Penetration of driven piles into pre-crushed blasted rock: Case Jätkäsaari

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science Vol. 710; no. 1; p. 12052
• Main Authors: Vasilopoulos, K, Korkiala-Tanttu, L, Rantala, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.04.2021
• Subjects: Case crushing; Crushing; Driven piles; Inclinometers; Iron; Nodular iron; Pile driving; Piles; Pipe piles; Reinforced concrete; Reinforcing steels; Rocks; Steel; Steel pipes
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/710/1/012052

Abstract This paper deals with the ability of three driven pile types to penetrate a 0/300 mm pre-crushed blasted rock used as a fill material in the area of Jätkäsaari, Helsinki. The aim of this study was to test whether driven piles can be used as a foundation method in this fill instead of the more expensive drilled piles. In order to achieve that, a test area was created in Ahdinallas, Jätkäsaari. Piles with similar capacities of 300×300 reinforced concrete, RR170/12,5 steel pipe and TRM170/13 ductile iron were driven. The ground conditions in the test-piling area comprised of a 25-30 meter pre-crushed blasted rock layer, underneath of which was a 2-5 meter moraine layer. Thirty-three piles were driven in total, all equipped with a rock shoe. The area was laser-scanned prior and after piling. A pile driving record was kept, and inclinometer, torch, and PDA/CAPWAP measurements were made on the piles. All the piles that penetrated only the pre-crushed blasted rock stayed intact and were successful. Steel pipe and ductile iron piles however, penetrated the material with more ease and less hits/meter. As long as a pile would surely penetrate only a pre-crushed blasted rock layer, all of the tested pile types would be suitable for use as a foundation method. If there is a chance, however, that larger rock pieces are present, steel pipe piles or ductile iron piles would be a safer choice.