Pile driving is the most ancient technique of deep foundation construction and has been prevalent for thousands of years. Moreover, the uses of the driven piles and the evolution in the methods are remarkable. Though the core technique remains the same i.e driving piles through pushing force for installation.
Various equipment, machine, parts, components, and power sources have gone through updations and are involved in the process. You can easily get the latest and affordable equipment as per your application requirements from the pile driving equipment rentals in Missouri.
A pile driver is a machine that is used for driving the piles vertically into the ground or soil without excavation. Piles are strong columns made of steel, concrete, wood, etc. There are sheet piles, pipe piles, H-pile, timber, and precast concrete piles. Driving them into a specific area with inappropriate surface or subsurface situations will enable the desired structure formation or will provide support to the buildings.
Pile driving hammers are at the core of the pile driving process or system. Their function is to drive the piles into the soil. This article discusses different types of uses associated with pile driving hammers.
The features and application of different types of pile driving hammers
Drop/Steam/Air hammers - For all soil conditions
Drop hammers are the most ancient type and are still in use for their simple applications. Steam hammers are said to be industrial power hammers. There are single-acting and double-acting air/steam hammers available with the pile driving equipment rentals in Missouri. They can be used as per the power requirement with varied pressure, frequency, and strokes.
The power source of drop hammers that lifts the ram/piston is steam or compressed air. The pile resides on the bottom side of the cylinder and the hammer is connected to the piston enabling the vertical movement of the hammer within or alongside.
The steam pressure will lift the hammer over the pile and drops it with its release with the help of gravity. The ram above the stroke hits and drives the pile into the soil. The hammer’s weight can vary depending upon the job requirement.
Diesel Pile Hammers - For supporting soil layers
As the name suggests, the power source of the diesel pile hammer is through the huge two-stroke diesel engine. The weight is handled at the ram or piston. Besides, the part that links to the top of the pile is a cylinder.
The cable holding the pile driver raises the impact hammer’s weight and this results in the cylinder’s air extraction and fuel insertion. Moreover, with the quick-release mechanism, the weight is dropped. Also, the fuel gets to the ignition point with the heat generation. This is due to the compression of fuel and air formed from the piston’s weight.
The ignition will drive the weight upwards when the energy of the weight-fall shifts to the pile head and the fresh air is extracted every time the weight rises. The cycle continues in this manner. The closed-end hammers can give 30-50 blows per minute and open-end hammers are capable of 70-80 blows.
The modern diesel hammers are said to be the most essential equipment parts for today’s deep foundation. They come with adjustable fuel pumps to control the stroke and energy. This is highly beneficial in the conditions when the soil formation changes.
Hydraulic impact hammers - For loose soil
Hydraulic hammers are modern, better, and environmentally-friendly alternatives for diesel and air hammers. They are very effective for driving steel pipes, precast concrete, timber piles, beams, etc.
In this hammer type, the pile slides vertically after it is released through the weight placed above the pile, which hits and hammers it into the soil.
Factually, the compression in the surrounding soil due to the driven pile causes higher friction further rising the pile's load-bearing capacity. The Hydraulic impact hammers are suitable in such loose soil conditions due to their special capabilities. They are capable of doing complex jobs in a minimum time period.
Also, the pile driving equipment rentals in Missouri provides different models and versions on rent or sale.
They can create high impact with a relatively low weight of the hammer. Also, they can be equipped with various types of carriers. Moreover, there is a grease port that enables the greasing of demolition tools to save them from wearing or damage due to its void. There are no springs or heavy mounting brackets in these hammers making its operation more reliable, easy, and productive.
Vibratory pile hammers - For loosening the soil
Modern-day vibratory hammers can be operated with the varied static moment and position adjustment to pile or extract sheet piles, H-beams, sand piles, etc. They come in various models with low to high frequency. They are highly beneficial where the surrounding areas must not be disturbed such as old structures.
Vibratory pile hammers use vertical vibrations to get the adjacent soil in motion and this way drive the piles easily into the ground. Their specialty is that they are very lightweight and do not create loud noises. If you are looking to do the underwater jobs, these are operable there too.
You can get the appropriate type as per your application from the vibratory hammer rental. Also, you can rent the other types of hammers depending upon your job requirement.
HPSI - The leading pile driving equipment rentals in Missouri
Hydraulic Power Systems Inc (HPSI) has been serving clients across the world with the best quality custom designing and manufacturing of foundation construction equipment. We can offer the best hydraulic systems as per your specifications. We are also known for our exceptional services meeting our client needs in the best possible manner.
Get the quality equipment at competitive prices for hydraulic winch systems, augers, vibratory drivers/extractors, excavator-mounted hammers, pile driving accessories, etc. We also provide the best caisson hammers in Missouri for rent or sale.
Contact the best vibratory hammer rental today to get help with your custom requirements. We can even assist you to choose the right type of pile driving hammers as per your job application.
Call us on 816.221.4774 and visit our website to know more about HPSI’s wide product range here -https://hydraulicpowersystems.com/