Pile Driving
How it works
A piling machine positions and plumbs the pile over a surveyed point, then drives it into the ground. In the impact variant, a hammer (drop, hydraulic, or diesel) repeatedly strikes the pile head, delivering kinetic energy that overcomes tip resistance and shaft friction. In the vibratory variant, a vibrator oscillates the pile at high frequency, temporarily reducing soil friction so the pile settles under its own weight and crowd force. In the press-in variant, a hydraulic ram statically pushes the pile. Driving continues until the design depth or design resistance (set/refusal per blow) is reached, confirming capacity. Robotic machines add self-positioning (GNSS/sensors), automatic plumbing, and logging of driving parameters.
Problem solved
Transferring structural loads through weak, compressible soil layers to competent bearing strata deeper down, where shallow foundations (slabs, footings) cannot provide adequate capacity or acceptable settlement. Automation additionally reduces labor intensity, positioning errors, and human exposure to noise and vibration.