Silent Piling Technology: Catalyst towards Sustainable Construction

Conventional dynamic piling methods are ill-suited to urban development because of their adverse impacts of deafening noise complemented by their earth shattering vibrations to the environment. Drilled shafts, slurry walls and other cast-inplace foundation or retaining wall systems alleviate some of these problems but supplement additional problems of their own with the usage of large bulky machines, reliance on dusty concrete plants and urban trucking grief Owing to these environmentconcerns by society, many typical construction projects become very complex and sometimes economically unfeasible. This innovative silent piling technology offers an alternative solution to existing disruptive pile installation techniques. Based on then reaction principle of the press-in piling method; pre-fabricated piles are hydraulically jacked-in accurately into the ground with minimum noise and vibration. This technology uses a relatively small and lightweight press-in machine, aptly called the Silent Piler. Principles of press-in piling technique complemented by several successful examples ofsilent piling applications aimed towards a sustainable construction industry in the 21st century are discussed.