Over recent weeks and months we have received a number of queries regarding vibrations associated with driven piling.
Our first response is to understand the background to the query and to find out why the issue has been raised. In 9 out of 10 cases we are satisfied that vibration is not a significant issue and we are able to clarify matters for our client.
Vibration is often accepted as a reason for precluding the use of driven piling – even without understanding why vibration is being considered as being a threat. However, not only is the threat of vibration most often overstated, the level of vibration generated from pile driving is also grossly over estimated.
The end result is that Driven Piling is not always considered, resulting in more expensive and more time consuming alternatives (such a CFA piling) are being employed.
The most frustrating aspect of this issue for me is that there is no recorded instance of pile driving ever having caused damage to a structure as a result of ground borne vibration. However, the perceived more sensitive solution of CFA piling has caused significant problems to neighbouring buildings due to ‘flighting’, or removal, of material underneath neighbouring buildings – in recent years I am aware of 3 cases (2 in Waterford and 1 in Drogheda).
Which would you prefer – to generate minor ground vibrations that will not pose a risk to the local environment or risk undermining a neighbouring structure by removing supporting material?
Our first response is to understand the background to the query and to find out why the issue has been raised. In 9 out of 10 cases we are satisfied that vibration is not a significant issue and we are able to clarify matters for our client.
Vibration is often accepted as a reason for precluding the use of driven piling – even without understanding why vibration is being considered as being a threat. However, not only is the threat of vibration most often overstated, the level of vibration generated from pile driving is also grossly over estimated.
The end result is that Driven Piling is not always considered, resulting in more expensive and more time consuming alternatives (such a CFA piling) are being employed.
The most frustrating aspect of this issue for me is that there is no recorded instance of pile driving ever having caused damage to a structure as a result of ground borne vibration. However, the perceived more sensitive solution of CFA piling has caused significant problems to neighbouring buildings due to ‘flighting’, or removal, of material underneath neighbouring buildings – in recent years I am aware of 3 cases (2 in Waterford and 1 in Drogheda).
Which would you prefer – to generate minor ground vibrations that will not pose a risk to the local environment or risk undermining a neighbouring structure by removing supporting material?
