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Electrical (16000-16999)

604000 JACKING BRIDGE LS

DE · 2025 Standard SpecificationsBook pages 198204View official source ↗

DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 188 SECTION 605 — DRIVEN PILES

605.1Description.

This work consists of providing, installing and dynamically testing foundation piles.

605.2Materials.

A.Reinforcing Steel Section 611 and 1037
B.PCC, Class A Section 1022
C.Steel Shell Piles Section 1032 .3.1
D.Precast, Prestressed Concrete Piles Section 1032 .5
E.Steel H Piles Section 1032 .4
F.Timber Piles Section 1032 .2
G.Metal Sheets Section 1039.9
H.Epoxy Grout Section 1047.4

605.3Construction.

605.3.1 Submittals.

A.Submit working drawings showing:
1.Details of the proposed pile;
2.splice details if proposing an alternate to the contract details;
3.procedures for lifting, transporting, and handling piles; and
4.for precast concrete piles, include details of the reinforcement and prestressing strands; and
5.for cast -in-place piles, include the proposed method of securing the reinforcement bar in

position during concrete placement.

B.Pile Installation Equipment.
1.At least 30 calendar days before driving piles, submit technical specifications for the proposed

pile driving system to the engineer for approval. Use Figure 605.3C -1 DelDOT Pile and Driving Equipment Data Form.

2.Provide the engineer with a chart from the hammer manufacturer, equating stroke and blows

per minute for the hammer in use.

C.Pile Testing Firm.
1.Employ a pile testing firm experienced in high -strain dynamic monitoring of driven piles to

conduct load tests, record all data, and provide test result reports to the engineer.

2.Use a pile testing firm with at least 5 -years of documented experience in performing and

interpreting dynamic pile testing.

3.Ensure that the testing firm's field engineer or technician operating the instrumentation and

collecting the data has documented experience on at least 10 previous projects with similar pile DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 189 requirements and possesses a valid certificate of proficiency issued by the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA).

4.Ensure that the field engineer or technician is capable of understanding and interpreting the

collected data during pile driving.

5.Submit the pile testing firm qualifications for dynamic testing to the engineer for approval with

the wave equation analysis submittal. The engineer will review the firm's qualifications and applicable previous experience on other projects.

D.Wave Equation Analysis Requirements.
1.Use the wave equation analysis to verify the adequacy of each proposed pile driving system. A

registered Delaware professional engineer will sign and seal each analysis. Submit the wave equation analysis to the engineer 30 calendar days before driving t est piles.

2.Include a static soil analysis with the wave equation analysis. If the contractor's static analysis

predicts a need for alternate test pile lengths, clearly indicate the lengths of test piles in the submittal.

3.Use the wave equation analysis to establish the necessary blow counts, stroke heights, pile

cushions, and any other applicable information for use in driving initial test piles to the required bearing resistance and tip elevation.

4.Include computer input and output sheets, and suitable data plots displaying the wave equation

analysis for the pile driving throughout the various subsurface conditions of the site. Show resistance versus blow count, as well as maximum tension and comp ression stresses versus resistance on the plots.

5.Perform a wave equation analysis for each test pile. Evaluate drivability of the pile to various

depths of penetration using the proposed driving system. At a minimum, evaluate the driving conditions for 5 percent penetration, 70 percent penetration, 90 percent penetration, 100 percent penetration, and 110 percent penetration of the pile during initial driving and after set - up condition. Perform additional analysis at depths where the possibility exists of difficult driving or significant changes in driv ability. A value of 100 percent penetration refers to penetration to the plan estimated tip elevation to achieve the designated ultimate resistance. Use the wave equation analysis estimate of tip elevation for the ultimate resistance, if it differs from th e plan estimate by more than 10 percent at 100 percent penetration. Show the driving conditions for plan estimated depth in the analysis, if the chosen wave equation analysis estimate is used for 100 percent penetration.

6.Use the estimated friction and end bearing values obtained by the static soil analysis, along with

soil layer specific quake and damping values and friction parameters for each level of penetration in the drivability analysis. At a minimum, include ulti mate resistances, blow counts, compressive and tensile stresses, and transferred energy plotted as a function of depth of penetration in the analysis output.

7.If the driving equipment consists of a varying energy or varying stroke type hammer, perform an

additional analysis that plots blow count versus stroke and energy for a fixed resistance equal to the ultimate resistance.

8.Select a hammer that drives the pile to its required penetration to achieve required bearing or

minimum tip elevation with a driving resistance not exceeding 120 -blows per 12 -inches. Driving resistance cannot exceed 20 -blows per 1 -inch in the last 6 -inches of penetration. DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 190 9. Select a hammer that drives the pile without exceeding the following permissible stress limits:

a.For steel piles, the maximum permissible compressive or tensile driving stress is 90 percent of

the minimum yield strength of the pile material.

b.For prestressed concrete piles, the environmental exposure level will be as shown in the

contract.

i.For normal exposure, the maximum permissible tensile stress is 3 multiplied by the square

root of the concrete compressive strength, f c ′, plus the effective prestress value, fpe, or 3√fc ′ + fpe, with all units expressed in PSI. ii. For severe exposure, the maximum permissible tensile stress is fpe. iii. For all exposure conditions, the maximum permissible compressive stress is 85 percent of the compressive strength minus the effective prestress value, or 0.85 fc ′ - fpe.

c.For timber piles, the maximum permissible compressive driving stress is 3 times the

permissible static design strength listed in the contract.

E.The engineer will complete the conformance review and comment on the driving system within 14

calendar days of receiving the contractor's Pile and Driving Equipment Data Form and wave equation analysis. Modify or replace the proposed methods or equipmen t for nonconforming analysis. The engineer will complete the conformance review of the revised driving system within 7 calendar days of receipt of a revised Pile and Driving Equipment Data Form and wave equation analysis.

F.If there is a change to the pile driving system, submit the necessary wave equation analysis, drive

additional test piles, and perform dynamic pile testing, as directed by the engineer, before driving any production piles.

G.Post -driving Reporting.
1.Prepare and submit a written report with the results of the test pile program, within 3 working

days of the completion of each dynamic test. Include the following:

a.Meet the requirements of ASTM D4945;
b.summary of the pile driving system used during dynamic testing;
c.summary of dynamic testing instrumentation and methods utilized;
d.performance of the hammer and driving system including:
i.Maximum transferred energy,

ii. blows per minute, and iii. ram stroke;

e.pile integrity:
i.indicate instances of pile overstressing during driving and

ii. indicate instances of pile damage or broken piles;

f.provide the following data for the full length of driving at intervals of no more than 10

hammer blows: DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 191 i. bearing resistance from the case method and 1 additional recognized method, ii. pile penetration depth and corresponding blow sequence, and iii. maximum compressive and tensile driving stresses;

g.detailed results of the signal matching analyses; and
h.driving logs recorded in the field.
2.Perform signal matching analyses for the initial drive and each re -strike of dynamically tested

piles as follows:

a.One for a representative blow near the end of each initial drive.
b.Two representative blows towards the beginning of each re -strike.
c.One additional signal matching analysis at the request of the engineer.

605.3.2 Pile Installation Equipment.

A.Pile Hammers.
1.Use air, steam, diesel, or hydraulic hammers for driving piles.
a.Air and Steam Hammers:

Equip the plant and equipment with easily accessible pressure gauges. Ensure that the weight of the striking parts of air and steam hammers are at least 1/3 the weight of the helmet and pile being driven, but in no case less than 2,750 -pounds.

b.Diesel Hammers

Equip open -end, single -acting diesel hammers with a device to allow the engineer to visually determine hammer stroke at all times during pile driving.

c.Hydraulic Hammers

Equip the power plant and equipment with easily accessible pressure gauges.

B.Hammer Cushion.
1.Provide hammer cushions made of durable manufactured materials, provided in accordance

with the hammer manufacturer's guidelines. Do not use wood, wire rope, or asbestos hammer cushions. Place a striker plate, as recommended by the hammer manufacturer, on the hammer cushion to ensure uniform compression of the cushion material. Remove the hammer cushion from the helmet and inspect in the presence of the engineer when beginning pile driving at each structure, or after each 100 -hours of pile driving, whichever is less. Replace hammer cushions compressed to less than 75 percent of the original thickness before resuming pile driving.

C.Helmet.
1.Piles driven with impact hammers require an adequate helmet or drive head to distribute the

hammer blow to the pile head. Use leads to guide the helmet and prevent it from swinging freely. Use the correct helmet or drive head size to appropriately fit the pile head, to hold the axis of the pile in line with the axis of the hammer, and to prevent eccentric impacts on the pile head.

D.Pile Cushion

DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 192 1. Protect the heads of precast concrete piles with a pile cushion made of plywood, hardwood, or composite plywood and hardwood materials. Ensure the pile cushion dimensions prevent movement within the helmet during driving. Provide pile cushion of the thickn ess specified in the wave equation submittal or as determined from the results of dynamic testing. The engineer will evaluate the use of manufactured pile cushion materials instead of a wood pile cushion on a case -by-case basis.

E.Leads.
1.Use leads to support piles in line and position while driving. Construct pile driver leads to

allow the hammer to move freely while maintaining alignment with the pile to ensure concentric impact for each blow. The contractor may use either fixed or swinging -type leads. When using swinging -type leads, fit a pile gate at the bottom of the leads and, in the case of battered piles, fit a horizontal brace between the crane and the leads, as necessary. Provide leads of su fficient length to raise the hammer into a clear position while placing the pile in the leads and with the leads embedded.

F.Followers.
1.Only use followers when approved in writing by the engineer, or when specifically stated in

the contract. In cases of follower allowance, drive the first pile in each bent, and every tenth pile driven thereafter, full -length without a follower, to determin e adequate pile penetration attainment in order to develop the ultimate pile resistance.

2.Hold and maintain the follower and pile in equal and proper alignment during driving. Use a

follower of the material and dimensions that allows driving the piles to the penetration depth as determined necessary from the driving of the full -length piles. Ve rify the final position and alignment of the first 2 piles installed with followers in each substructure unit, according to the location tolerances specified in Section 605.3.6.A before installing additional piles. 605.3.3 Preparation and Driving of Test Piles.

A.Preparation.
1.Provide equipment and perform testing and reporting procedures in strict accordance with

ASTM D4945 - Standard Test Method for High -Strain Dynamic Testing of Piles.

2.Perform the wave equation analysis based on the procedure outlined in Section 605.3.1.D. Do

not drive test piles prior to approval of the wave equation analysis.

3.Provide test piles in 1 length as indicated in the contract to allow for uninterrupted driving

during dynamic testing, unless otherwise approved by the engineer.

4.Prepare all test piles for instrumentation attachment.
5.Ensure that test piles are the initial piles driven and are the same material and dimensions as

the production piles. Install test piles at the locations indicated in the contract.

B.Driving with Dynamic Load Tests.
1.Drive test piles in accordance with Section 605.3.4 with the following additional procedures.
2.Before installing the dynamic monitoring instrumentation on the pile, including all gauges and

cables, lift the pile and align in the leads, and set the hammer and helmet. Once the pile set and the pile driving system is in place, attach dynamic monitoring instrumentation. DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 193 3. Perform dynamic testing during the entire initial drive and re -strike of all test piles so designated in the contract, or as otherwise directed by the engineer. Continuously monitor the tensile and compressive stresses during driving to prevent exceedin g permissible stress limits during driving. Immediately reduce the hammer stroke or stop the driving operation if stresses in the pile approach, or exceed, the permissible limits. If non -axial driving appears by dynamic test measurements, stop pile driving immediately and realign the driving system, or take other corrective action, before resuming driving.

4.If the top of the pile becomes damaged or deformed at any time during the dynamic pile testing,

stop pile driving and cut off the damaged area in accordance with Section 605.3.4.B. Prepare the remaining pile section for gauge installation. After the eng ineer inspects and approves, continue driving.

5.Drive all dynamically tested piles deep enough to achieve the minimum tip elevation and the

minimum initial driving resistance. Do not exceed the permissible stress limits.

6.Maintain a minimum distance of 1 -foot between the pile monitoring gauges and the ground

surface, water surface, or pile template. If driving and dynamic testing are complete, remove the gauges.

7.If additional ground penetration becomes necessary, stop driving the pile, remove the gauges,

and splice the pile before proceeding. Before splicing, properly prepare the pile splice segment for gauge installation, in accordance with ASTM D4945, and mak e it accessible to the engineer for inspection. After splicing the pile and resetting the hammer and leads, reattach the gauges to the new pile segment and continue the drive.

8.If some length of test pile remains above the cut -off elevation after completing dynamic testing,

do not drive the remainder of the pile without the approval of the engineer.

C.Post -Driving.
1.Following the driving of the test pile or series of initial test piles, as agreed in the approved

sequence of driving, the engineer will review the driving records and make 1 or more of the following requirements:

a.Establish the driving criteria of required blow count, stroke height, and minimum tip elevation

for the driving of production piles based on satisfactory test pile results. The engineer reserves the right to establish or modify the minimum tip elevation for all the piles, depending on the actual conditions encountered.

b.When shown in the contract, issue a list of production pile lengths for fabrication of those

piles governed by the test pile, or group of test piles, within 5 working days after completing test pile driving.

c.Order a test pile re -strike, in accordance with Section 605.3.5, within 2 working days after

completing the initial driving.

d.Order a driving splice on the test pile within 2 working days after unsatisfactory results of the

re-strike. Make the driving splice in accordance with the driving splice details shown in the contract. Upon completion of driving the spliced pile, the engin eer will review the new driving records and make 1 of the above recommendations.

e.Based on satisfactory test pile results, the engineer will accept the test pile for use as a

production pile. DRIVEN PILES SECTION 605 194 f. Approve the driven test pile for load testing when requiring static load testing. The engineer may select 1 of the above requirements before authorizing performance of a load test, or if a load test is unsatisfactory.

g.If the data and information obtained from driving any original test pile is conflicting,

inconclusive, or unsatisfactory in any way, the engineer will order another test pile driven for additional information within 2 working days after receipt of the p ost-driving report.

2.When shown in the contract, perform static load tests on selected test piles. Perform static load

tests in accordance with the procedures specified in ASTM D1143. Upon completion, the engineer will review the load test records and make 1 or more of the requirements in Section 605.3.3.C.1. 605.3.4 Preparation and Driving of Production Piles.

A.Preparation.
1.Clearly mark the pile in 12 -inch increments with markings visible from a safe inspection distance.
2.Provide the engineer with reasonable inspection access along the full length and perimeter of all

piles. Prior to installation, repair or replace piles with damage incurred during shipping, handling, or storage. Piles with any of these defects will caus e rejection by the engineer:

a.Visible cracks or spalls in a concrete pile;
b.a bent, kinked, or distorted steel pile; or
c.damaged timber pile treatment of a timber pile or compromised integrity as outlined in
3.Pile Driving Sequence.
a.Provide the engineer with schedules of the proposed driving sequence. Do not begin driving

test or production piles at any location until the engineer approves the schedule for that location. Do not depart from these schedules without the prior approval of the engineer.

b.Place individual piles in pile groups either starting from the center of the group and

proceeding outwards in both directions, or starting at the outside row and proceeding progressively across the group.

B.Driving.
1.Drive the production piles using the same pile driving system used to drive the test piles. For

changes to the pile driving system, see Section 605.3.1.F.

2.Conduct the pile driving operations in close cooperation with the engineer and in a manner that

allows the engineer to obtain essential measurements and data. The engineer will observe the progress of all pile driving work. The engineer will record a co mplete driving log for each pile driven. The driving log will list all data essential for the determination of correct bearing resistance.

3.Embed the leads in the ground or constrain the pile in a structural frame, such as a template, to

maintain alignment of the pile during driving. Do not apply side pressure to move piles into the correct position for driving.

Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2025 Edition. Pages 198204 of 779.