Pile driving measurements for assessment of hammer performance and pile adequacy

This paper outlines the application of dynamic pile tests hy Fugro-McClelland for the evaluation of the adequacy of offshore piles. Dynamic pile testing, also often referred to as pile monitoring during driving, has now become an industry accepted procedure for evaluating hammer performance, driving stress and soil resistance during driving (SRD). An overview of the experience gained from a variety of installation conditions in this part of the world, including marine clays, (normally and overconsolidated) sands and rocks (eg limestone) is presented. The final section presents the author’s assessment of future direction in the understanding of SRD in clay soils. It is hoped this “industry” contribution would stimulate further academic focus in the observations and problems encountered.