Explain Pile Driving Hammers and their types

One of the main problems faced by a construction contractor is choosing the right foundation equipment like pile driving hammers. And, when it comes to picking the right pile driving hammer, using a single piece of equipment for various tasks can certainly save money. However, how much room you’ll have to move it around the job site is, of course, another primary concern. 

At Hydraulic Power Systems, we offer a full range of pile driving hammers. We can help you identify the most appropriate pile driving hammer to keep your project problem-free. 

What is a Pile Driving hammer?

Pile driving hammers are the equipment used to drive piles into the soil and in some cases, underwater to build support for buildings or other structures like dams. Every hammer has a unique strength and working process. For instance, if you’re looking for equipment that works efficiently in the mining industry, a Hydraulic Auger is what you will need. 

Different types of Pile Driving Hammer

Hydraulic Power System’s range of pile driving hammers can help your construction team to lower the labor costs and speed up the building process efficiently. Following are the most demanded and robust pile driving equipment on rentals in Missouri:

Vibratory Hammers

A vibratory hammer is used to drive sheet piles, pipes or other components into the soil by vertical vibrations. These hammers are easy to ship and can be used near residential areas without disturbing the people living in the surrounding areas. To keep your workers safe, we can provide radio remotes for operational efficacy from extended distances. These hammers can be used to both drive piles into and extract piles from the ground.

Caisson Hammers

Caisson hammers are useful for bridge pier foundations and dam construction projects. With a 90 degrees turning plate and power pack unit, these hammers drive caissons and then secure them as the mud/dirt/sediment settles cleanly back into place. At Hydraulic Power Systems, we offer 6 caisson hammer models to choose from. 

Diesel Hammers

Diesel hammers are used to drive piles into a supporting soil layer. With its power and fuel efficiency, they can be used effectively in a wide range of environments.

Sheeting Hammers

If you’re looking for equipment that pushes or presses piles without using vibrations, you will need sheeting hammers. These hammers are an alternative to vibratory hammers and can effectively drive piles and/or caissons into the silt, mud, or other types of environments. All of our 7 models of sheeting hammers are suitable for the static pressing and extracting of sheet piles. 

Excavator Mounted Hammers

With ergonomic design and powerful performance, the excavator-mounted hammers are useful to drive piles when the workspace is minimal in size or otherwise restricted. Along with a smooth and quiet performance, this equipment provides the fastest way to drive or extract various pile materials with minimal effort.

Pile driving equipment rentals in Missouri

Hydraulic Power Systems offer all kinds of pile driving equipment on rentals in Missouri. We are ready to provide you with everything you need for your construction projects. Reach out to us today for assistance in selecting the right equipment for your work. Call 816.221.4774 or visit the website - https://hydraulicpowersystems.com/ 

Read More:- How can you use a Hydraulic Auger in Winter?

Caisson hammers: Components, Working, and Applications - Hydraulic Power Systems

A caisson is a box-like structure that is used as a foundation or as a water-tight structure that allows construction employees to work underwater without needing SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) equipment.

There are four major types of caissons used in construction projects: Box, Open, Monolithic, and Pneumatic.

A box caisson is a structure that is open at the top and closed on all four sides, as well as the bottom. These are usually floated over a prepared underwater foundation, then filled with cement to sink the caisson and create a foundation structure that can be used in the construction of dams or for bridge piers.

An open caisson has four walls but is open at both the top and the bottom. The bottom is fitted with a cutting edge that allows the caisson to sink into soft material, such as sand or the muddy bottom of a river. As it is driven into the ground, additional box caissons are placed on top, making a connected tube that allows workers on the surface to pump our water, silt, and mud until the caisson hits the bedrock. The “well” created is then filled with concrete to complete the pier.

Monolithic caissons are similar to box caissons but are much larger in size. They are generally used for quay walls where impact resistance from large cargo ships is necessary, basically acting as a large bumper.

Pneumatic caissons have four walls and a closed top but open bottom. They create a space between the cutting edge and the bulkhead, providing an area that can be pressurized to keep water and mud out, providing a space for workers to enter from the surface by way of an airlock. This allows construction crew members to work inside the caisson, excavating the mud and soil below through a muck tube.

Since these structures are generally not completely solid like a normal pile that might be driven into the soil for a foundation base, they can’t be embedded with a traditional pile-driving impact hammer. They require a specialized type of hammer to sink them into position and drive them further down to facilitate whatever purpose they are being used for.

This is accomplished through a caisson hammer that actually uses vibration instead of brute force to sink the caisson into sand or mud. The vibration from the hammer actually helps to move the surface material the caisson is being driven into out of the way, allowing the caisson to easily sink in until the proper depth is reached. When the vibrations are turned off, the mud and/or sand settles back into place, fully securing the caisson where it needs to be.

Because they use vibration instead of force, caisson hammers can be used in almost any kind of ground condition, including underwater projects where foundations are needed for bridges, piers, breakwaters, or similar projects. 

Once in place, they become permanently lodged to the sea or river bottom, providing the support needed to complete the rest of the project. And because the vibration can be controlled to target only the areas immediately surrounding the caisson while it is being sunk, the process is much more environmentally friendly to the surrounding sea life.

If your company does not currently have a caisson hammer, but you have been awarded a project that requires one, you may want to consider caisson hammer rentals in Missouri.