Quality Control and Quality
Assurance in Press-in Piling
A press-in piling machine of the Giken type holds onto
already installed piles and repeats the process of
pressing-in some length and extracting less to complete
the installation of a new pile. This repetition is to alleviate
penetration resistance and to reduce the deformation that the
new pile being pressed in experiences. Electronic and hydraulic
control backed up with numerous built-in sensors enables the
piling machine to make precise movements to achieve high quality
pile installation. Figure 1 shows a multi-function monitor,
which a press-in piling machine of this type is equipped with.
While operating, the machine operator can view and verify in real
time the machine’s conditions such as its leveling, press-in force,
extraction force, auger rotation speed, its stroke, etc., on the display
located right on the side of the machine where the operator
normally stands.
QA/QC – PRESS-IN PILING
The press-in piling data collected by the sensors is recorded
in the machine-based memory storage as well as in an onboard
detachable laptop computer. The proprietary software on the laptop
can analyze real-time piling data and produce various graphs
and tables for optimizing piling operations on site or in the back
office after detaching it from the piling machine. Figure 2 shows
two examples of the press-in and extraction force records where
sheet piles were pressed into the same soil. The graph on the left
was recorded with an operator’s (not so good) manual operation
while the other on the right was done with the machine-run automated
operation. As can be easily seen, the automated operation
shows much less press-in/extraction forces exerted with much
smoother overall force distribution, which leads to faster and more
accurate pile installation and less deformation of the pile (highquality
installed pile) with less wear and tear on the piling machine.
All images: Giken America Corp.
By Takefumi Takuma, Giken Ltd., c/o Giken America Corp.
This Multi-Function Monitor displays all information in every press-in mode.
Ultra bright LED lamps are used.
The brightness can be adjusted with spot lamps.
IT Indicator
The status of IT system
is indicated
Figure 1. Multi-function monitor and its display functions
Load Display
Press-in force and extraction
force are indicated
by the LED lamps.
It can be displayed in digital
figure in other display.
Posture lndicator
It indicates the machine
inclination.
It can be displayed in digital
figure in other display.
Auger Stroke lndicator
It indicates the position of
the auger screw up/down
stroke.
Setting Menu lndicator
The item to be set
is indicated.
Digital Display
Selected information
is displayed with digital figures.
Operation lndicator
The status of IT system
is indicated
Mode Display
The selected operation mode
is displayed
Auger Rotation Speed lndicator
The set speeds of normal rotation
and reverse rotation are indicated.
Chuck Up/Down Speed Indicator
The set speeds of Chuck Up/Down
are indicated.
Auger Rotations status indicator
It indicates “Normal Rotation,”
“Reverse Rotation” or “Stop.”
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