Applications and development of modern steel pile technology

Abstract

Use of steel piles in general has continuously increased in the Nordic countries as well as in the harbour structures of the Baltics and Western Europe. The main reasons are the innovative, easy-to-handle but rigid and durable pile joints, application of steel material technology and higher steel strength. The importance of the resistance and stiffness of mechanical joints of slender steel piles is accentuated in soft soil conditions. The wide product range and different installation methods enable versatile applications from lightweight to heavily loaded structures in all soil conditions. In harbour structures bending resistance of the pile is often the dimensioning factor. The latest innovations are the highly rigid retaining wall structure, the RD pile wall installed by drilling in all possible soil conditions and steel piles serving as energy piles that exploit renewable ground source energy both for heating and cooling. There has been wide co-operation in Finland between steel pile manufacturers, contractors, designers, manufacturers of piling equipment, researchers and authorities in developing steel pile technology for almost thirty years.