Installation of prestressed spun high strength concrete piles by hydraulic jacking

Abstract

The technique of hydraulic jacking has been applied to install prestressed spun high strength concrete PHC) piles in Macau. It should be noted that PHC piles are significantly cheaper than steel H-piles of comparable load-carrying capacities. PHC piles also have a lower carbon footprint than steel H-piles. The Macau experience will be presented in detail in this paper to introduce this pile installation technique, and to demonstrate how this technique can reduce material and construction costs, reduce construction time, increase environmental friendliness, improve site quality control and reduce construction risk. The limitations of the technique will also be presented. Moreover, the engineering performance of PHC piles installed by this technique deduced from full-scale maintained pile load tests will be presented. Lastly, the obstacles to the introduction of this cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly pile installation technique to Hong Kong will be discussed.