www.ruukki.

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Drilled pile
for demanding
conditions
Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Our operations combine expertise

in steel and foundation structures
Ruukki is one of the leading suppliers of steel
foundation structures in Europe. Our main markets
are the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region, but
thanks to our efficient logistics we are also able to
deliver solutions for demanding applications elsewhere
in Europe. Ruukki is your competent partner. Our
solutions are economically competitive and technically
first rate. They are based on our comprehensive
know-how and responsible mode of operation. To us,
partnership with the customer includes commitment to
quick and prompt delivery and consultation during the
design and executionstages, if necessary.

the RD pile serves as a casing during drilling and as a

load-bearing structure in the installed pile. Drilled piles
can be installed through all soil layers to the desired
depth, even all the way to to bedrock.

The RD pile is a reliable and extremely high quality

drilled steel pile manufactured by Ruukki for
demanding conditions. The thick-walled steel pipe of

Ruukki RD piles offer an extensive selection of pile sizes

and steel grades. RDs piles correspond to RD piles but
are made of Ruukkis strong S550J2H steel grade, which

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

The easy-to-use splicing method developed for small

diameter RD piles that meets the highest requirements set
for mechanical pile splices is a good way to improve the
productivity of piling work and the quality of foundation
structures. A large diameter RD pile is the right choice
when, besides high requirements for reliability and
quality, the pile is also subject to high loads.

further increases their compressive resistance. The RD

pile and RDs pile manufactured by Ruukki are registered
trade marks.
Ruukki have CE marking, based on European Technical
Approval (ETA-12/0526), which is the most comprehensive
CE marking to be granted to pile structures made of
structural steel. It covers the entire pile structure,
manifests the requirements and conformity of the
mechanical splices, and establishes that the product has
been manufactured specifically for piling. Ruukki is the
only steel pile manufacturer whose pile products are CE
marked, inclusive of all the components.

and engineering work. Ruukki steel piles have

received European Technical Approval ETA-12/0526.
The approval is based on detailed load tests,
especially on splices, continuous quality control
during the various phases of production, and
traceability of materials. Use of Ruukki CE marked
piles in a construction project ensures the durability
and performance of foundations. Tested products
guarantee problem-free site installation.
When you select a Ruukki turnkey delivery, you will also
get all other components, systems and overall solutions
for the steel foundations of your project conveniently
from a single supplier.

The approval covers the steel pipes of the piles, the

steel grades developed for the piles, pile accessories
Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Applications of RD piles
The use of RD piles in the foundations of different
buildings and structures allows reliable execution of
pile foundations also on sites with demanding soil
or installation conditions and sites requiring piles of
high load-bearing capacity and small installations
tolerances.

RD piles are suitable for use in

demanding applications when:
The soil contains obstacles in the soil that are
difficult to penetrate such as stones, boulders or old
foundation structures.
The aim is to ensure that piles bear securely on
bedrock, as in the case of piles subject to compressive
or tensile loads designed to be bear on bedrock.
The bedrock slants and piles need to be prevented
from sliding by drilling them into bedrock.
The bedrock lies close to ground surface and requires
rigid installation of piles by drilling them into bedrock
to provide a stable foundation.
The foundation is subject to high concentrated loads
in soil conditions that require a pile foundation,
where the use of conventional piles would require a
great number of piles and a large footing.
The foundation is subject to high concentrated loads
in frictional soil areas where a conventional groundsupported spread foundation requires a large footing
and a lot of earthwork.

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

The installation method of RD piles offers

considerable advantages when:
The piling is subject to high precision and quality
requirements.
Piling work takes place near existing buildings or
structures and there are strict requirements for the
environmental impacts of the piling, such as vibration,
soil settlement and diplacements.
Piling takes place under restricted access and
headroom conditions.

RD and RDs piles for all kinds of construction

RD piles are suitable for construction of detached houses,
blocks of flats, and office and industrial buildings. Thanks
to their extensive size range, pile foundations can be
optimised effectively. The use of RDs piles allows higher
loading on the piles and thus reduces the number of piles.
The use of RD piles offers many advantages in the
construction of bridges, transport infrastructure and
harbours. In piled embankment slab projects with
demanding soil conditions, small diameter RD piles ensure,
for example, risk-free execution of the piling. The duration
of the RD piling work can also be estimated accurately.
RD piles are highly suitable for underpinning of foundations
in confined spaces using short pile sections. RD piles spliced
using threaded sleeves are very straight after installation
and installation tolerances are small, which makes the
load-bearing capacity of the RD pile excellent.
RD piles may also be used as energy piles. For more
details on the energy piles see Ruukkis eRR- and eRD
energy piles brochure.

RD pile wall
The RD pile wall is a retaining wall solution based on
Ruukki RD piles for particularly demanding conditions
that is installed by drilling. Implementing the foundation
of the building by the RD pile wall eliminates the need of
a special construction-time retaining wall. RD pile wall
speeds up the implementation of the foundation and is
an economically sound solution. For more information
see Ruukki RD pile wall brochure.
Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Small diameter RD piles

Pile pipes and sections
Small diameter RD piles are based on high quality longitudinally welded steel pipes.
RD90-RD220 piles are delivered as pipe sections equipped with mechanical splices or as
pile pipes without splices. RD270-RD320 piles are delivered as pile pipes.
The standard lengths of the pipe sections are 6 or 12 metres, depending on pile size. The
recommended project-specific lengths of pipe sections are 6, 4, 3, 2, 1.5, 1.2 or 1.0 metres. For the
sectional properties of the piles, see Ruukkis design and installation instructions for steel piles.

Steel grades and standards

Steel grades specially manufactured by Ruukki for piling applications are used for RD piles. The steel grade of
the RD piles is S440J2H and that of the RDs piles S550J2H. Against special order, the piles may also be delivered in
MH steel grades according to standard EN10219. The selection of the steel grade affects significantly the structural
resistance of the pile. Pile diameter or wall thickness may in many cases be reduced or the total number of piles
decreased by selecting a higher steel grade.

Pile splices
RD and RDs piles come with threaded sleeves that meet the requirements for rigid splices of Eurocode 1993-5 Finnish
NA and Finnish Piling manual PO-2011. Threaded sleeves can be used with pile sizes RD/RDs115 to RD/RDs220 when
the thickness of the wall is at least 8mm. Piles may also be spliced by welding according to Ruukkis design and
installation instructionss, in which case the piles are delivered with specified bevels.

Identification of piles

Advantages of threaded sleeves

Ruukki RD piles are identified by

markings on the side of the pile. Pile
bundles are delivered with product
descriptions that indicate, besides
pile manufacturer and dimensions,
the steel grade of the RD piles.

Using threaded sleeves facilitates making reliable splices even in

demanding site conditions without welding. It eliminates the need for a
qualified welder during installation. Moreover, natural conditions are not
a challenge to the implementation of a perfect splice, either. The time
needed for splicing is also considerably shorter than with welding. Other
advantages of the threaded sleeve are high fatigue strength and tensile
strength of the splice.

Range
RD/RDs90
RD/RDs115/6.3
RD/RDs115/8
RDs125/6.3
RD/RDs140/8
RD/RDs140/10
RD/RDs170/10
R/RDsD170/12.5
RD/RDs220/10
RD/RDs220/12.5
6

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

RD threaded sleeve

RDs threaded sleeve

Bearing plates
Usually a bearing plate is installed at the top of the RD pile to
transfer the loads of the superstructure to the pile. The bearing
plate is centred on the pile shaft by an internal sleeve, which
serves to keep the bearing plate in place.

Installation by light equipment

Bearing plate
Threaded
pile section

Threaded sleeve

Small diameter RD piles can be installed with considerably

lighter equipment than conventional piles of equal compressive
strength. This is a major advantage when conditions are difficult
for big installation equipment or the installation space is
confined. Moreover, the installation of RD piles causes only a
little vibration in the environment.
Welded splice
(bevelled ends)

Casing shoe/
ring bit

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Large diameter RD piles

Pile pipes
Large diameter RD piles are based on spirally welded high quality steel pipes. The
pile range covers sizes 400 to 1200 mm. The size range of RD piles is shown in Table 2.
Large diameter RD piles can also be made in other diameters and customer-specific wall
thicknesses specified to within 0.1 mm. For more detailed sectional properties of the piles see
Ruukkis design and installation instructions for steel piles.

Steel grades
Standard steel grade S355J2H and steel grades S440J2H and S550J2H specially manufactured by Ruukki
for piling applications are used for large diameter RD piles. Against special order the piles may also be
delivered in MH steel grades according to standard EN10219 or X grades according to API5L.

Identification of piles

Splicing of piles

Ruukki RD piles are identified

by a marking on the side. Piles
are supplied with product
descriptions that indicate,
besides pile manufacturer and
dimensions, the steel grade of the
RD piles.

Up to 39 m long large diameter RD piles without splice welds can be

manufactured to order. The longest steel pipe piles with welded splices
delivered by Ruukki have been 45 m long. Piles cut to size according to the
customers specification help minimise splice welding on site and bring
considerable savings in construction costs and time. If necessary, RD piles
can be spliced by welding on site.

Pile accessories
Stock sizes L=12m

RD400/12.5

S440J2H (S355J2H)

RD500/12.5

S440J2H (S355J2H)

RD600/12.5

S355J2H

RD700/12.5

S355J2H

RD800/12.5

S355J2H

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Large diameter RD piles can be delivered individually according to the

customers designs. If necessary, casing shoes delivered or specified by the
customer can be welded onto piles. Ruukki does not manufacture the ring
and pilot bits used in installation.
The piles of an RD pile wall are equipped with interlocks according to the
designers specifications. If necessary, RD piles can also be delivered with a
protective paint or HDPE 3-layer coating.

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Design of RD piles
RD piles are dimensioned according to current
European (CEN) norms and standards and/or national
regulations and guidelines. The extensive range of size
steel grades of Ruukki steel pipe piles provide grounds
for an overall economic foundation solution.
The piles may be dimensioned either as steel structures
or as steel-concrete composite structures. If, in addition
to the normal compressive force, the pile is also
loaded by bending moment/torque or shear force, it is
dimensioned for the combined stresses. The corrosion

of steel piles is usually considered by subtracting the

corrosion allowance corresponding to the design life of
the structure from the wall thickness of the cross section.
The bearing capacity of RD piles is usually determined by
the resistance of the structure, because the geotechnical
resistance of a pile bearing on Nordic hard bedrock is higher
than the bearing capacity of the structure. Geotechnical
resistanceis ensured by drilling the RD pile a distance
equalling 3 times the pile diameter, but no less than 0.5 m
into solid rock. The end driving during installation ensures
good contact between the pile and the rock and high
geotechnical resistance after installation.

Table 1. Technical and chemical properties of standard steels of RD piles.

Steel grade

Carbon
equivalent

Chemical composition, max.

Mechanical properties
Impact strength

CEV max.

Mn

fy min

fu

A5 min

T*)

KV min

[%]

[%]

[%]

[%]

[%]

[MPa]

[MPa]

[%]

[C]

[J]

S355J2H

0.45

0.22

1.6

0.03

0.03

355

470-630

20

-20

27

S440J2H

0.45

0.16

1.6

0.02

0.02

440

490-630

17

-20

27

S550J2H

0.47

0.12

1.9

0.02

0.02

550

605-760

14

-20

27

*) Testing temperature may also be -40 C. Demanded impact energy remains the same.

10

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Table 2. Pile sizes and steel grades.

Pila

Diameter
[mm]

RD90

88.9

RD115

114.3

RDs125

127.0

RD140

139.7

RD170

168.3

RD220

219.1

RD270

273.0

RD320

323.9

RD400

406.4

RD450

457.0

RD500

508.0

RD550

559.0

RD600

610.0

RD650

660.0

RD700

711.0

RD750

762.0

RD800

813.0

RD900

914.0

RD1000

1016.0

RD1200

1220.0

Wall thickness [mm]

6.3

10

12.5

14.2

16

18

20

Steel grade S550J2H

Steel grades S440J2H and S550J2H
Steel grades S440J2H, S550J2H and S355J2H
Steel grades S440J2H and S355J2H

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

11

RD piles benefit the environment

Ruukki is a pioneer in the development of high steel grades.

The development aims at ever higher efficiency of steel
structures and higher steel capacity utilisation.
The steel grade used for RDs piles specially
designed for piling allows saving up to 25
to 40% of the material needed for piling
compared to conventional steel grades.

The entire delivery chain of Ruukki

steel piles from raw material to
final product is carefully managed
and controlled. An environmental
declaration conforming to the
requirements of standards ISO 14020
and ISO 14040 has been prepared for
the steel piles. The customer be
100% sure of its accuracy.
The Swedish Byggvarubedmningen
recommends Ruukki steel piles in
its classification of environmentally
friendly building materials and
products.

Ruukkis steel production releases

250,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide
annually than the average European steel
maker producing the same amount of steel.
The share of recycled steel in steel production
is up to 30%.
A large portion of the raw materials used in steel
making are produced near Finland. The journey of
a steel pile from raw material to final product does
not involve long distances.

1
12

Ruukkis work on the responsibility has received recognitions

worldwide. For more information, please visit:
http://www.ruukki.com/Corporate-responsibility

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

Steel is a very durable material in relation to its weight. The transportation

and handling of RD piles requires considerably less energy than other
foundation and ground improvement solutions.

The threaded sleeves used for splices in Ruukki

piles speed up pile splicing considerably. The
productivity of the work increases and less
inconvenience is caused to people living
and working in the vicinity of the site.

5
6

All mechanical splices of Ruukki piles

are designed so that the entire crosssectional capacity can be fully used
in the dimensioning of the pile.
Ruukki splices have been tested
and are functionally reliable.

The RD pile wall is a new innovative

way to implement foundations of
buildings with a basement or other
watertight structures quickly and
cost-effectively. It reduces the work
phases required by conventional
construction, the amount of energy
consumed and disturbance to the
environment.

RD piles can also be installed by light

equipment, the installation causes only little
vibration, and replacement piles do not displace
soil. RD piles can easily also be used as energy piles.
In the energy pile solution, geothermal heat collecting
pipes are inserted in the pile, whereby the pile functions
as part of the buildings heating and cooling system.
Energy piles provide considerable added value to the steel
pile foundations and improve the environmental efficiency of
steel piles even further.

Steel is the most recycled material in the world.

A final product made of steel is 100% recyclable.

7
8
9

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

13

Installation
RD piles are installed according to Ruukkis steel
pile design and installation manual and / or national
instructions, such as PO-2011 in Finland. RD piles allow
utilisation of versatile installation equipment with a
view to the requirements and conditions on site. When
selecting installation equipment for drilled RD piles, it
must be ensured that the piles can be installed to the
design depth into solid bedrock through soil layers and
possible obstacles and that the environmental impacts
of drilling remain as small as possible.
The drilling equipment used in the installation of RD piles
are based either on a top hammer or a DTH hammer. Top
hammer drilling equipment can generally be used for
drilling piles up to diameter RD220. The maximum pile
length with top hammer equipment is usually about
30 metres. DTH hammer equipment can drill piles up to
diameter RD1200. Pile length does not have a big impact
on drilling capacity and speed of installation.

14

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

DTH hammer equipment has been used to install piles

up to 70 metres long. DTH hammer equipment are
usually driven by compressed air but it is also possible
to use water-driven units. During installation, soil
is driven up the casing usually by compressed air.
In particularly sensitive conditions, the use of water
instead of compressed air may be considered.
RD piles are drilled either by a centric or eccentric
drilling method, and the tip of the pile is equipped
with the ring bit and/or casing shoe required by the
drilling method. The ring bit and/or casing shoe will
remain part of the piles load-bearing structure, so
they must be able to withstand the stresses on them.
There are special bits for different applications and
conditions.
With threaded sleeves it is recommendable to use drill bits
designed especially for use with Ruukki threaded sleeves.
For more information on recommended drill bits see
Ruukkis design and installation instructions for steel piles.

Manufacture, quality control

and delivery terms of products
Ruukkis operations conform to the procedures
defined in ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems
and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management
Systems. The quality systems ensure that the process
runs smoothly from the procurement of raw materials
to the delivery of the final product to the customer.
Ruukki RD piles are made of high-quality steel from
the Raahe Works.

The manufacture of RD piles and accessories is based on

modern automated production technology that ensures
the high quality of the products.
The technical delivery conditions of the piles conform
to standard SFS-EN 10219-1. Dimensions and tolerances
are according to standard SFS-EN 10219-2. A material
certificate of type 2.2 or 3.1 specified in SFS-EN 10204 is
supplied with the pile material.

For more information on Ruukki steel pile products see Ruukkis web pages.
Ruukkis dimensioning software and the Tekla components for piles and pile foundations
can be downloaded from software.ruukki.com.

Ruukki RD and RDs piles

15

Ruukki Construction Oy, Harvialantie 420, 13300 Hmeenlinna, Finland

Tel. +358 20 5911, Fax +358 20 592 5656, www.ruukki.com
Copyright 2014 Rautaruukki Corporation. All rights reserved. Ruukki, Rautaruukki, Living. Working. Moving.
and Ruukkis product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rautaruukki Corporation

CFI03/022EN/04.2014/PR

Energy-efficient steel solutions

for better living,
working and moving.