Pile-Driving Gantry System Debuts in North Carolina

This article describes a novel method of highway assembly gantry system pile driving currently employed for a new 3 mile-long bridge in North Carolina as part of a 15.5 mile program in the state to improve the US 17 expressway. These bridge types are used to traverse wetlands and are designed to minimize the environmental impact of the bridge. The system loads the 38 inches square piles into the hammer and then hydraulic cylinders allow them to be winched into place vertically and drives them into the ground for depths up to 80 feet, given soil conditions as clay and sand. Upon a successful drive, a pre-cast concrete cap is placed upon the pile and the deck itself is then cast in place.