- Check soil conditions from soil test logs to determine how hard or soft the soil is expected to be. If ground is too hard to drive piles the job may require shorter piles or pre-drilling the harder ground prior to starting. Do not overdrive/force piles in hard conditions as damage can occur.
- Dense sands can cause piles to distort or refuse to drive, jetting at the toe of the pile can assist with advancing further.
- Check the crane has enough height to clutch the next pile when the previous pile is still partly in the air. Make sure the boom of the crane is ‘luffed’ correctly directly over the top of the line of the piles to avoid bending the pile you are driving.
- Use a ground release Pile Lifting Clamp to lift a pile into the air & clutch with another pile.
- Use a Sheet Pile Threader where piles are being clutched in the air. When a pile is clutched, avoid dropping the pile as it can bend and cause damage.
- The trailing sheet pile clutch on a pile about to be driven should be greased to help it slide with the next pile. Either with a greased rang wiping it in the clutch or applying a small amount to the clutch, not excessive, causing grease to come out.
- The head of a bolt should be tack welded over the clutch opening on the leading edge of the sheet at the base to help stop soil getting jammed in the clutch while driving thus keeping it clean for threading of the next pile to be driven.
- Groups of piles should be driven together using a guide or template and advancing each pile only a few metres at a time otherwise the leading edge can wander or bend. This is done in a ‘stepping’ or ‘panel’ driving fashion.
- If an obstruction is found, keep driving the successive piles until past the obstruction. You can come back later and try driving the obstructed piles again.
