Piling is a technical foundational application that requires a wealth of experience and training to carry out safely and accurately. As a type of deep foundational solution, the piles that are used are typically made from concrete or steel and come in at around 10 metres in length. This means that specialist machinery, known as a piling rig, is necessary for their application and installation. Read on as we explain how a piling rig works…
A piling rig is a piece of specialist machinery used in the application of foundational piles and is used in order to drive the piles, often made from materials like wood, concrete or steel, into the ground. There are many different components that make up a piling rig such as the lifting bale, the suspension cables, the pile hammer, the leaders, the pipe cap and pipe cap gates and, finally, the stabbing bell. Each one works in harmony with the other in order for a pile to be lifted above the ground and then driven into place.
A lot of power is required in order to complete this action and it is essential that the pile is straight at all times. With this said, the application is relatively simple on paper. The process begins with a heavy weight being placed between the guides in order to move them up and down evenly. This is then placed on top of a pile which is raised above the ground using either diesel or hydraulics. Once it reaches the optimum height for the rig, the weight is released which then ‘hammers’ on top of the pile with great force, driving it firmly into the ground.
There are many different types of pile driving hammers, and each one works in a different way depending on the needs of the application. For example, a diesel hammer uses a large diesel engine and a piston weight, hydraulic hammers are often thought of as a modern alternative to the diesel hammer and makes use of a hydraulic motor, and an accelerated hydraulic hammer is a multipurpose option that allows for faster piling installation.
Many people are often surprised to discover the immense size of a traditional piling rig as it is not uncommon for the machinery to reach heights of around 25 metres! Here at Rhino Piling, we have a range of different rigs that allow us to provide piling solutions for a variety of different projects, as well as mini-piling rigs that make it possible to work in existing-builds. To find out more information, get in contact with the best piling company Rhino Piling today!
