QCS 2014

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PILING WORK ................................................. 2

1.1
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
1.1.5

GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 2
Scope
2
References
2
General Contract Requirements
2
Submittals
3
Records
3

1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2

GROUND CONDITIONS ......................................................................................... 3

Ground Investigation Reports
3
Unexpected Ground Conditions
4

1.3
1.3.1
1.3.2
1.3.3

MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP........................................................................ 4

General
4
Sources of Supply
4
Rejected materials
5

1.4
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
1.4.4
1.4.5
1.4.6

INSTALLATION TOLERANCES .............................................................................. 5

Setting Out
5
Position
6
Verticality
6
Rake
6
Tolerance Variations
6
Forcible Corrections to Pile
6

1.5
1.5.1
1.5.2
1.5.3
1.5.4

NUISANCE AND DAMAGE ..................................................................................... 6

Noise and Disturbance
6
Damage to Adjacent Structures
7
Damage to Piles
7
Temporary Support
7

1.6
1.6.1
1.6.2
1.6.3

SAFETY .................................................................................................................. 7
General
7
Life-Saving Appliances
7
Driving
7

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QCS 2014

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 2

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PILING WORK

1.1

GENERAL

1.1.1

Scope

This Part is concerned with all works associated with installation of piles by any of the
recognised techniques.

1.1.2

References

The following standards and codes of practice are referred to in this Part:

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BS 5228......................Noise control on construction and open sites

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Part I, Code of practice for basic information and procedures for noise
control

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Part IV, Code of practice for noise and vibration control applicable to
piling operations

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BS 8008......................Safety precautions and procedures for the construction and descent of

machine-bored shafts for piling and other purposes

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BS EN 1997................Eurocode 7, Geotechnical Design.

General Contract Requirements

The following matters, where appropriate, are described in the contract specific
documentation for the Works:

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general items related to Works

(i)

Nature of the Works.

(ii)

Classes of loads on piles.

(iii)

Contract drawings.

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(a)

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1.1.3

(b)

(iv)

Other works proceeding at the same time.

(v)

Working area.

(vi)

Order of the Works.

(vii)

Datum.

(viii)

Offices for the Engineer's Representative.

(ix)

Particular facilities and attendance items where not included in this section.

(x)

Details of soil investigation reports.

specific items related to particular type of pile

(i)

Soil sampling, laboratory testing and in-situ soil testing.

(ii)

Designed concrete or grout mixes, grades of concrete or grout, type of cement

and aggregate, grout or concrete admixtures, concreting of piles.

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 3

Grades and types of reinforcement and prestressing tendons.

(iv)

Pile dimensions, length and marking of piles.

(v)

Type and quality of pile shoe/splice.

(vi)

Type and quality of permanent casing.

(vii)

Specified working loads.

(viii)

Sections of proprietary types of pile, grades of steel, minimum length to be

supplied, thickness of circumferential weld reinforcement.

(ix)

Surface preparation, types and thickness of coatings.

(x)

Test piles, driving resistance or dynamic evaluation and penetration.

(xi)

Detailed requirements for driving records.

(xii)

Acceptance criteria for piles under test.

(xiii)

Disposal of cut-off lengths.

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(iii)

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QCS 2014

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(xiv) Preboring.
Submittals

The Contractor shall supply for approval all relevant details of the method of piling and the
plant he proposes to use. Any alternative method to that specified shall be subject to
approval.

The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer on the first day of each week, or at such longer
periods as the Engineer may from time to time direct, a progress report showing the current
rate of progress and progress during the previous period on all important items of each
section of the Works.

The Contractor shall inform the Engineer each day of the intended programme of piling for
the following day and shall give adequate notice of his intention to work outside normal hours
and at weekends.

1.1.5

Records

The Contractor shall keep records, as indicated by an asterisk in Table 1.1, of the installation
of each pile and shall submit two signed copies of these records to the Engineer not later
than noon of the next working day after the pile is installed. The signed records will form a
record of the work. Any unexpected driving or boring conditions shall be noted briefly in the
records.

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1.1.4

1.2

GROUND CONDITIONS

1.2.1

Ground Investigation Reports

Factual information and reports on site investigations for the Works and on the previous
known uses of the Site will be provided by the Engineer where they exist as part of the
specific contract documentation. However, even if a full report is given, including
interpretations, opinions or conclusions, no responsibility is accepted by the Engineer for any
opinions or conclusions which may be given in the reports.

QCS 2014

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 4

Before the start of work the Contractor shall be given a copy of any subsequent information
which may have been obtained relating to the ground conditions and previous uses of the
Site.

1.2.2

Unexpected Ground Conditions

The Contractor shall report immediately to the Engineer any circumstance which indicates
that in the Contractor's opinion the ground conditions differ from those reported in or which
could have been inferred from the site investigation reports or test pile results.

1.3

MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP

1.3.1

General

All materials and workmanship shall be in accordance with the appropriate British Standards,
codes of practice and other approved standards current at the date of tender except where
the requirements of these standards or codes of practice are in conflict with this Section in
which case the requirements of this Section shall take precedence.

1.3.2

Sources of Supply

The sources of supply of materials shall not be changed without prior approval.

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Table 1.1

Driven segmental
concrete piles

Driven cast-in-place
concrete piles

Bored cast-in-place
concrete piles

Continuous flight
auger concrete or
grout piles

Pile type

Nominal cross-sectional dimensions or diameter

Nominal diameter of underream/base

Length of preformed pile

Standing groundwater level from direct observation or given site

investigation data.

Date and time of driving, redriving or boring

Date of concreting

Ground level/sea bed level at pile position at commencement of

installation of pile (commencing surface)

Working elevation of pile driver

Depth from ground level at pile position to pile tip

Tip elevation

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Driven steel, precast

concrete and steel
sheet piles

Records to be Kept (Indicated by an Asterisk)

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Data

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Pile reference number (location)

Bored cast-in-place
concrete piles

Continuous flight
auger concrete or
grout piles

Pile head elevation, as constructed

Pile cut-off elevation

Length of temporary casing

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Length of permanent casing

Type, weight, drop and mechanical condition of hammer and

equivalent information for other equipment

Number and type of packings used and type and condition of

dolly used during driving of the pile

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Set of pile or pile tube in millimetres per 10 blows or number of

blows per 25 mm of penetration

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Data

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Driven cast-in-place
concrete piles

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Driven segmental
concrete piles

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work
Driven steel, precast
concrete and steel
sheet piles

QCS 2014

If required, temporary compression of ground and pile from time

of a marked increase in driving resistance until pile reached its
final level

If required, driving resistance taken at regular intervals over the

last 3 m of driving

Soil samples taken and in-situ tests carried out during pile
installation

Length and details of reinforcements

Concrete mix

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If required, the sets taken at intervals during the last 3 m of

driving

Volume of concrete supplied to pile

obstructions

delays

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All information regarding

interruptions to the work

other

Rejected materials

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1.3.3

and

Rejected materials are to be removed promptly from the Site.

1.4

INSTALLATION TOLERANCES

1.4.1

Setting Out

Setting out of the main grid lines shall be by the Contractor. The installation of marker pins at
pile positions, as required by the Contract, shall be located by the Contractor from the main
grid lines of the proposed structure. Before installation of the pile, the pile position relative to
the main grid lines shall be verified.

QCS 2014

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 6

Position

For a pile cut off at or above ground level the maximum permitted deviation of the pile centre
from the centre-point shown on the drawings shall be 75 mm in any direction. An additional
tolerance for a pile head cut off below ground level will be permitted in accordance with
Clauses 1.4.3 and 1.4.4.

1.4.3

Verticality

At the commencement of installation, the pile, or pile-forming equipment in the case of a

driven pile, or the relevant equipment governing alignment in the case of the bored pile, shall
be made vertical to a tolerance of within 1 in 100. The maximum permitted deviation of the
finished pile from the vertical is 1 in 75.

1.4.4

Rake

As in clause 1.4.3, the pile, or driving or other equipment governing the direction and angle of
rake shall be set to give the correct alignment of the pile to within a tolerance of 1 in 50. The
piling rig shall be set and maintained to attain the required rake. The maximum permitted
deviation of the finished pile from the specified rake is 1 in 25 for piles raking up to 1:6 and 1
in 15 for piles raking more than 1:6.

1.4.5

Tolerance Variations

In exceptional circumstances where these tolerances are difficult to achieve, the tolerances
of Clauses 1.4.2, 1.4.3 and 1.4.4 may be relaxed by the Engineer, subject to consideration of
the implications of such action.

1.4.6

Forcible Corrections to Pile

Forcible corrections to concrete piles to overcome errors of position or alignment shall not be
made. Forcible corrections may be made to other piles only if approved and where the pile
shaft is not fully embedded in the soil.

1.5

NUISANCE AND DAMAGE

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1.4.2

Noise and Disturbance

The Contractor shall carry out the work in such a manner and at such times as to minimise
noise, vibration and other disturbance in order to comply with current environmental
legislation.

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1.5.1

The Contractor shall endeavour to ascertain the nature and levels of noise produced by the
mechanical equipment and plant that will be used. He shall than take steps to reduce either
the level or the annoying characteristics, or both, of the noise. Reference should be made to
BS 5228 Part 1 for prediction of noise level due to different types of mechanical equipment
and plant, and to BS 5228 Part 4 for noise and vibration control techniques applicable to
piling operations.

QCS 2014

Section 04: Foundations and Retaining Structures

Part
01: General Requirements for Piling Work

Page 7

Damage to Adjacent Structures

If in the opinion of the Contractor, damage will be, or is likely to be, caused to mains, services
or adjacent structures, he shall submit to the Engineer his proposals for making
preconstruction surveys, monitoring movements or vibrations, and minimising or avoiding
such damage.

1.5.3

Damage to Piles

The Contractor shall ensure that during the course of the work, displacement or damage
which would impair either performance or durability does not occur to completed piles.

The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer his proposed sequence and timing for driving or
boring piles, having the intent of avoiding damage to adjacent piles.

1.5.4

Temporary Support

The Contractor shall ensure that where required, any permanently free-standing piles are
temporarily braced or stayed immediately after driving to prevent loosening of the piles in the
ground and to ensure that the pile will not be damaged by oscillation, vibration or ground
movement.

1.6

SAFETY

1.6.1

General

A competent person, properly qualified and experienced, should be appointed to supervise

the piling operations. This person should be capable of recognising and assessing any
potential dangers as they arise; e.g., unexpected ground conditions that may require a
change in construction technique, or unusual smells which may indicate the presence of
noxious or dangerous gases.

Safety precautions throughout the piling operations shall comply with BS 8008 and BS EN
1997. Refer Section 1 for general safety standards to be adopted at a construction site.

1.6.2

Life-Saving Appliances

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The Contractor shall provide and maintain on the Site sufficient, proper and efficient lifesaving appliances to the approval of the Engineer. The appliances must be conspicuous and
available for use at all times.

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1.5.2

Site operatives shall be instructed in the use of safety equipment and periodic drills shall be
held to ensure that all necessary procedures can be correctly observed.

1.6.3

Driving

Before any pile driving is started, the Contractor shall supply the Engineer with two copies of
the code of signals to be employed, and shall have a copy of the code prominently displayed
adjacent to the driving control station on the craft, structure or site from which the piles will be
driven.

END OF PART