Factors in pile driving

Final Set Value for Each Blow (S)

Final set value can be determined by site measurement. It can be achieved by drawing
a pencil steadily along the straight edge to make a line on the card as a series of
blows is struck. The penetration of at least 10 blows shall be recorded on the site
during set in Hong Kong. When the pile rests on a stiffer soil layer, the set of the pile
becomes smaller and the result is a higher driving resistance. Sometimes, the design
final set value is limited not less than 2.5mm in some government department to
prevent the excess settlement of piles even through the bearing capacity of the pile is
adequate. Continuous driving at sets of less than 1mm is not recommended since it
will destroys the integrity of pile.

Temporary Compression or elastic rebound

of Pile and Soil (Cp+Cq) or (K2+K3)

These values are measured on site using a pencil

to mark a paper which is attached to the pile
during set driving to determine the temporary
compression of pile and soil.
 Control of Pile driving (when to stop driving ?)
Pile Driving Formula (Hiley’s formula)
2
WV
Potential energy e f Wr H = r i (1)
2g
Wr 2 W p 2
u +
Wr u 2 + W p u p
up 2
2g 2g
Efficiency of impact e =
Wr 2 = 2
(2)
Vi WrVi
2g

where u = hammer velocity after impact up = pile velocity after impact

Conservati on of momentum WrVi = Wr u + W p u p (3)

Coefficient of elastic restitution n is the ratio of the relative velocity before

and after impact and is defined as
up − u
n= (4)
Vi − 0
(Wr − nW p ) (1 + n )WrVi
Put (4) in (3) u= Vi (5) Put (5) in (3) up =
(Wr + W p ) (Wr + W p )

2
⎛ Wr − nW p ⎞ 2 W p (1 + n) 2 Wr 2Vi 2
Wr ⎜ ⎟V +
⎜ W +W ⎟ i (Wr + W p )
2
(Wr − nW p ) + (1 + n) WrW p
2 2

e= ⎝ r p ⎠
=
(Wr + W p )
2 2
WrVi
 Pile driving
(Wr + W p )(Wr + n 2W p ) Wr + n 2W p
= = (6)
(Wr + W p )
2
Wr + W p

Wr + n 2Wp
Energy transferred to pile = e f WrH (7)
Wr + Wp
Energy absorbed by pile can be expressed as the product of pile capacity and the
deformation. Work done during impact is approximately given by elastic and
plastic energy in the pile as

⎛ 1 ⎞ Wr + n 2W p (8)
Ru ⎜ S + (K1 + K 2 + K 3 )⎟ = e f WrH
⎝ 2 ⎠ Wr + W p

Where Ru is the pile capacity, K1 represent energy absorbed by pile head and cap,
K2 is elastic compression of pile is given by RuL/AE (neglect effect of skin
friction), K 3 is the elastic rebound of soil, S is the set or plastic deformation.

A factor ½ appear in eq.(8) because that component is the elastic energy. K2 + K3

can be measured from the rebound curve measured on site so that only typical
value of K1 is required. For K1 to K3, they represent the elastic energy portion and
hence there is a ½ in the term. For the set s, it is plastic energy and hence the term
½ does not exist in eq.(8).
 Limitations of Hiley’s formula

In conservation of momentum, eq.(3), the whole weight of pile cannot be taken, as it

takes time for force wave to travel to pile base. The pile is not a rigid body, so only
part of the pile experience the force and in motion.

The coefficient of restitution is taken as a constant, but it is not.

Dynamic resistance is different from static resistance

The rate at which the soil is sheared is not accounted for during pile driving. The
high-strain rates in cohesive soils during pile penetration can cause the viscous
resistance of the soil to be considerably greater than the static capacity of the pile.
Poskitt (1991) shows that without considering soil damping, the driving resistance
can be overestimated by several times.

It only considers the hammer ram and the pile as concentrated masses in the transfer
of energy. In fact, the driving system includes many other elements such as the anvil,
helmet, and hammer cushion. Their presence also influences the magnitude and
duration of peak force being delivered to the pile.
 Examples in Hiley’s formula
Final set Calculation for Drop Hammer
The ultimate bearing capacity of pile R =Wh*H*e*N/(S + C / 2 )
where R = ultimate pile capacity = design working load x 2 = 5400 kN ;
N = ( Wh + P x n²) / ( Wh + P )
Wh = weight of hammer = 120 kN ; n = coefficient of restitution = 0.4
e = efficiency of free fall = 0.8 H = free fall height of hammer
P2 = weight of helmet = 4.8 kN (no follower)
S = final set (mm) per blow
C =Cc + Cp + Cq (mm) ⇔ k1,k2,k3 in notes
Cc = temporary compression of pile head = 6.0 mm
Assume Cp+Cq = on site temporary compression of pile & quake = 20 mm

Type of Pile : 500 Dia. x 125mm Thk. Prestressed Precast Concrete Pile
Length of Pile ( Lp ) = 30 m H = 2.0 m
Unit Weight of Pile = 3.8 kN/m P1 = 30 x 3.8=114 kN
P = P1 + P2 =114 + 4.8 = 118.8 kN
N =( 120 + 0.4² x 118.8 ) / ( 120 + 118.8 ) = 0.582
R =5400 =( 120 x 2 x 0.8 x 0.582 )x 1000/[ S + 0.5 ( 6 + 20 )]
s =7.69 mm per blow or 77 mm per 10 blows

For drop hammer, the height of free fall can be controlled easily and hence H is used.
Examples in Hiley’s formula
Since Cp+Cq is purely based on assumption,
on site, it may takes other values, hence
generate a table with different Cp+Cq
 Examples in Hiley’s formula
The ultimate bearing capacity of pile by diesel hammer is:
R = E * e * N/( S + C / 2 )
where R =ultimate pile capacity = design working load x 2 = 5900 kN
N =( W + P x n² ) / ( W + P )
W =weight of hammer = 100 kN n=coefficient of restitution = 0.32
e =efficiency of hammer = 0.9 P2 = weight of helmet = 4.8 kN
S = final set (mm) per blow
Cc = temporary compression of pile head = 2.5 mm
Cp+Cq = on site temporary compression of pile & quake = 32 mm
Type of Pile : 305 x 305 x 180 kg/m Bearing H-Pile Grade 55C

Length of Pile ( Lp ) = 28 m Blow Count : 38 Blows /Min.

Energy Output : = 100 x ( 66 / 38 )2 = 301.66 kNm
Unit Weight of Pile = 1.766kN/m P1 = 28 x 1.766=49.44kN
P = P1 + P2 = 49.44 + 4.8= 54.24 kN
N = ( 100 + 0.32² x 54.24 ) / ( 100 + 54.24 ) = 0.684
R = 5900 = ( 301.66 x 0.9 x 0.684 ) x 1000/[ S + 0.5 ( 2.5 + 32 )]
S = 14.22 mm per blow or 142 mm per 10 blows

For diesel hammer, height of free fall is not easily controlled, hence blow count is
commonly used nowadays.
Examples in Hiley’s formula