motoyama M. 2004b. Press-in piling: a solution for0

Head and Jardine (1992)

road construction. Proc. 6th Malaysian Road

Depot Road Vibro

Conference, Kuala Lumpur.

1.0

10.0
Distance from source (m)Goh, T. L., Shinoda, Y., Hino, I. & Cartilo, M. C. 2004c.

100.0

Press-in piling: a solution for general cargo berth.
Proc.

International

Conferenceon

CoastalInfrastructure Development, Hong Kong.

Fig. 16 Plot of vibration level versus logarithm of distance

Goh, T. L., Katami, M. & Motoyama, M. 2007. Press-in

from source

piling technology for sustainable construction in
9. Acknowledgements
The work reported has been carried out inSoutheast Asia. Proc. Southeast Asian Geotechnicalcollaboration with National University of Singapore andHead, J. M. & Jardine, F. M. 1992. Ground-bornein part financially supported by a research grant provided

vibrations arising from piling. Technical note 142,by the International Press-in Association. The authors

Construction Industry Research and Information

also appreciate the support made by Absolute Instrument

Association (CIRIA), UK.

Systems (Pte.) Ltd. [Singapore] in allowing the use of

Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

National Environmental Agency. 2017. Guidelines fornoise and vibration level devices throughout the research

quieter construction fund, Singapore.

program. A special thanks to Guan Chuan Engineering

Rodger A. A. & Littlejohn G. S. 1980. A study of vibratory

Construction Pte. Ltd. to prepare the jobsite for the field

driving in granular soils. Géotechnique, Vol. 30 (3),measurement. Last but not least, the able assistance of

pp. 269-293.

former NUS undergraduate students Anh Tuan DANG and

Selby, A. R. 1997. Control of vibration and noise

Leslie Wei Yang GOH in the conduct of the fieldmeasurements

andinterpretationsaregratefully

publication. British Steel brochure.
White, D., Finlay, T., Bolton, M. & Bearss, G. 2002. Press-

appreciated.

in piling: ground vibration and noise during pile
installation. ASCE Special Publication, Vol. 116, pp.
363-371.

References
Athanasopoulos G. A. & Pelekis P. C. 2000. Groundvibrations

fromsheetpiledrivinginurban

environment: measurements, analysis and effects onbuildings and occupants. Soil Dynamics andEarthquake Engineering, Vol. 19 (5), pp. 371-387.

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