Ground vibration levels due to impact pile driving in sands

Ground vibrations generated from the pile driving process using impact hammers can have adverse effects on adjacent structures. Several factors contribute to the vibration levels, including the soil types, distance from the structures, and energy levels of the hammer. Depending upon the type of structure, regulatory authorities often impose restrictions on the allowable vibration level, typically in terms of peak particle velocity. Only a few methods are available to estimate the ground vibration levels due to pile driving. This paper presents the results of the vibration monitoring during the driving of six 406-mm-diameter, open-ended steel pipe piles and two H-piles (HP 360 x 174) using hydraulic impact hammers in medium dense to very dense, silty sands. Final penetration depths varied from 18 to 21 m. Six geophones were installed at the locations of each pile to monitor the vibration levels. The actual pile driving energy transferred to the pile was monitored using pile driving analyzer (PDA). The relationship between peak particle velocity and scaled distance was developed and compared against the methods available in literature.