NAME

METRIC NO

: AHMAD AMALLUDIN BIN AMRAN (1 SBEC)

: A13 BE0001

1) Briefly discuss with sketches the theories and practices of 3 types of

precast concrete piles commonly applied for a multi-storey building. (10
marks)
There are 3 types of precast concrete pile :
1) Square pile/precast reinforced concrete pile
2) Spun pile
3) Precast micro injection
1) THEORY OF PRECAST REINFORCES CONCRETE PILE
Precast reinforced concrete pile consists of reinforcement inside that pile.
This is designed to prevent the piles from easily crack or damage. Precast reinforced
concrete piles can be constructed either in factory or on site. The quality of the pile
is very much affected by the construction and production process. Extending
precast piles without joints is a lengthy process. It requires breaking down the
projecting pile head to provide a suitable lap for the steel reinforcement and casting
concrete to form the joint. Piles can also be connected by epoxy to form the joint.
Good alignment of the pile sections is required to prevent excessive bending
stresses developing on subsequent re-driving.
The pile length can be equipped with prefabricated joints. Other splicing
methods commonly adopted include welding of steel end plates or the use of epoxy
mortar with dowels.
Precast concrete piles are commonly manufactured in square and ranging
from about 250 mm to about 450 mm, with a maximum section length of up to
about 20 m. Precast concrete piles are not suitable for soil deposits containing a
significant amount of boulders. In such cases, the pile may be equipped with a pile
shoe, which protects the pile tip during hard driving.

PRACTICE OF PRECAST REINFORCES CONCRETE PILE

This pile usually constructed in a casting yard and transported to the site.
Generally, it is suited to areas loose fill or soft gravels and is quick and economic to
install. Working capacities of up to 400 KN can achieve. It is also relatively low cost,
ease of length variation, and minimal ground vibrations during installation.
Regularly reinforced concreted piles generally develop cracks during handling,
transportation, and or installation which have limited their general use in Malaysia.
The piles have generally been driven with a drop hammer of 3 to 4 tons,
although in recent years, hydraulic hammers have become very common for driving

precast concrete piles. I some countries, diesel hammers and occasionally also
vibrators are used. Maximum allowable axial loads can be up to about 1 000 KN.
The length of pile sections is often dictated by practical considerations including
transportation, handling problems in sites on restricted area and facilities at the
casting yard.

Figure 1.1 shows the precast reinforced concrete pile

2) THEORY OF SPUN PILE

Precast concrete spun pile which also known as hollow core spun pile. The
piles are made by spinning cylindrical moulds filled with fresh concrete; therefore
the produces piles could be very compact. Compared to the other piles type, this
pile required less concrete and therefore it could be very economical.
The piles are easier to handle and drive because of the high strength to the
weight ratio and allow a wider choice of rig and hammer sizes. It is spun accurately
dimensioned steel moulds, which has a smooth dense finish. This allows engineers
to take advantages of the economies of extended pile construction, where strength
and aesthetic are demanded. Therefore, it can be used confidently in all ground
conditions. Besides, these piles have fewer driving problems.

PRACTICE OF SPUN PILE

SITE PREPARATION
1) Piling platform will be leveled prior to piling activities

SETTING OUT
2) Boundary survey shall be carried upon possession of site based on the precomputation plan available. Setting out plan shall be submitted for checking
and approval.

HANDLING, PITCHING, DRIVING AND EXTENSION

3) All handling and lifting will be at the designed lifting points and support
points.
4) Boundary survey shall be carried upon possession of site based on the precomputation plan available. Setting out plan shall be submitted for checking
and approval.
5) During pitching and driving, the vertically of the pile will be continuously
monitored and plumbed to ensure the pile is centrally in line with the pile axis
to receive the hammer to prevent pile whip, twist or rotation.
6) Each pile shall be clearly marked with red ink at 300mm intervals along its
length to enable the driving blows to be recorded at every 300mm depth of
pile penetration.
7) The pile will be extended by butt-welding the steel plates on the pile heads.
On completion of welding, the slag will be chipped off and wire brushed to
receive red-oxide paint.
8) Each pile shall be driven continuously until the specified set and / or depth
has been reached.
A detail record of the driving resistance over the full length of each pile
should be kept.

Figure 1.2 shows the spun pile

3) THEORY OF PRECAST REINFORCES CONCRETE PILE

Cast using low water to cement ratio designed mix with a cube strength of
minimum 50 N/mm and are pre-stressed by a single high tensile strength wire
with a diameter of 5mm, located at the center of the section.
The piles comes in 3 meter segments and can be manually lifted.
The uniqueness of PMI-Piles is:
Noise free
Vibration free
Pollution free
Faster to install
Fully tested with individual piles test loaded
More durable
Less waterful
Cheaper to transport
Installation on PMI piles

Details of PMI

Figure 1.3 shows the details of PMI

PRACTICE OF PRECAST MICRO INJECTION PILE
1) PMI is placed into the injection chamber
2) Hydraulic ram injects first pile section down
3) Hydraulic ram is raised and the chamber door is opened. The second pile is
placed into the injection chamber jointed with sleeve and epoxy, then inject
down by the hydraulic ram.
4) The process is repeated by another extension pile
5) The process stops when pile is carries twice the working load.