Abstract: This invention defines improvements in dynamic force measuring instruments, which allow for the acquisition of data, such as depth driven and force applied, from the driven pile with the sensor being designed to make it easier to place the sensor with respect to the pile to be driven. In particular, the invention comprehends the use of a foil sensor, which is covered with insulation. An inductive belt sensor can be wrapped around the pile anytime during the driving of the pile. The signal from the belt sensor in response to stress in the pile from the pile driver is fed to a computer in the same manner as for the coil. The belt consists of a metallic strip of aluminum or copper or other conductive metallic material covered on both sides and ends by insulation material. At one end of the metallic strip an electric cable is connected which leads through a connector to a computer. The metallic strip picks up the magnetostriction signal, which is proportional to the resistance the pile encounters during driving.

Abstract: This invention defines improvements in dynamic force measuring instruments, which allow for the acquisition of data, such as depth driven and force applied, from the driven pile with the sensor being designed to make it easier to place the sensor with respect to the pile to be driven. In particular, the invention comprehends the use of a foil sensor, which is covered with insulation. An inductive belt sensor can be wrapped around the pile anytime during the driving of the pile. The signal from the belt sensor in response to stress in the pile from the pile driver is fed to a computer in the same manner as for the coil. The belt consists of a metallic strip of aluminum or copper or other conductive metallic material covered on both sides and ends by insulation material. At one end of the metallic strip an electric cable is connected which leads through a connector to a computer. The metallic strip picks up the magnetostriction signal, which is proportional to the resistance the pile encounters during driving.

Abstract: An attenuation circuit for a pile driving force measurement device is disclosed. The attenuation circuit allows for measurements to be made of the force being applied to a driven pile at a reduced voltage compatible with a voltage sensitive measurement device, such as a personal computer. The forces measured create measurable electrical impulses via magnetostriction. The attenuation circuit conditions the measured impulses so that no separate electrical power circuit or battery is required to power the sensor. At the same time the attenuation circuit protects the measurement device from voltages which might be overly high and damage the equipment.

Abstract: A pile bearing capacity determination system which allows the pile driver operator to determine the bearing capacity of a pile while it is being driven without interrupting the driving operation to perform a dead load test. Force sensors are cast in the pile at the head, toe and mid-portion and also an acceleration sensor is cast in the head of the pile. An ultra-fast sensor produces a detailed profile of the force exerted by each hammer blow on the pile. The hammer force at which the pile breaks loose from surrounding soil and begins to move during a hammer blow correlates quite well with bearing capacity of the pile determined by dead load tests. Points on the acceleration curve help verify transition points on the force profile. The force and acceleration curves are indicated simultaneously on an oscilloscope and plotter.

Abstract: A block of cushioning material arranged to be disposed in a cavity within a drive cap of a pile hammer, the drive cap being positioned on the upper end of a pile for impact engagement by the ram with the block of cushioning material during a pile driving operation, the block of cushioning material being of high heat conductivity and arranged in heat transfer relationship with the inner wall of the cavity whereby hysteresis heat generated within the block of cushioning material during impact driving is conducted by the block to the drive cap acting as a heat sink for ultimate radiation of the heat into the ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing steel piling and a machine for driving the same in earthen strata and further teaches fabrication of the steel piling either by a rolling mill or an extrusion machine, said piling being provided with integral portions that are later deformed to produce longitudinally extending ducts that are suitably pierced to jet streams of water carried by the ducts to the opposed sides of a section of piling.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving piles onshore or offshore, including driving a tubular pile within a submersed tubular jacket leg of an offshore structure and field disassembly.The apparatus hammer includes a displaceable ram structure, mounted within a pressurized air-filled housing, which is reciprocated by a pressurized working liquid against a pile-engaging anvil structure, which is in dry contact with a pile inserted within one end of the pressurized housing. The ram structure compresses air within the housing near the end of its firing stroke to preload the anvil structure for better energy transfer to the pile. The ram structure also compresses the air within the housing near the end of its loading stroke to slow the ram structure and permit full charging of working liquid accumulators, which discharge during the firing stroke to maintain working liquid pressure and prevent cavitation.

Abstract: A modular leads frame for a pile driving machine is provided with a plurality of noise abating shield members which surround the driving hammer of the pile driving machine with certain ones thereof being moved with the driving hammer throughout its driving stroke in order to abate the noise resulting from the driving impact of the hammer against the pile.The pile is fed into position by first hoisting the movable shield members and the driving hammer to the top of the leads frame, hoisting the pile to be driven into a vertical position after attaching the pile hoist line to one end of the pile at ground level and thereafter actuating a pile feeder which positions the vertically hoisted pile within the leads frame and in alignment with the driving hammer.

Abstract: What follows is a description of a unique hammer for driving pile members onshore or offshore, an apparatus for driving pile members offshore, and a method of driving a pile member.The hammer includes a displaceable ram structure which is reciprocated by a pressurized working fluid against a pile member-engaging anvil structure. The anvil structure is preloaded by a quantity of fluid compressed by the ram structure in the course of its impact delivering displacement. This preload causes the anvil structure to also be displaced in the impact delivering direction, but at a lower rate than the ram structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the measurement of the driving force used for pile driving and, more specifically, to the use of coils for sensing magnetostrictive effects within the pile which develop when the pile is struck or driven into the ground.