DYWIDAG Ductile Iron Piles used for the First Time in Spain

For the first time in Spain, the ductile iron pile system was used for the foundation of a commercial building in the Catalan town of Abrera in northeastern Spain, replacing drilled piles in the original design. The contractor, Cimar S.L., decided to use ductile iron piles because they were less expensive and faster to install.

The DYWIDAG Ductile Iron Pile System uses special joints to link individual high strength ductile cast iron piles. These joints permit both a quick connection and a high degree of stiffness. The piles are installed in quick succession using a hydraulic hammer. Because the piles are manufactured from spheroidal graphite cast iron, the system is exceptionally strong and offers superior durability over conventional steel piles.

Additional compressive strength is provided by concreting or grouting the borehole, to create a friction bond with the pile.

Ductile iron piles can either be installed as end-bearing piles, which means that they are dry driven and concreted afterwards, or as skin friction piles, with driving and grouting being executed simultaneously. Thus, Ductile Iron Piles can be adjusted to a wide range of different ground conditions.

The piles were driven in two different ways for the new building in Abrera. In the first case, the excavations for the piles already existed and the piles were driven into the boreholes. Subsequently, over lengths were cut and anchor plates were assembled. In the second case, the piles were driven into the ground and excavation around the piles was carried out afterwards.

In total, approximately 3,300m of type 118/7.5 and 118/9.0 DYWIDAG Ductile Iron Piles were installed and grouted to accommodate additional loads. After driving all of the piles, DSC carried out load tests to determine the skin friction load of the piles. The results were very satisfactory: the friction force alone was enough to support the required load. In addition, some of the piles were excavated to test the results of the grouting operation. These tests were also very successful.

The general contractor was very satisfied because construction work was carried out quickly and efficiently.