Ruukki steel piles

Design and installation instructions

These instructions deal with driven and jacked Ruukki RR and RRs piles, shaft grouted driven
RR-CSG piles and drilled RD and RDs piles. They cover all Ruukki steel pile sizes. The instructions
are based on the piling instructions of the Finnish Piling Manual PO-2011 and the Eurocodes system.
The instructions describe the basics of the design and dimensioning of Ruukki steel piles and pile
foundations according to Finnish application of Eurocodes, give recommendations on the selection of
pile type and size and provide advice on the handling and installation, quality control, measurements
and documentation of piling. The instructions include pre-calculated dimensioning tables and design
and implementation examples to facilitate the design and implementation of piling. When Ruukki
piles are used outside Finland, national requirements (implementation and national annexes of
Eurocodes) shall be taken into account in design and execution of piles. Ruukki RR, RRs, RD and
RDs piles have European Technical Approval ETA-12/0526.

Applications:
1 & 2 family houses
s ingle- and multi-storey commercial, office, industrial
and storage buildings
m
 ulti-storey residential buildings
s ports arenas
u nderpinning of foundations
b ridges
p ile slabs and other structures for transport infrastructure
and municipal engineering
n oise barriers and fences
p orts
w ind turbines and other power plants
ETA-12/0526

Ruukki provides its customers with energy-efficient steel solutions for better living, working and moving.

www.ruukki.com/infra

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

CONTENTS

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

1. GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. RUUKKI STEEL PILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Steel grades and standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Small diameter RR and RRs piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.1 Structure, steel grades and identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.2 Pile sections, pipes and splices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.3 Pile shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Large diameter RR piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.1 Structure, dimensions and availability of steel grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.2 Pile shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.5 RD and RDs piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5.1 Structure, dimensions, steel grade selection and identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5.2 Splicing and steel grade selection of RD piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.6 Shaft grouted RR piles (CSG-RR piles) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.7 Bearing plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.8 Pile dimensions and geometrical sectional properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3. DESIGN STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SELECTION AND DESIGN OF PILE TYPE, PILE SIZE AND
PILING CLASS FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5. STRUCTURAL AND GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN OF PILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.1 Limit states of pile foundations to be considered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.2 Design process of a steel pile foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3 Actions and design situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4 Geotechnical investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.5 Dimensioning methods and analyses of geotechnical resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.5.1 Selection of geotechnical dimensioning method for steel piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.5.2 Stiffness of a piled structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.5.3 Resistances determined by stress wave analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.5.4 Resistances determined by dynamic load tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.5.5 Resistances determined by pile driving formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.5.6 Resistances determined on the basis of ground test results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.5.7 Resistances determined by static load tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.6 Geotechnical dimensioning of tension piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.7 Structural resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.7.1 Resistance of RR piles during installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.7.2 Structural resistance during service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.7.3 Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.8 Vertical displacements of pile foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.9 Considering downdrag (negative skin friction) in dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.10 Transversely loaded steel piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.11 Short piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.12 Dimensioning tables for RR and RRs piles, pile sizes RR75 to RR320/12.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.13 Dimensioning tables for RD and RDs piles, RD/RDs90 to RD320/12.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6. DESIGN OF PILE FOUNDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.1 Attachment of piles to superstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.2 Centre-to-centre distances between steel piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.3 Distance between side of pile footing and piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.4 Distances between piles and other structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.5 Pile inclinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
6.6. Allowed positional and angular deviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
6.7 Impact of piling on previously installed piles, other foundation structures and immediate surroundings . . . . . 29

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

7. PILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.1 Material needed for piling: working plan and quality plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Storage, handling, inspection and erection of steel piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Installation of RR piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.1 Piling equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.2 Start of installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.3 Penetration blows and allowed driving stresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.4 Additional installation instructions and splicing of RR75 to RR220 piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.5 Additional instructions for the installation of RR270 to RR1200 piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.6 End of driving of an end-bearing pile with a drop or hydraulic hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.7 End of driving of an end-bearing pile with a hydraulic ram or pneumatic hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.8 Preparation of end-of-driving instructions for large diameter piles in piling classes PTL3 and PTL2 . . .
7.3.9 Final blows on friction piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.10 Project-specific driving instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3.11 Installation of jacked-RR piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4. Installation of RD piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4.1 Piling equipment and drilling methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4.2 Start of installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4.3 Drilling of RD piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4.4 Handling and installation of threaded RD pile sections and threaded sleeves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5 Splicing of steel pipe piles by welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.1 Welding Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.2 Welding quality requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.3 Qualification of Welders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.4 Welding Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.5 Welding Consumables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.6 Welding Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.7 Joint Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.8 Preheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.9 Welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5.10 Inspection of Welded splices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.6 Pile cut-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.7 Pile cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8 Reinforcement and concreting of piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.9 Bearing plate installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.10 Installation of shaft grouted CSG-RR piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.10.1 Installation equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.10.2 Driving of pile into soil and its splicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.10.3 Grout injection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. SUPERVISION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF PILING WORK, MEASUREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1 Supervision and monitoring of piling work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2 Quality control of materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3 Monitoring measurements during installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4 Testing of piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. DOCUMENTATION OF PILING WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2 Piling records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.3 Outcome drawing and other piling documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. WORK SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. END-OF-DRIVING TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2 Drop and hydraulic hammers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2.1 Basics of modelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2.2 Instructions for use of end-of-driving tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.3 Hydraulic rams and pneumatic hammers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.3.1 Principles of modelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.3.2 Instructions for use of end-of-driving graphs and tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix 1. Rk,geo,max values of driven piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix 2. Application of the instructions when using maximum allowed pile loads method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix 3. End-of-driving tables and curves for different pile driving equipment
(can be loaded from www.ruukki.com/infra)
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1. GENERAL

2. RUUKKI STEEL PILES

These instructions deal with driven and jacked Ruukki

RR and RRs piles, shaft grouted driven RR-CSG piles
and drilled RD and RDs piles. They cover all pile sizes
from RR75 to RR/RD1200. The instructions describe the
basics of the design of Ruukki steel piles and provide
advice on their handling and installation, quality control,
measurements and documentation. These instructions
are supplemented by product brochures on RR and
RRs piles and RD piles, which describe the applications,
materials, structures and dimensions of steel piles on a
general level.

2.1 General
Ruukki has CE marking, based on European
Technical Approval (ETA-12/0526), which is the most
comprehensive CE marking to be granted to pile
structures made of structural steel. It covers the entire
pile structure, manifests the requirements and conformity
of the mechanical splices, and establishes that the
product has been manufactured specifically for piling.
The approval covers the steel pipes of the piles, the
steel grades developed for the piles, pile accessories
and engineering work. Ruukki steel piles have received
European Technical Approval ETA-12/0526. The
approval is based on detailed load tests, especially on
splices, continuous quality control during the various
phases of production, and traceability of materials. Use
of Ruukki CE marked piles in a construction project
ensures the durability and performance of foundations.
Tested products guarantee problem-free site installation.

These design and installation instructions are based on

the Finnish Piling Manual PO-2011 (RIL 254-1). These
instructions are used when the site has been designed
according to the Eurocodes system. If the piling of a
site is designed using the maximum allowed pile loads
method, the RR and RD Piling Instructions are followed
in the design of steel piles. The installation, handling and
end-of-driving instructions presented here can be used
where applicable if the site has been designed based on
maximum allowed pile loads.

Also RRs125/6,3 pile (D = 127 mm, t = 6,3 mm)

conforms the requirements of the CE marking and shall
be added to it. VTT statement no VTT-S-08703-13: The
pile size meets the criteria given in ETA-12/0526.

These instructions apply to both individual piles and

pile groups. They can be applied to the design and
implementation of support structures made of Ruukki
steel piles, such as the RD pile wall, various Combi wall
structures, and driven or drilled steel pipe piles used in
other retaining walls.

Internal splices of RR piles are not covered by the CE

marking.
Ruukki steel piles meet the requirements presented in
Piling Manual PO-2011 (RIL 254-2011) for pile materials
and accessories.
Ruukki steel piles have SP Technical Research Institute
of Sweden quality certificate P-mark (0656/94).
2.2 Steel grades and standards
The steel grades and chemical composition and
mechanical properties of Ruukki steel piles are
presented in Table 1.
The availability of steel grades by pile types and
diameter and wall thickness are presented in Secs.

Table 1. Standard steel grades of Ruukki steel piles, against special order, the piles may also be delivered in MH steel
grades according to standard EN10219 or X grades according to API5L.
Steel grade

Carbon
equivalent

Chemical composition, max.

Mechanical properties

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Impact strength
CEV max.

Mn

fy min

fu

A5min

T*)

KV min

[%]

[%]

[%]

[%]

[%]

[MPa]

[MPa]

[%]

[C]

[J]

S355J2H

0.45

0.22

1.6

0.03

0.03

355

470-630

20

-20

27

S440J2H

0.45

0.16

1.6

0.02

0.02

440

490-630

17

-20

27

S550J2H

0.47

0.12

1.9

0.02

0.02

550

605-760

14

-20

27

*) Testing temperature may also be -40 C. Demanded impact energy remains the same.
5

2.3.1 and 2.4.1. Against special order, the piles may also
be delivered in MH steel grades according to standard
EN10219 or X grades according to API5L.

Bearing
plate

The technical delivery terms of the piles comply with

standard SFS-EN10219-1. Dimensions and tolerances
comply with standard SFS-EN 10219-2. Ruukki steel piles
with mechanical splices are manufactured to tolerances
stricter than those of standard SFS EN10219-2. A material
certificate of type 2.2 or 3.1 specified in SFS-EN 10204 is
provided for the pile material.

External
splice

2.3 Small diameter RR and RRs piles

Internal
splice

2.3.1 Structure, steel grades and identification

The structure and members of RR and RRs piles are
shown in Figure 1.
The basic steel grade of RR piles is S440J2H and that of
RRs piles S550J2H. Against special order, the piles may also
be delivered in S420MH and S460MH steel grade. RR270 to
RR320 piles made of steel grade S355J2H are also available.

Rock shoe

Bottom plate

RR and RRs piles have mechanical friction splices and

pile shoes up to pile size RR220/12.5. RR270 and RR320
piles are spliced, if necessary, by welding, and the pile
shoe is attached by welding.

Figure 1. Structure and parts of RR piles, pile sizes

RR75 to RR220.

Ruukki RR small diameter piles are identified by a

marking on the side of the pile. In addition, identification
tape is attached to splices of RR pile sections or next to
them. Pile bundles are delivered with product descriptions
that indicate, besides pile manufacturer and dimensions,
the steel grade of the RR piles.

and pile pipes without external splice sleeves are

presented in Table 2.
All pile sizes RR75 to RR220 made of steel grade
S440J2H can be spliced using external splice sleeves
and pile sizes RR140 to RR220 by separate internal
splices. RRs piles are manufactured in four different sizes:
RRs115/8, RRs125/6.3, RRs140/10 and RRs170/10,
which can be joined by external splice sleeves.

2.3.2 Pile sections, pipes and splices

A pile section consists of a pile pipe and the attached
external splice sleeve. The mill lengths of RR pile sections

Table 2. Mill dimensions of RR and RRs pile sections and pile pipes.
Length of pile section (incl. splice)

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile type

Length of pile section (excl. splice)

12 m

6m

4m

3m

2m

1.5 m

1.2 m

1.0 m

6m

12 m

16 m

RR75
RR90
RR115/6.3
RR115/8
RR140/8
RR140/10
RR170/10
RR170/12.5
RR220/10
RR220/12.5

O
O
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
-

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
-

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
-

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
-

X
X
X
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

O
O
O
O
O
O
O

RRs115/8
RRs125/6.3
RRs140/10
RRs170/10

O
O
X
X

X
X
O
O

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

O
O
O

O
O
O

O
O
O

O
O
O

O
O
O
O

X
X
X
X

O
O
O

X = stock size

O = project-specific size

= not in production
6

2.3.3 Pile shoes

The splices meet the requirements of PO-2011 for

rigid splices and those of the national appendix to Eurocode EN 1993-5: Design of steel structures, Steel piles
(Table 3). Since the splices meet the requirements, pile
splices do not limit the structural capacity of the pile, and
piles can be installed as straight as possible in all soil
conditions.

The mechanically attached pile shoes of RR and

RRs piles, bottom plates and rock shoes, meet the
requirements of PO-2011. The rock shoe dowel is
made of hardened special steel, which ensures good
penetration into bedrock. The foundation engineer
chooses the type of pile shoe according to the
conditions. Use of a rock shoe is always recommended
when piles are driven through to an inclined bedrock
surface or a bedrock surface under thin coarse-grained
or moraine soil layers. Rock shoes make it possible for
piles to penetrate compact or rocky soil layers better and
remain straighter. Ruukki pile shoes are dimensioned
to withstand the stresses from pile installation and use,
provided that the instructions of Sec. 7.3 are observed in
installation.

Table 3. Minimum strength and stiffness requirements of

RR and RRs pile splices

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile type

Tensile
strength
[kN]

RR75

91

RR90

108

RR115/6.3

141

RR115/8

176

RRs115/8

220

RRs125/6.3

197

RR140/8

218

RR140/10

269

RRs140/10

336

RR170/10

328

RRs170/10

410

RR170/12.5

404

RR220/10

434

RR220/12.5

535

Compression
strength

Yield
moment
M

Flexural
stiffness
EI (0.3-0.8 M)

Jacked RR micropiles can be equipped with a special

shoe through which post-grouting can be done after
jacking to improve point, and to some extent, shaft
resistance.
Ppile

Mpile

0.75xEIpile

The shoes used with RR270 to RR320 piles are rock

shoes with hardened rock dowels. Against special order,
the pile tip can be protected by a bottom plate or a rock
shoe different from the standard rock shoe. All shoes of
RR270 to RR320 piles are attached to the pipe pile by
welding. Pipe piles are delivered to site with welded-on
rock shoes.

Figure 2. Large diameter RR pile

The design resistance values of standard rock shoes

for RR270 to RR320 piles are presented in Table 4.
The most important dimensioning factor for rock shoes
are the end blows and/or dynamic load test. Moreover
addition, the installation instructions of Sec. 7.3 must
be followed in installation, especially if the pile tip
encounters a boulder or an inclined bedrock surface.

Table 5. Large diameter RR piles in stock (L=12 m)

Dimensions

RR270 to RR320 rock shoes have the Finnish Transport

Agencys permission for use (565/090/201, 4.10.2011).
With steel grade S440J2H, the calculated resistance of
the rock shoe limits the ultimate geotechnical resistance
Rk;geo of pile size RR320/12.5 to that presented in Table
4 and with steel grade S550J2H and all pile dimensions
RR270 to RR320 to the Rd,L values presented in Table 4.

Rd,L [kN]

RR270

4073

RR320

4777

406 x 12.5

S440J2H (S355J2H)

508 x 12.5

S440J2H (S355J2H)

610 x 12.5

S355J2H

711 x 12.5

S355J2H

813 x 12.5

S355J2H

The main steel grades used for RR large diameter piles

are S355J2H, S440J2H and S550J2H. Against special
order, the piles may also be delivered in MH steel grades
according to standard EN10219 or X grades according
to API5L. Standard dimensions and the availability of
steel grades are presented in Table 6. The diameters
primarily recommended for design are RR400, RR500,
RR600, RR700, RR800, RR900, RR1000 and RR1200.
In the case of end-bearing piles, the recommended
minimum wall thickness to ensure easy installation is 10
mm for piles RR400 to RR800 and 12.5 mm for RR900
to RR1200.

Table 4. Structural resistances of RR270 and RR320

standard rock shoes
Pile

Steel grade

diameter x wall thickness [mm]

2.4.1 Structure, dimensions and availability of

steel grades

Besides the standard dimensions presented in Table

6, RR piles can also be made with other diameters
and customer-specific wall thicknesses selectable at
0.1 mm intervals. The selection of wall thicknesses
and steel grades allows accurate optimisation of
structures. Customer- or project-specific deviations from
standard dimensions require a quite large project, and
optimisation is particularly useful with combi wall or RD
pile wall structures, but also in end-bearing pile projects.

Large diameter RR piles are made of spirally welded

steel pipes. It is possible to manufacture single-section
piles up to 39 metres long. Piles are usually ordered
in specific lengths. The standard stocked sizes are
presented in Table 5.

Ruukki RR large diameter piles are recognised from

a marking on the side. Pile bundles are delivered
with product descriptions that indicate, besides pile
manufacturer and dimensions, the steel grade of the
RR piles.

Rd,L = d
 esign value of ultimate limit state of the structural
resistance of a rock shoe for a centric vertical load at
the installation stage (impact and PDA measurement)

2.4 Large diameter RR piles

Table 6. Standard dimensions and availability of steel grades of large diameter steel pipe piles.
Pile

Diameter

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

[mm]
RR400

406.4

RR450

457.0

RR500

508.0

RR550

559.0

RR600

610.0

RR650

660.0

RR700

711.0

RR750

762.0

RR800

813.0

RR900

914.0

RR1000

1016.0

RR1200

1220.0

Wall thickness [mm]

8

10

12.5

14.2

Steel grades S440J2H, S550J2H and S355J2H

Steel grades S440J2H and S355J2H
8

16

18

20

2.4.2 Pile shoes

application is a combi-wall structure used as a wharf

where the penetration level of the piles is close to
the bottom of the waterway and piles are subject to
considerable horizontal loads. There, rock dowels drilled
through the hollow dowel ensure the stability of the
retaining structure. Rock shoes with a hollow dowel are
also used at sites where piles are subject to tension
forces. A pull anchor can be installed through the hole.
In conditions of no or few stones, where the pile tip is
designed to bear on soil layers, the tip of the pile can be
protected by a so-called reinforced bottom plate. The
recommended solution for such conditions, however, is
to use standard rock shoes with structural steel dowels.

In soil conditions typical of the Nordic countries,

RR large diameter piles are usually equipped with
RR rock shoes. Ruukki standard rock shoes were
granted the Finnish Transport Agencys use permission
(565/090/201, 4 October 2011) and the manufactured
rock shoes are CE marked. Rock shoes are used to
protect the lower end of the pile against installation
stresses, to centre the stresses on the pile tip as evenly
as possible across the pile pipe cross-section, and to
prevent lateral sliding of the pile tip.
There are three types of RR rock shoes (Figure 3). The
most common ones are rock shoes fitted with a structural
steel dowel or a hardened rock dowel. Ruukki also delivers
rock shoes fitted with a hollow dowel, which allows drilling,
for example, a dowel bar to be grouted to bedrock through
the concrete filled hollow dowel of the rock shoe.

Open ended piles are often equipped with a so-called

reinforcement ring to protect the lower end. The
reinforcement ring is usually a 150 to 500 mm wide steel
band welded onto the lower end of the pile. The sheet
thickness of the steel band is usually 10, 15 or 20 mm.
Both reinforcement rings and reinforced bottom plates
are manufactured to the clients project-specific designs.

A rock shoe with a structural steel dowel is used in

conditions where the target level of the piles is within
coarse-grained or moraine soil layers, or in conditions
where the bedrock surface is relatively even and there
are supporting compact soil layers on top of the bedrock.
A rock shoe with a structural steel dowel endures well
penetration to the surface of the bedrock and into it.

Rock shoes are preheated before welding and assembly

welding is carried out by robots. The rock shoes are
numbered to ensure the traceability of the manufacture
and raw-materials of the shoes.
The design resistance values of standard rock shoes for
RR large diameter piles are presented in Table 7. The
most important criterion for rock shoes are the end blows
and/or the dynamic load test. Project specific rock shoes
with different capacities are analyzed numerically by the
requirements of Finnish Transport Agency. Moreover, the
installation instructions of Sec. 7.3 must be followed in
installation, especially if the pile tip encounters a boulder
or an inclined rock surface.

A rock shoe with a hardened rock dowel is used in

conditions where the bedrock surface is inclined or there
are no compact coarse-grained or moraine soil layers
on top of the bedrock or the soil layers are thin and
the pile tip is to be driven to the bedrock surface. Rock
shoes with a hardened rock dowel can prevent lateral
sliding of the pile tip in most conditions.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Rock shoes with a hollow dowel can be used in

conditions where it is desired to ensure the staying in
place of the pile tip by a grouted steel dowels drilled
through the hollow dowel into bedrock. A typical

Rock shoe with structural

steel dowel

At the design stage, however, the maximum impact

resistance of each pile size should be limited to its/the
Rd,L value.

Rock shoe with hardened

steel dowel

Rock shoe with

hollow dowel

Figure 3. Shoe types of large diameter RR piles.

Toe
reinforcement

Table 7. Design values of ultimate limit state of the structural

resistance of a rock shoes for a centric vertical load at the
installation stage (impact and PDA measurement)
Pile

Structural
steel dowel
Rd,L [kN]

Hardened
steel dowel
Rd,L [kN]

Hollow
dowel
Rd,L [kN]

RR400

5033

4982

RR450

6057

6032

RR500

7672

7545

RR550

7994

7940

RR600

9677

9681

RR650

10084

10062

RR700

11993

11605

RR750

12387

12342

RR800

12653

12610

12188

RR900

14910

14887

14512

Welded splice

RR1000

18751

15691

18371

(bevelled ends)

RR1200

19317

19260

Bearing plate
Threaded
pile section
Threaded
splice sleeve

9285
11370

2.5 RD and RDs piles

Bottom plate/
ring bit

2.5.1 Structure, dimensions, steel grade selection

and identification

Figure 4. Structure of RD micropile.

The structure of the RD pile is shown in Figure 4. The

standard steel grade of RD90 to RD220 piles is S440J2H.
The steel grade of RDs piles is S550J2H. Against special
order, the piles may also be delivered in S420MH and
S460MH steel grades. RD270 to RD320 piles made of
S355J2H steel grade are also available. All steel grades
of Ruukki steel pile products can be used as steel grades

of RD400 to RD1200 piles. The pile sizes and availability

of steel grades of RD piles are presented in Table 8.
Dimensions RD400, RD500, RD600, RD700, RD800,
RD900, RD1000 and RD1200 are recommended for RD
large diameter piles.

Table 8. Standard dimensions and availability of steel grades of RD piles.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile
RD90
RD115
RD140
RD170
RD220
RD270
RD320
RD400
RD450
RD500
RD550
RD600
RD650
RD700
RD750
RD800
RD900
RD1000
RD1200

Diameter
[mm]
88.9
114.3
139.7
168.3
219.1
273.0
323.9
406.4
457.0
508.0
559.0
610.0
660.0
711.0
762.0
813.0
914.0
1016.0
1220.0

Wall thickness [mm]

6,3

10

12.5

14.2

Steel grades S440J2H and S550J2H

Steel grades S440J2H, S550J2H and S355J2H
Steel grades S440J2H and S355J2H
10

16

18

20

The piles are delivered either as pile pipes or RD pipe

sections with threaded ends. The lengths of pile pipes
and sections are shown in Table 9. The inside burr of the
longitudinal seam of RD90-RD320 piles can be removed
in individual projects to order. With the most commonly
used pilot bits the removal of the inside burr is usually
not necessary, but the pilot bit should be selected
considering the effect of the burr.

and installation of splices, as well as the dimensions

of threaded sleeves and recommended types and
dimensions of ring bits are presented in Sec. 7.4.4 of these
instructions. The sleeves meet the requirements for rigid
splices of Piling Manual PO-2011 and the National Annex
to Eurocode 1993-5, Design of steel structures, Steel piles
(Table 10). The splice is guaranteed a tensile strength
that is 50% of the compressive strength of the pile if the
handling and installation of the splice are done according to
Secs. 7 and 8. All RD piles may also be spliced by welding.

Ruukki RD piles can be identified by the marking on their

side. Pile bundles are delivered with product descriptions
that indicate, besides pile manufacturer and dimensions,
the steel grade of the RD piles. If these markings are
missing, the pile pipe must not be used in RD piles.

RDs

RD

2.5.2 Splicing and steel grade selection of RD piles

RD-piles are spliced using external threaded sleeves
(t 8mm and D 220mm) (Figure 6) or by welding.
Mechanized welding is used specially in underpinning
projects. When using a DTH hammer, the threads of the
pile pipe and the sleeve are left-handed, but right-handed
when a top hammer is used. Instructions for the handling

Figure 6. Splice sleeves of RD and RDs piles

Table 9 a. and table 9 b. Length range of RD and RDs piles

Pile type

Lenght of pile pipe without threads

1 m 1.2 m 1.5 m 2 m

4m

Pile type

6 m 12 m 12-16 m 16-34 m

Lenght of pile section with threaded ends

1 m 1.2 m 1.5 m 2 m 3 m 4 m 6 m 12 m

RD90

RD115/8

RD115/6.3

RD140/8

RD115/8

RD140/10

RD140-RD320

RD170/10

RD400-RD1200

RD170/12.5

RD220/10

RD220/12.5

RDs90

RDs115/6.3

RDs115/8

RDs115/8

RDs125/6.3

RDs140/8

RDs140-RDs320

RDs140/10

RDs170/10

RDs170/12.5

RDs220/10

RDs220/12.5

X
O
-

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

3m

= stock sizes
= project-specific size
= not available

Figure 5. Structure of large diameter RD piles.

11

Table 10. Strengths of threaded sleeves.

Pile

Tensile strength
[kN]

Tensile
strength [kN]

Pile

RD115/8

590

RDs115/8

750

RD140/8

730

RDs140/8

910

RD140/10

900

RDs140/10

1120

RD170/10

1100

RDs170/10

1370

RD170/12.5

1350

RDs170/12.5

1680

RD220/10

1450

RDs220/10

1810

RD220/12.5

1790

RDs220/12.5

2230

2.6 Shaft grouted RR piles (CSG-RR piles)

Flexural
strength

Bending
stiffness
EI (0.3 0.8 M)

Ppile

Mpile

0.75 x EIpile

Table 11. Diameters of CSG-RR pile collars.

Shaft grouted RR piles are for the most part shaftbearing micropiles where the geotechnical bearing
capacity of the pile shaft is improved by Continuous
Shaft Grouting using cement grout. Shaft grouted piles
are suitable for use in friction soil layers where their
high shaft resistance can be used to shorten pile length
considerably.

Pile size

Shaft grouted RR piles have all the mechanical

components of RR micropiles as well as a so-called
collar. The splice type is the external RR pile splice
sleeve. The length of a pile section is usually 6 metres,
but the other section lengths presented in Table 2 are
also possible. The most common shaft grouted pile
sizes are RR90 to RR140. The standard steel grade
of shaft grouted RR piles is S440J2H. RRs115/8,
RRs125/6.3, RRs140/10 and RRs170/10 pile sections
of steel grade S550J2H may also be used. The pile
structure is shown in Figure 7.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Compression
strength

Pile
Diameter of
diameter standard
d [mm]
collar
[mm]

CSG-RR75

76.1

127.0

CSG-RR90

88.9

139.7

CSG-RR115/6.3 and CSG-RR115/8

114.3

159

CSG-RRs125/6.3

127.0

168.3

CSG-RR140/8 and CSG-RR140/10

139.7

193.7

CSG-RR170/10 and CSG-RR170/12.5

168.3

219.1

Grouting,
pressurised
if necessary

Shaft grouted driven RR piles are equipped either with

a bottom plate or a rock shoe, usually a bottom plate. A
rock shoe is used especially to ensure contact between
the pile tip and bedrock or penetration of compact soil/
fill layers in top soil. The lower end of a shaft grouted
driven RR pile has a collar larger than the pile pipe. The
purpose of the collar is to keep the grouting holes open
during installation and to make a hole larger than the pile
pipe in the ground. A guide device directs the tip of the
pile and protects the collar from possible obstructions.
The length of the guide device is usually 0.5 to 1.0
m. Table 11 shows the diameters of pre-dimensioned
shoe collars. The collar of a pre-dimensioned shoe is
detachable and installed in the shoe at the beginning of
the installation stage. If necessary, the collars and shoes
can be designed case by case. It is recommended that
the outer diameter of the collar is at least 40 mm larger
than the diameter of the pile pipe.

RR pile
section

Splice
Grout mantle

Grouting holes
Collar

Pile toe

Figure 7. Grouted RR pile (CSG-RR pile)

12

2.7 Bearing plates

Table 12. Dimensions of standard bearing plates,

suggested design strengths of bearing plates.

Usually a bearing plate is installed at the upper end of

RR/RRs, RD/RDs and CSG-RR micropiles to transfer
loads from the superstructure to the pile. The bearing
plate is centred on the pile shaft by an internal sleeve,
which serves to keep the bearing plate in place. The
plate of standard bearing plates is made of steel
S355J2. The standard sizes of bearing plates are shown
in Table 12.

Bearing plate
dimensions
[mm x mm x mm]

Pile

Table 12 presents the suggested design strengths

Rd of the bearing plates. It is recommended that the
strength of the bearing plate be verified both as to the
steel structure of the bearing plate and the compressive
strength and punching shear capacity of the concrete on
top of the bearing plate when the design value of load
is about 90 to 100% of the design value of the strength
of the bearing plate and when using concrete strengths
C30/37 to C35/45.
Bearing plates may also be made based on specific
site designs in dimensions and shapes different from
standard bearing plates, for example, with a hole.
2.8 Pile dimensions and geometrical sectional
properties
The dimensions and geometrical sectional properties
of longitudinally welded RR and RD micropiles are
presented in Table 13 and those of spirally welded large
diameter RR and RD piles in Table 14.

Suggested
design
resistance
Rd [kN]

RR75

150 x 150 x 15

380

RR/RD90

150 x 150 x 15

450

RR/RD115/6.3

200 x 200 x 20

780

RR/RD115/8

250 x 250 x 25

910

RRs125/6.3

200 x 200 x 20
250 x 250 x 25

950
1080

RR/RD140/8 and
RR/RD140/10

250 x 250 x 25

1240

RR/RD170/10 and
RR/RD170/12.5

300 x 300 x 30

1810

RR/RD220/10**

300 x 300 x 30

2090

RR/RD220/12.5

300 x 300 x 30

2090

RDs220/12.5

350 x 350 x 35

2700

RR/RD270/10

350 x 350 x 35*

2700

RR/RD270/12.5

350 x 350 x 35*

2700

RR/RD320/10

400 x 400 x 30*

3480

RR/RD320/12.5

400x 400 x 30*

3480

RR/RD270/10 S550J2H

400 x 400 x 30*

2950

RR/RD270/12.5
S550J2H

450 x 450 x 40*

3750

RR/RD320/10 S550J2H

450 x 450 x 40*

4050

RR/RD320/12.5
S550J2H

500 x 500 x 40*

4520

*) Product not in stock

**) P
 ile sizes RR75 to RR220/10 of steel grades S440J2H
and S550J2H with same bearing plates

Table 13. Dimensions and geometrical sectional properties of RR and RD micropiles.

Z = Pile impedance
I = Moment of inertia
Wel = Elastic modulus

A = Area of steel cross-section

Au = Pile surface area
Ab = Area of pile toe

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

D
[mm]

t
[mm]

M
[kg/m]

A
[mm2]

Au
[m2/m]

Ab
[mm2]

Wel
[cm3]

I
[cm4]

Sectional properties incl. corrosion allowances

of 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm

EI
[kNm2]

Z
[kNs/m]

A1,2
[mm2]

A2,0
[cm4]

I1,2
[cm4]

I2,0
[cm4]

EI1,2
[kNm2]

EI2,0
[kNm2]

76.1

6.3

10.8

1382

0.24

4548

22.3

84.8

178

56.1

1099

916

65.0

52.8

137

111

88.9

6.3

12.8

1635

0.28

6207

31.6

140.2

295

66.4

1304

1089

108.4

88.7

228

186

114.3

6.3

16.8

2138

0.36

10261

54.7

312.7

657

86.8

1711

1432

244.5

201.4

514

423

114.3

8.0

21.0

2672

0.36

10261

66.4

379.5

797

108.5

2245

1966

311.3

268.2

654

563

127.0

6.3

18.7

2389

0.40

12667

68.7

436.2

916

96.9

1914

1603

342.3

282.7

719

593

139.7

5.0

16.6

2116

0.44

15328

68.8

480.5

1009

85.9

1594

1251

355.3

275.4

746

578

139.7

8.0

26.0

3310

0.44

15328

103.1

720.3

1513

134.4

2788

2445

595.1

515.2

1250

1082

139.7

10.0

32.0

4075

0.44

15328

123.4

861.9

1810

165.4

3553

3210

736.7

656.8

1547

1379

168.3

10.0

39.0

4973

0.53

22246

185.9

1564.0

3284

201.9

4343

3928

1344.1

1202.7

2823

2526

168.3

12.5

48.0

6118

0.53

22246

222.0

1868.4

3924

248.4

5488

5073

1648.5

1507.1

3462

3165

219.1

10.0

51.6

6569

0.69

37703

328.5

3598.4

7557

266.7

5748

5205

3110.9

2794.7

6533

5869

219.1

12.5

63.7

8113

0.69

37703

396.6

4344.6

9124

329.4

7292

6749

3857.0

3540.9

8100

7436

273.0

10.0

64.9

8262

0.86

58535

524.1

7154.1

15024

335.5

7238

6560

6207.9

5590.9

13037

11741

273.0

12.5

80.3

10230

0.86

58535

637.2

8697.4

18265

415.3

9205

8527

7751.2

7134.2

16278

14982

323.9

10.0

77.4

9861

1.02

82397

750.7

12158.3

25533

400.4

8645

7839

10574.7

9538.5

22207

20031

323.9

12.5

96.0

12229

1.02

82397

916.7

14846.5

31178

496.5

11012

10206

13262.9

12226.7

27852

25676

13

Table 14. Dimensions and geometrical sectional properties of RR and RD large diameter piles
Z = Pile impedance
I = Moment of inertia
Wel = Elastic modulus

A = Area of steel cross-section

Au = Pile surface area
Ab = Area of pile toe

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

D
[mm]

t
M
[mm] [kg/m]

A
Au
[mm2] [m2/m]

Ab
[mm2]

Wel
[cm3]

I
[cm4]

EI
[kNm2]

Sectional properties incl. corrosion allowances

of 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm
Z
[kNs/m]

A1,2
[mm2]

A2,0
[cm4]

I1,2
[cm4]

I2,0
[cm4]

EI1,2
[kNm2]

EI2,0
[kNm2]

406.4

8.0

78.6 10013

1.28

129717

978.0

19873.9

41735

406.5

8485

7472

16738.8

14679.5

35151

30827

406.4

10.0

97.8 12453

1.28

129717

1204.5

24475.8

51399

505.6

10926

9912

21340.7

19281.4

44815

40491

406.4

12.5

121.4 15468

457.0

8.0

88.6

11284

1.28

129717

1477.9

30030.7

63064

628.0

13941

12927

26895.6

24836.3

56481

52156

1.44

164030

1244.9

28446.4

59737

458.2

9566

8426

23984.0

21048.1

50366

44201

457.0

10.0

110.2 14043

1.44

164030

1535.7

35091.3

73692

570.1

12325

11184

30628.9

27693.0

64321

58155

457.0

12.5

137.0 17455

1.44

164030

1888.2

43144.8

90604

708.7

15737

14597

38682.4

35746.5

81233

75068

508.0

8.0

98.6 12566

1.60

202683

1546.5

39280.0

82488

510.2

10656

9387

33145.8

29104.6

69606

61120

508.0

10.0

122.8 15645

1.60

202683

1910.2

48520.2

101893

635.2

13735

12466

42386.1

38344.9

89011

80524

508.0

12.5

152.7 19458

1.60

202683

2352.6

59755.4

125486

790.0

17548

16279

53621.3

49580.1

112605

104118

508.0

14.2

172.9 22029

1.60

202683

2645.6

67198.6

141117

894.4

20118

18849

61064.5

57023.3

128235

119749
108000

559.0

10.0

135.4 17247

1.76

245422

2325.6

65001.1

136502

700.3

15144

13748

56822.5

51428.6

119327

559.0

12.5

168.5 21460

1.76

245422

2868.0

80161.8

168340

871.3

19358

17961

71983.2

66589.3

151165

139837

559.0

14.2

190.8 24303

1.76

245422

3228.3

90230.7

189485

986.7

22201

20804

82052.1

76658.2

172309

160982
106888

610.0

8.0

118.8 15130

1.92

292247

2247.6

68551.4

143958

614.3

12835

11310

57918.1

50898.9

121628

610.0

10.0

148.0 18850

1.92

292247

2781.9

84846.6

178178

765.3

16554

15029

74213.3

67194.1

155848

141108

610.0

12.5

184.2 23464

1.92

292247

3434.6

104754.7

219985

952.7

21169

19644

94121.5

87102.3

197655

182915

610.0

14.2

208.6 26579

1.92

292247

3869.0

118003.9

247808

1079.2

24284

22759

107370.6

100351.4

225478

210738

610.0

16.0

234.4 29858

1.92

292247

4320.7

131781.4

276741

1212.3

27563

26038

121148.2

114129.0

254411

239671

610.0

18.0

262.8 33477

1.92

292247

4812.8

146790.8

308261

1359.2

31182

29657

136157.5

129138.3

285931

271190

660.0

10.0

160.3 20420

2.07

342119

3268.8

107870.5

226528

829.1

17937

16286

94396.3

85495.1

198232

179540

660.0

12.5

199.6 25427

2.07

342119

4039.6

133306.4

279943

1032.4

22944

21293

119832.2

110931.0

251648

232955

660.0

14.2

226.1 28809

2.07

342119

4553.4

150263.1

315552

1169.7

26326

24675

136788.9

127887.6

287257

268564

660.0

16.0

254.1 32370

2.07

342119

5088.5

167921.2

352634

1314.3

29887

28237

154447.0

145545.7

324339

305646

711.0

8.0

138.7 17668

2.23

397035

3070.7

109162.2

229241

717.4

14992

13214

92310.2

81170.3

193851

170458

711.0

10.0

172.9 22023

2.23

397035

3805.9

135301.4

284133

894.2

19347

17568

118449.4

107309.5

248744

225350

711.0

12.5

215.3 27430

2.23

397035

4707.3

167343.2

351421

1113.7

24754

22975

150491.3

139351.4

316032

292638

711.0

14.2

244.0 31085

2.23

397035

5309.0

188735.2

396344

1262.1

28409

26630

171883.3

160743.4

360955

337561

711.0

16.0

274.2 34935

2.23

397035

5936.4

211039.8

443184

1418.4

32259

30480

194187.9

183047.9

407794

384401

711.0

18.0

307.6 39188

2.23

397035

6621.9

235410.0

494361

1591.1

36512

34733

218558.1

207418.2

458972

435578

711.0

20.0

340.8 43417

2.23

397035

7295.4

259350.9

544637

1762.8

40741

38962

242498.9

231359.0

509248

485854

762.0

10.0

185.4 23624

2.39

456037

4383.9

167028.4

350760

959.2

20757

18850

146276.7

132551.0

307181

278357

762.0

12.5

231.0 29432

2.39

456037

5426.0

206731.0

434135

1195.0

26565

24658

185979.3

172253.7

390557

361733

762.0

14.2

261.9 33359

2.39

456037

6122.6

233271.2

489870

1354.4

30492

28585

212519.5

198793.9

446291

417467

762.0

16.0

294.4 37497

2.39

456037

6849.7

260973.3

548044

1522.4

34630

32723

240221.6

226496.0

504465

475642

813.0

8.0

158.8 20232

2.55

519124

4032.0

163900.5

344191

821.4

17171

15136

138689.6

122006.2

291248

256213

813.0

10.0

198.0 25227

2.55

519124

5002.8

203363.9

427064

1024.3

22167

20131

178153.0

161469.6

374121

339086

813.0

12.5

246.8 31436

2.55

519124

6195.8

251860.3

528907

1276.3

28375

26340

226649.4

209966.0

475964

440929

813.0

14.2

279.7 35635

2.55

519124

6994.2

284314.9

597061

1446.8

32575

30539

259103.9

242420.6

544118

509083

813.0

16.0

314.5 40062

2.55

519124

7828.3

318221.7

668266

1626.6

37001

34966

293010.8

276327.4

615323

580288

813.0

18.0

352.9 44956

2.55

519124

8741.7

355350.0

746235

1825.3

41896

39861

330139.1

313455.7

693292

658257

813.0

20.0

391.1 49826

2.55

519124

9641.1

391909.3

823010

2023.0

46765

44730

366698.4

350015.0

770067

735032

914.0

8.0

178.7 22770

2.87

656118

5112.7

233651.4

490668

924.5

19329

17040

197811.3

174074.7

415404

365557

914.0

10.0

222.9 28400

2.87

656118

6349.0

290147.2

609309

1153.1

24959

22670

254307.1

230570.4

534045

484198

914.0

12.5

277.9 35402

2.87

656118

7871.1

359708.4

755388

1437.4

31961

29672

323868.3

300131.7

680124

630277

914.0

14.2

315.1 40141

2.87

656118

8891.6

406344.5

853323

1629.8

36699

34410

370504.4

346767.8

778059

728212

914.0

16.0

354.3 45138

2.87

656118

9959.3

455141.8

955798

1832.7

41697

39408

419301.7

395565.1

880534

830687

914.0

18.0

397.7 50668

2.87

656118

11130.5

508664.8

1068196

2057.2

47226

44937

472824.7

449088.1

992932

943085

914.0

20.0

440.9 56172

2.87

656118

12285.8

561461.2

1179068

2280.7

52731

50441

525621.1

501884.5

1103804

1053957

1016.0

8.0

198.9 25334

3.19

810732

6334.2

321779.8

675738

1028.6

21508

18963

272532.5

239894.6

572318

503779

1016.0

10.0

248.1 31604

3.19

810732

7871.1

399849.7

839684

1283.2

27779

25233

350602.3

317964.5

736265

667725

1016.0

12.5

309.3 39407

3.19

810732

9766.2

496123.1

1041858

1600.0

35582

33036

446875.7

414237.9

938439

869899

1016.0

14.2

350.8 44691

3.19

810732

11038.6

560762.0

1177600

1814.5

40865

38320

511514.6

478876.8

1074181

1005641

1016.0

16.0

394.6 50265

3.19

810732

12371.6

628479.4

1319807

2040.9

46440

43894

579232.0

546594.2

1216387

1147848

1016.0

16.0

394.6 50265

3.19

810732

12371.6

628479.4

1319807

2040.9

46440

43894

579232.0

546594.2

1216387

1147848

1016.0

18.0

443.0 56436

3.19

810732

13835.7

702854.2

1475994

2291.4

52610

50064

653606.9

620969.0

1372574

1304035

1016.0

20.0

491.3 62581

3.19

810732

15282.0

776323.9

1630280

2540.9

58755

56209

727076.6

694438.7

1526861

1458321

1220.0

8.0

239.1 30461

3.83

1168987

9169.5

559341.0

1174616

1236.8

25866

22808

474023.3

417424.5

995449

876591

1220.0

10.0

298.4 38013

3.83

1168987

11405.5

695737.9

1461050

1543.4

33419

30360

610420.2

553821.4

1281883

1163025

1220.0

12.5

372.2 47418

3.83

1168987

14169.3

864326.6

1815086

1925.3

42824

39765

779008.9

722410.0

1635919

1517061

1220.0

14.2

422.3 53791

3.83

1168987

16028.9

977764.6

2053306

2184.0

49197

46139

892446.9

835848.1

1874139

1755281

1220.0

16.0

475.1 60520

3.83

1168987

17980.7

1096821.7

2303325

2457.2

55925

52867

1011504.0

954905.2

2124158

2005301

1220.0

18.0

533.6 67971

3.83

1168987

20128.6

1227843.9

2578472

2759.8

63377

60319

1142526.3

1085927.4

2399305

2280448

1220.0

20.0

591.9 75398

3.83

1168987

22254.8

1357545.0

2850845

3061.3

70803

67745

1272227.4

1215628.5

2671677

2552820

The table shows the pile dimensions of standard products. Other dimensions defined in standard SFS-EN 10219-2 are also available against order.

14

When selecting between RR and RD pile sizes, it should

be noted that the design strength of RD piles bearing
on solid bedrock is typically clearly higher (about 1.2 to
2.0 times) than that of an RR pile of corresponding size.
Owing to the comprehensive pile size range, foundation
structures can always be optimised by using several
(typically two or three) pile sizes at a site.

3. D
 ESIGN STANDARDS AND
IMPLEMENTATION CONTROL
The Eurocode standards are followed in building
construction projects according to the decrees of the
Ministry of the Environment. In civil engineering projects,
the Eurocode standards are applied according to the
instructions of the Finnish Transport Agency. Instructions
of other authorities (such as municipalities/cities) are
observed where necessary.

Installability of piles
RD piles can be installed in all soil conditions. In very
exacting conditions, such as those involving thick fill
layers containing large boulders, the smallest RD piles
(pile sizes around RD90 to RD140) may pose the risk
of slightly higher pile bending in comparison to large
diameter RD piles. If the bedrock surface is particularly
inclined, close to ground level (<3 to 5 m), and in
conditions where there are no supporting friction soil
layers on top of the bedrock surface, an RD pile is a
risk-free solution in terms of support for the lower end of
the pile.

The geotechnical class (GL1, GL2, GL3) of the site is

selected according to PO-2011 and RIL 207 (Application
Eurocode 7). The foundation engineer responsible for
the site determines the geotechnical class.
GL1 sites do not normally require piling. Most soil
conditions and sites belong to geotechnical class GL2.
Owing to the good and versatile properties of steel piles,
they have many applications at geotechnical class GL3
sites.
Piling class (PTL1, PTL2 or PTL3) is determined on the
basis of consequence class (CC1 to CC3, cf. SFS-EN
1990 National Annex) and geotechnical class.

The penetrability of driven RR and RRs piles increases

with increasing pile size. When the amount/size of
stones and boulders in soil and fill layers or the
density or thickness of the soil layer increases, the
risk of deviations in the positions and verticality of
driven piles increases. The risk that piles bend or fail to
reach a load-bearing soil layer also increases. RR large
diameter piles have successfully penetrated rock fills
several metres thick, even ones over 20 metres thick. An
RR170 or RR220 pile is often rigid enough to penetrate
relatively thick layers of rocky fill and moraine all the
way to a bearing basal formation, provided that the size
and amount of stones and boulders is not exceptionally
large. A rock shoe improves the penetrability of a pile.
When building 1 & 2 family houses on thick moraine
soils containing stones it is recommended to use at least
pile size RR115/6.3.

4. R
 ECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE
SELECTION AND DESIGN OF PILE
TYPE, PILE SIZE AND PILING CLASS
FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS
Various applications and advantages of different Ruukki
steel pile types are presented in brochures on Ruukki
RR and RRs piles, Ruukki RD and RDs piles and RD
pile walls.
The selection of a suitable pile type should be based
primarily on soil conditions, but superstructures and
ambient structures also play a major role. Some
instructions and recommendations for the selection of
pile type, pile size and piling class are given below.

Positional and verticality tolerances of piles

When a structure is set strict positional and verticality
tolerances, like, for instance, railway bridges built using
the bridge-moving technique, where a large diameter
pile is attached to the deck and also acts as a column,
the RD pile is the least risky alternative. It is also the
most recommendable alternative for corresponding
building construction projects where the pile also acts
as a column. Strict tolerances may also be required in
foundation underpinning or industrial building projects.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile loads
Ruukki steel piles can be divided according to pile sizes
and applications based on pile loads, for example, as
follows:
RR75RR/RD140/8

1 & 2 family houses and other structures subject to relatively light loads

RR/RD140/8RR/RD270

multi-storey buildings of about 3 to

8 storeys

RR/RD220RR/RD500

heavy multi-storey buildings

(>5 storeys) or industrial building
projects

RR/RD140RR/RD270

pile slab projects

RR/RD220RR/RD400

noise barrier piles

(single pile foundations)

RR/RD500RR/RD1200

bridge and harbour construction and

buildings of more than 10 to 15 storeys

Environmental impacts of piling and nearby structures

The environmental impacts of piling and issues related
to the selection of pile type are discussed in Sec. 6.7 of
these instructions.

15

Selection of piling class

In most projects, the piling class can be either PTL2 or
PTL3. In consequence class CC3 projects related to
geotechnical classes GL2 and GL3, piling class PTL3 is
always required.

1) S
 election of pile type suitable for the site:
soil conditions; pile drivability/installability and
functioning of the pile foundation
loads from the superstructure and actions due to
ground displacement
structures and conditions in the piling area and its
surroundings

Piling class PTL2 is recommended for 1 & 2 family

house projects to ensure correct pile loads and
geotechnical resistance. PTL3 may be applicable to
these projects if the soil conditions are exceptional
and/or the number of piles is large (a project involving
several 1 & 2 family houses).

2) S
 election of piling class PTL1 to 3 based on
geotechnical class (GL1 to 3) and consequence
class (CC1 to CC3)
3) Determination of the geotechnical resistance of piles
Rd,geo according to Sec. 5.5
With RR75 to RR320 end-bearing piles, apply Table
22, end-of-driving instructions, and with PTL3 also
dynamic load tests
With RD piles, geotechnical resistance is usually
not a dimensioning factor
RR large diameter piles, dynamic load tests
stiffness of structure (non-stiff or stiff structure)

PTL3 should be considered with RR and RRs piles,

when the number of piles is at least moderate and it
is desired to minimise the environmental impacts of
the piling. Then, the number of piles can be reduced
due to the higher design value of pile strength by a
maximum of 15 to 20% compared to PTL2. With large
diameter piles, load-bearing capacity must always be
ensured by dynamic load tests. In their case it is often
recommendable to choose piling class PTL3 to optimise
the structures.

4) Determination of the design value Rd,str of structural

resistance of piles according to Sec. 5.7
determination of corrosion allowance
RR75 to RR320 and RD90 to RD320 normal cases,
Tables 22 and 23
Ruukki dimensioning program for RR and RD piles
(http://software.ruukki.com)
End-of-driving instructions (Sec. 11) are observed
with driven piles to ensure that impact stresses stay
within allowed limits
The structural resistance of rock shoes for RR270
to RR1200 piles (Tables 4 and 7) may determine
the maximum impact and structural resistance

With RD piles, the lowest piling class allowed by

the consequence class and geotechnical class is
recommended.
Considering installation equipment in design and
selection of pile size
RR/RRs piles can be installed using light basic
equipment (<20 to 25 t) up to a pile size of about RR170,
and RD/ RDs piles up to about RD270 to RD320. Light
basic equipment allows using essentially thinner piling
platforms, especially in very soft subsoils, compared to
heavy (>40 to 60 t) piling equipment. The environmental
impacts of light installation equipment (mainly vibration)
also remain low.

5) Determining the design value for resistance

to an action
The design value of resistance Rd is the smaller of
geotechnical Rd,geo and structural resistance Rd,str

5. S
 TRUCTURAL AND GEOTECHNICAL
DESIGN OF PILES

6) C
 alculation of pile foundation displacements,
if necessary (Sec. 5.8)
V
 ertical displacement of an individual pile and
displacements of pile groups

5.1 Limit states of pile foundations to be considered

7) Assessment of and preparation for environmental

impacts of piling
a
 ssessment of vibration, soil displacement,
increase in pore water pressure and compaction of
subsoil due to piling
p
 reparation for environmental impacts
selection of pile type
piling sequence
monitoring measurements
special measures

The limit states specified in PO-2011, Sec. 4.1, should

be considered in the design of a pile foundation,
considering the properties of the site.

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5.2 Design process of a steel pile foundation

At conventional sites, where the piles are mainly subject
to axial loading, the design of a steel pile foundation
includes:

16

information. Valid guidelines of the Finnish Transport

Agency are observed in infrastructure construction.
Geotechnical investigations must be complemented with
sufficiently extensive investigations of nearby structures
(ducts, pipes, cables, underground structures, etc.), their
location and condition, foundation methods, as well as
sensitivity to displacement and vibration.

8) Structural design of a pile foundation

Pile foundations are always designed together with
the structures to be supported on it, which allows
selecting the most suitable shape, dimensions
and stiffness for the entire structure. Things to
be considered in the structural design of the pile
foundation include
joints between piles and superstructure
determination of positional and verticality
tolerances on the basis of pile type, soil
conditions and superstructure

 elevation of pile group foundation
centre-to-centre pile spacing
pile inclinations
distances of piles to nearby structures
distance from side of the foundation to side of
the pile
other structural aspects to be considered

Geotechnical information and its assessment are

presented in the ground investigation report according to
PO-2011, Ch 1, Sec. 3.3. The ground investigation report
should indicate the following points most essential for
the design and dimensioning of steel piles:
the characteristic value of the undrained shear
strength of soil used in dimensioning by soil
layers, if necessary, and/or with the site divided
into different zones if the site is large and/or the
undrained shear strength of soil varies considerably
c orrosion allowance used in dimensioning
estimated pile length and basis of estimate
e
 stimate of subsoil properties affecting piling,
such as the quality, stoniness and thickness of
fills, dense/stony intermediate layers, density and
stoniness of moraine, inclination of bedrock surface
shoe type of driven pile used at site
e
 stimate of the occurrence of downdrag (negative
skin friction) and determination of the design value
of downdrag for different pile dimensions and
different areas of the site, if necessary

9) Foundation engineering print-outs

Building specification (work schedule)
soil conditions
geotechnical works
- Work stages prior to piling and measures
affecting the work phases, piling platforms,
excavations, etc.
- Site-specific instructions related to piling, such
as instructions for installation, piling sequence,
quality control measurements, special measures

Foundation structures
Pile foundation drawings
Geotechnical and structural dimensioning calculations
normally dimensioning calculations for the
structure of an axially loaded pile can be made
and printed out easily using the Ruukki pile
dimensioning program for RR and RD piles
As-built drawing

Depending on the site, the following may also be needed:

a
 xial spring constant of pile for service state
displacement analysis (see Sec. 5.8), is in principle
always required in PTL3 but also in PTL2 in the
case of long piles
g
 eotechnical parameters of soil layers to determine
extreme values of modulus of subgrade reaction
and lateral resistance, when piles are subject to a
horizontal load and/or moment.

5.3 Actions and design situations

5.5 Dimensioning methods and analyses of

geotechnical resistance

The design actions of loads must correspond to those

specified in standard SFS-EN 1991 and the national
annex to it. They are included in publication RIL 201-12008 with their application instructions. Actions caused
by subsoil displacement, such as downdrag (negative
skin friction), are treated in dimensioning as permanent
actions on the pile (for more details, see 5.9).

5.5.1 Selection of geotechnical dimensioning method

for steel piles
The geotechnical compressive strength of steel piles can
be determined according to PO-2011 in several ways,
whose applicability is shown in Table 15.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

5.4 Geotechnical investigations

5.5.2 Stiffness of a piled structure

Geotechnical investigations for the design of steel piles

are generally regulated by the Finnish Building Code and
Eurocodes SFS-EN 1997-1 and SFS-EN 1997-2. PO2011 presents the general requirements for geotechnical
investigations in building construction, requirements and
recommendations for different geotechnical classes and
foundation underpinning sites, as well as requirements
and instructions for the presentation of geotechnical

The stiffness of a piled structure is taken into account

in building construction projects according to the
instructions of PO-2011 and in civil engineering projects
according to those of NCCI7. The correlation coefficients
presented in these instructions and the design values
based on them assume that the structures are not socalled rigid structures.
17

based on ground test results

end-of-driving criterias/
measurements based on pile
driving formulas

end-of-driving instructions
based on stress wave
analysis

based on the behaviour of

a corresponding foundation

RR small diameter piles/end-bearing piles PTL12

XX

XX

XXX

RR small diameter piles/end-bearing piles PTL3

XXX

XX

XX

RR large diameter piles/end-bearing piles

XXX

XX

XX

RR small diameter piles/friction piles

XX

XXX

XX

XX

XX

RR large diameter piles/friction piles

XXX

XX

XX

XX

static load test

dynamic load test

Table 15. Suitability of geotechnical dimensioning methods for different steel pile types.

Pile

CSG-RR piles/friction piles

XXX

XX

XX

Jacked RR-piles

XXX

XX

XX

XXX*

xxx

xx

RD piles
Tension piles

XXX = preferred method

XX = applicable
X = possible, applicability to be assessed case by case
-
= technically infeasible or uneconomical
XXX* = RD piles feasible assuming that the bedrock surface has been reliably established or
that the bearing capacity of RD piles based on skin friction is determined by calculations

5.5.3 R
 esistances determined by stress wave analysis

5.5.4 Resistances determined by dynamic load tests

Determining end-of-driving criterias by stress wave

analysis is the preferred method for driven RR75 to
RR320 piles in piling classes PTL1 and PTL2.

Resistances determined by dynamic load tests are

suitable for friction and end-bearing piles at pile sizes
RR75 to RR1200 in all piling classes. Dynamic load tests
must always be used at building construction sites where
driven piles are used and the piling class is PTL3. In
the case of large diameter piles, dynamic load tests are
always recommended even with PTL2.

Sec. 11 of these instructions and Appendix 3 present

end-of-driving criterias for different pile driving
equipments, piles and pile lengths (10, 20 and 30 m)
based on the one-dimensional stress wave theory using
the GRLWEAP program. Correlation factor 5 is 1.47
(1.40 x 1.05) according to PO-2011, Sec. 4.5.2.6. The
end-of-driving tables present the targeted geotechnical
ultimate resistance at different piling class, design
values of geotechnical resistance Rd corresponding to
the ultimate resistance, and end-of-driving criterias for
each pile driving equipment/pile combination. The design
value Rd is obtained as follows:

Correlation coefficients and related model coefficients

are presented in PO-2011. The Ruukki dimensioning
program for RR and RD piles calculates correlation
coefficients automatically on the basis of input data.
Dimensioning based on dynamic load tests can in
principle be performed in two different ways.
1) The design value of geotechnical resistance Rd is
selected on the basis of piling class from Table 22,
and is used to calculate the minimum and average
targets for dynamic load tests.

Rd = Rk,geo/(5 x gt) = Rk,geo/(1.47 x 1.20) = Rk,geo/1.764 (1)

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

The Rd values presented in the end-of-driving conditions

and Table 22 can be used directly in design for piling class
PTL1 and PTL2, and the geotechnical resistance of the
pile is ensured when the end-of-driving criterias are met.

2) The ultimate geotechnical resistance of the pile type

in question reliably achievable in the soil conditions
of the site is assessed considering the highest
allowable impact resistance of the piling class
(Appendix 1), and the design value of geotechnical
compressive resistance is calculated on the basis of
this assessment and dynamic load tests.

In Table 22 the design values of geotechnical resistance

for PTL3 are calculated according to Formula (1). The
design values can be used as input values for design,
and geotechnical resistance must be ensured by
dynamic load tests.
18

5.5.5 Resistances determined by pile driving formulas

5.5.6.2 G
 eotechnical resistance of grouted CSG-RR
piles bearing on a soil layer

Pile driving formulas can be used in piling class PTL1 or

PTL2, for example, in situations where, according to the endof-driving table, the used pile driver is not able to mobilise
sufficient ultimate geotechnical resistance and geotechnical
resistance is ensured by a separate test loading hammer
without a dynamic load test. The pile driving formulas are
used according to PO-2011, Ch. 1, Sec. 4.5.2.5.

The dimensioning geotechnical diameter of shaft

grouted piles (dd) may be larger than the diameter of the
collar (d0) used with the pile. The increase in diameter
is caused by the pressurising effect of grout with this
installation method, which makes the grout both displace
and mix with the soil layers surrounding the pile.

5.5.6 Resistances determined on the basis of ground

test results

The dimensioning geotechnical diameter can be

determined, for example, by measurements on a test
pile or by using information on shaft grouted micropiles
in corresponding soil conditions. The magnitude of
the dimensioning diameter can be evaluated using
Formula 2.

Geotechnical resistance is determined on the basis of ground

test results according to PO-2011, Ch. 1, Sec. 4.5.2.3. It is
recommended that the so-called alternative method is
used in design, where a model factor of 1.6 is used for
end-bearing and friction piles and 1.95 for cohesion piles in
long-term loading and 1.40 in short-term loading.

dd = a d0 (2)
where dd is the dimensioning geotechnical diameter;
a is the coefficient that depends on soil type, grout
pressure, etc. and
d0 is the diameter of the collar used with the pile in
question

As concerns steel piles, the capacity of both smooth and

grouted friction piles can be determined on the basis of
ground investigation results, but it is recommended that
the capacity is also determined by static or dynamic load
tests. This method is highly suitable for calculating the
geotechnical compressive strength of foundation piles of
lightweight noise barriers.

The coefficient can vary with different soil types as follows:

clay a = 1.0
silt a = 1.0 to 1.1
sand, gravel a = 1.1 to 1.2
moraine a = 1.0 to 1.2

The point and shaft resistance of piles can be estimated

either on the basis of the angle of friction or cohesion of soil or
directly based on sounding resistance according to PO-2011.

With shaft grouted CSG-RR piles the shaft resistance

factors of Table 16 can be used as shaft resistance
factor Kstana, and the dimensioning of point resistance
is the same as with non-grouted piles. Values based on
sounding resistance may also be used to evaluate shaft
and point resistance, see PO-2011, Ch. 1, Tables 4.6
and 4.8.

5.5.6.1 Special features of the geotechnical resistance of

open ended steel pipe piles
In preliminary analyses of open ended steel piles with
point reinforcement ring (a steel collar over the shaft),
external shaft resistance can be estimated to decrease
by 50% in a dense coarse-grained soil layer or moraine
layer, and 25% in a loose layer compared to the table
values presented in PO-2011 or static capacity formulas.
Point resistance increases with increasing pile-point area.

5.5.6.3 G
 eotechnical resistance of RD piles drilled into
bedrock
The point resistance of a pile bearing on solid Finnish
bedrock is usually not a dimensioning factor, but
resistance is determined on the basis of the structural
resistance of the pile.

If no plugging occurs in the pile, internal shaft resistance

can be assumed to be half of external shaft resistance in
preliminary analyses. However, the capacity consisting of
internal shaft resistance and point resistance of the area
of the steel cross-section of the pile must not exceed the
capacity of a plugged pile of corresponding size due to
point resistance.

The tip of the pile is assumed to bear on bedrock when

both drilling observations and geotechnical investigations
confirm it.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Table 16. Shaft resistance factor Kstana for grouted piles in coarse-grained soil types.
Internal angle of friction of soil [o]

Kstana

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

42

1.2

1.3

1.5

1.7

2.1

2.5

2.9

3.4

19

The quality of the rock contact of RD piles is ensured

by drilling the pile at least 3xD deep, but no less than
0.5 m, in solid bedrock. With larger drilled piles, over
300 mm in diameter, 3xD can be considered a safe
drilling depth into bedrock, but drilling the pile more than
1.5 m into bedrock is usually not practical in Finland.
In bridge projects of the Finnish Transport Agency,
the dimensioning and implementation instructions
of the publication Sillan geotekninen suunnittelu
(Geotechnical design of a bridge) for joint stiffness and
drilling depth of RD piles into bedrock are followed.

5.5.7 Resistances determined by static load tests

Drilling piles more than 1.5 m into solid bedrock may be

appropriate, for instance, when excavation or blasting
takes place after installation of piles in their immediate
vicinity. Three metres below the excavation level can
be considered a safe target level for piles in bedrock in
the case of conventional blasting. If the target level is
3 metres higher than above, the properties of the rock
and its breaking during blasting must be considered
carefully in the planning and execution of the work.

5.6 Geotechnical dimensioning of tension piles

Static load tests are used mainly in the geotechnical

dimensioning of shaft grouted CSG-RR piles, jacked RRpiles and tension piles. In rapid load tests, the correlation
coefficients of PO-2011, Ch. 1, Tables 4.1 and 4.2 are
multiplied by 1.2. Even in rapid loading, the displacement
during the load step of the highest load must be
monitored for at least 5 minutes. The rate of settlement
during the last 5 minutes of the monitoring period must
be less than half of that of the first 5 minutes.

The geotechnical dimensioning of tension piles is carried

out according to PO-2011, Sec. 4.5.3.
If mechanical splices are used in pile splicing, the
design value of tensile strength must be limited to that
of the splice, which in the case of driven RR piles is
15% of compressive strength and with RD piles 50% of
compressive strength.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

The rock contact of the tip of RD piles installed by the

concentric drilling method remains after rock penetration.
When the RD pile is filled completely or partly with
grouting mortar or concrete, loads from the pile to the
bedrock are transmitted across the entire area of the pile
bottom.

In the case of RD piles with conventional casing shoes

and ring bits, the grouting mortar or concrete possibly
penetrating between the hole in the bedrock and the pile
pipe after concreting cannot be taken into account in
dimensioning without a closer analysis.

In fragmented bedrock piles are drilled deeper all

the way to solid bedrock, or the rock is grouted or
geotechnical resistance is evaluated case by case.
Geotechnical resistance can be determined by
calculations if the strength properties of the fragmented
rock can be estimated or determined reliably enough.

If anchors are used with the piles, the entire tensile force
on the pile must be taken by the anchor.

The contact of RD piles with rock after the end of drilling

is ensured by applying final or control blows by a drill
hammer to the top of each pile.

The structural resistance of driven piles in different piling

classes must be limited according to PO-2011 as follows:

5.7 Structural resistance

5.7.1 Resistance of RR piles during installation

Table 17. Maximum characteristic value of geotechnical

resistance for driven piles and maximum centric impact
force.

The shaft resistance of a pile in bedrock can be made

use of in geotechnical dimensioning of RD piles. It can
be used, for example, if the pile bears on a weakness
zone in bedrock or is subject to tensile loads. With
vertically loaded RD piles dimensioned to be shaftbearing, the distance between the hole in the rock and
the reinforcement must be at least 15 mm. The shaft
resistance of RD piles in bedrock can be utilised, for
example, by drilling the RD pile first to the surface of
bedrock, and then continuing to drill with a smaller drill
bit deeper into bedrock. The drill hole is flushed clean,
filled with concrete, grouting mortar or injection grout,
and then a steel pipe equipped with centralisers,
at least 30 mm smaller in outer diameter than the
diameter of the hole in the bedrock, is installed in
the hole. The bond stress values between steel and
grouting mortar and grouting mortar and rock are
presented in PO2011, Ch. 1, Table 4.9.

Maximum allowed centric

impact force causing
compression stress during
installation*
Nimpact (-)

Maximum characteristic
value of resistance
Rk,geo,max

PTL3: Rk,geo,max Nimpact(-)

0.9 fyk As

PTL2: Rk,geo,max 0.8 Nimpact(-)

PTL1: Rk,geo,max 0.6 Nimpact(-)

*when stresses/impact force are measured during driving,

the above stress level cannot be exceeded by more than 20%
(impact stress 1.08 x fy) (EN 12699).

20

Appendix 1 presents the maximum resistance Rk,geo,max

values during driving for all RR piles in various piling
classes.

If the straightness of the pile is measured, for example,

with a torch or an inclinometer, the radius of curvature
determined on the basis of the measurements can be
used in design. The Ruukki dimensioning program for
RR and RD piles can be used for easy calculation of
the radius of curvature used in the dimensioning of a
pile. The calculated radius of curvature depends on the
critical unbraced length, which, in turn, depends on the
stiffness of the pile, the modulus of subgrade reaction
and effective width of the pile.

5.7.2 Structural resistance during service

The structural resistance of a pile is verified in terms of
both pile structure and soil failure according to Piling
Manual PO-2011.
The compressive resistance of piles against buckling
is determined in conditions where piles may buckle
due to the lack of sufficient lateral support. The lateral
support of soil is usually not utilised if the shear strength
of the organic soil layer around the pile is less than
5 kN/m2. Then, the pile is dimensioned as a column and
the unbraced length is determined on the basis of soil
conditions and the structural joint between the upper and
lower ends of the pile.

According to PO-2011 and in the Ruukki dimensioning

program for RR and RD piles, the partial safety factor
for strength of soil is applied to the ultimate stress limit of
lateral resistance at the end of the calculation.
Steel cross-section classes are taken into account according
to EN 1993-1-1 and EN 1994-1-1 in the calculation of the
ultimate bending moment capacity of the pile structure.
With CSG-RR piles, the effective width of the pile is
based on the width of the collar. An external grout mantle
is not taken into account in determining the ultimate
bending moment capacity of the structure.

The ultimate buckling resistance of an axially loaded

pile is calculated by the method presented in PO-2011,
Sec. 4.7.5, where the pile is assumed to be surrounded
by a fine-grained soil layer over its entire unbraced
length. A constant spring value is used for subsoil
along the entire unbraced length in dimensioning. In a
coarse-grained soil layer, the above calculation method
can be utilised by estimating the unbraced length and
using, for example, a conservative spring value for
frictional soil along the entire unbraced length.

If a pile is loaded by an external bending moment and/

or a torque and/or a shear force, besides a normal force,
the pile or the part of it subject to the stress in question
must be dimensioned for the combined stresses.
Secs. 5.12 and 5.13 of these instructions present precalculated dimensioning values for structural resistance
at corrosion allowances of 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm.

Initial deflection after installation prior to loading is taken

into account in buckling analyses of axially loaded piles.
At the design stage, values Lcr/200 to Lcr/800 of the
table can be used as the value of the geometric initial
deflection of a pile. The values of the greater divisor of
the table, that is, the larger radius of curvature, can be
used when the installation conditions are expected to be
easy, and the smaller radius of curvature values when
the installation conditions are expected to be difficult.
The value recommended for a spliced pile is used only
if the splice is located along the unbraced length Lcr in a
soft soil layer.

5.7.3 Corrosion
The average corrosion rate of unprotected steel piles in
normal conditions underground can be assumed to be
at least 1.2 mm in a hundred years in the case of the
external surfaces susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion of
the inner surfaces of steel pipe piles with a closed lower
end or ones filled with concrete can be ignored.
Corrosion rate depends on ambient conditions. Table
19 presents some indicative values for average
surface corrosion of steel piles in some conditions. The
recommendations of the table were originally presented in
standard SFS-EN 1993-5.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Table 18. Initial deflection values used with Ruukki steel

piles in design.

Initial deflection g [m],

RR-RRs piles and
CSG-RR piles
Initial deflection g [m],
RD and RDs piles

Unspliced
pile

Spliced
pile

Lcr/300Lcr/600

Lcr/200Lcr/400

Lcr/500Lcr/800

Lcr/300Lcr/600

Alternatively, the corrosion rate of piles not filled with

concrete can in certain normal conditions be estimated on
the basis of the values presented in Table 20. The table is
based on statistical processing of corrosion observations,
where the risk related to conditions is taken into account
by using the so-called pit corrosion factor and possible
internal corrosion by theoretical calculations.
If soil conditions prove unusual, Table 19 can be applied
where applicable.
21

Table 19. Average surface corrosion [mm] of unprotected steel piles in soil above and below ground water level.
Target service life

5 years

25 years

50 years

75 years

100 years

0.00

0.30

0.60

0.90

1.20

0.18

0.70

1.20

1.70

2.20

0.15
0.20
0.50

0.75
1.00
2.00

1.50
1.75
3.25

2.25
2.50
4.50

3.00
3.25
5.75

Normal conditions
Undisturbed natural soils (sand, silt, clay, )
Non-compacted, non-aggressive mineral soil fills
(clay, sand, silt, )
Exceptional or aggressive conditions
Contaminated natural soils and soils in industrial areas
Aggressive natural soils (swamp, marsh, peat, )
Non-compacted aggressive fills (ash, slag, )

Note: Corrosion rates are lower in compacted than in non-compacted fills. In the case of compacted fills, the values for
non-compacted fills can be divided by two.
The values are indicative. Local conditions must be taken into account.
The values for a service life of 5 and 25 years are based on measurements, other values have been extrapolated.
Corrosion in air in one hundred years: 1 mm in normal climate and 2 mm near the sea.

Table 20. Dimensioning corrosion of unconcreted micropiles in 100 years in different conditions.*
Conditions

Corrosion in 100 years [mm]

Homogeneous natural soil conditions above and below ground water level

1.2

Compacted mineral soil fills above and below ground water level

1.5

Non-compacted mineral soil fills above and below ground water level

2.0

* Jouko Trnqvist: Corrosion steel pipe piles. Dimensioning based on empirical material VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (2005).
Espoo (2005)

Table 21. Recommended values for thickness reduction of bearing piles and sheet piling installed in fresh or sea water
due to corrosion [mm].

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Design life required in designs

5 years

25 years

50 years

75 years

100 years

Normal fresh water (river, navigable channel, ...)

in a high stress (water line)

0.15

0.55

0.90

1.15

1.40

Badly polluted fresh water (sewage, industrial waste water...)

in a high stress area (water line)

0.30

1.30

2.30

3.30

4.30

Sea water in temperate climate in high stress area

(shallow water and splash zones)

0.55

1.90

3.75

5.60

7.50

Sea water in temperate climate in areas permanently under

water and tidal zones.

0.25

0.90

1.75

2.60

3.50

Note:
1) Corrosion rate is usually highest in a splash or tidal zone at low tide level. In most cases, however, the highest flexural stresses
occur in areas permanently under water.
2) Values for 5 and 25 years are based on measurements, while others have been extrapolated.

22

5.8 Vertical displacements of pile foundation

In uncertain cases it is advisable to overdimension

excessively or use corrosion protection.

If necessary, vertical displacements of pile foundations

are analysed according to PO-2011, Sec. 4.5.4. An
analysis of settlements is generally not needed with steel
piles bearing on dense moraine or bedrock, if ultimate
limit state analyses of the piles have been conducted.
However, for example, at foundation underpinning sites,
especially with long piles, the elastic compression of
piles may become a dimensioning factor, which is why
the piles are often prestressed.

The usualness of conditions is established on the basis

of geotechnical investigations and historical data on the
area when there is no reason to assume the soil to be
contaminated. Special investigations can be carried out
in uncertain situations to ascertain that the separately
determined limit values for aggressive conditions
are not exceeded. The instructions of the publication
Sillan geotekniset suunnitteluperusteet (Geotechnical
design criteria for bridges) are followed in corrosion
dimensioning and corrosion investigations in bridge
projects commissioned by the Finnish Transport Agency.

The assessment of vertical displacements must cover

both the settlement of individual piles and settlement
due to group effect as well as structural rotations and
changes in inclination possibly caused by uneven
settlement.

Use of filter fabric or plastic sheeting or pipes is

recommended around unprotected steel piles to prevent
direct contact between granules and steel in lightweight
aggregate fills.

In the case of tension piles, upward displacements

should be assessed on the basis of the same principles.
If very strict criteria have been set for the service limit
state, a separate analysis of upward displacements is
needed.

The corrosion of piles installed in water can be estimated

on the basis of the values presented in Table 21. Higher
corrosion values must be used in unusual conditions
including sites where pile surfaces are subject to
mechanical stress caused, for example, by propeller
slipstreams of ships. The recommendations of the Table
were originally presented in standard SFS-EN 1993-5.

5.9 C
 onsidering downdrag (negative skin friction) in
dimensioning
Negative skin friction is taken into account according to
PO-2011, Ch. 4.2.2.2 as a downward acting load.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

When cement-based injection grout, grouting mortar or

concrete is used as corrosion protection of steel piles,
corrosion dimensioning and determination of the correct
protective coating thickness can be based on Tables
4.25 ja 4.26 of PO-2011, Ch. 1.

In building construction projects, the design value

of downdrag load is obtained by multiplying the
characteristic value of negative skin friction by a factor of
1.2. When the design value of short-term loads exceeds
the design load of downdrag, downdrag load is not taken
into account in ultimate limit state analysis.

External coatings can be used as corrosion protection on

steel piles, although overdimensioning of wall thickness
is generally the recommended method. Possible external
coatings are protective paint or 3-layer HDPE coating.
The selected coating must be able to withstand stresses
during installation. Protective painting is highly suitable
for piles that are installed in water where the purpose
of the protective painting is to prolong service life, for
instance, in the most aggressive splash zone areas.
The service life of protective painting can be assessed
in the case of the protective paint systems specified in
standard SFS-EN 12944-5. There is always the risk of
damage to the coating of piles driven into soil unless
special measures are taken. In the case of drilled piles,
when there are no stones or boulders in the soil, it may
be possible to use the strong 3-layer HDPE coatings
specified in DIN 30670 without the coatings being
damaged. Even then, the use of a coating should be
considered case by case and the durability of the coating
ensured, for example, by test installations.

In infrastructure projects, the characteristic value is

multiplied by the partial safety factors of dead load (Load
Combination 6.10a). Downdrag load does not affect
the pile simultaneously with compressive stresses from
traffic loads.
Small diameter steel pipe piles have dimensioning
advantages over conventional pile types in terms of
negative skin friction, since the skin area is small and
the downdrag load on the piles is often smaller than
short-term loads. On the other hand, due to their low soil
displacement, driven small diameter piles, even large RD
piles when installed carefully, do not cause soil heave
and subsequent settlement in normally consolidated
clay. Thus, installation of piles does not cause significant
displacement of soil or lead to a situation where negative
skin friction should be taken into account according to
PO-2011.

In the case of electric protection methods, the electric

current required by the system and the replaceability/
service life of galvanic anodes must be taken into
account.
23

The buckling analysis of piles has been performed by

a structural model where the partial safety factor of soil
resistance is applied to the characteristic values of the
resistances of the springs representing the soil. The
springs themselves have been calculated on the basis of
characteristic soil values. The partial safety factor of soil
resistance has been set to the default value of gR = 1.5 (RIL
207-2009). The partial safety factor of steel has been set to
gsi = 1.0 according to SFS-EN 1993-1-1. The structure of the
pile has been dimensioned as a steel structure. Calculation
method of dimensioning the structural resistance of piles
cross-section is presented in detail in the RrPileCalcprogram manual (http://software.ruukki.com)

Accurate determination of the negative skin friction on

an individual pile requires calculating the settlements of
both the pile and soil layers. Normally it can be simply
assumed that negative skin friction occurs across the
entire compressed layer and that its magnitude [of skin
friction] can be estimated on the basis of undrained
shear strength and the adhesion coefficient.
5.10 Transversely loaded steel piles
Laterally loaded piles are dimensioned according to
the principles of PO-2011, Ch. 1, Sec. 4.6. Usually a
dimensioning program is used, which can take into account
the stiffness of the pile, attachment of the upper and
lower ends of the pile, and the properties of soil layers.
Flexural stiffnesses (EI) of steel piles, either unconcreted or
concreted and reinforced, can be easily calculated by the
Ruukki dimensioning program for RR and RD piles.

If the input values differ from the above or those presented in

Table 22, the axial structural resistance of piles can be easily
determined by the Ruukki dimensioning program for piles.
The design values of the geotechnical resistance of
piles are independent of the used corrosion allowance. If
driven RR or RRs piles are concreted and dimensioned
as a composite structure, the design values of RD piles
(Sec. 5.13) can be used as design values of the pile
structure, or they can be determined by the Ruukki
dimensioning program for RR/RD piles.

5.11 Short piles

It must be borne in mind in design that the shortest
allowable lengths of driven RR piles in soil are:
RR75 to RR220: 1.5 m
RR270 to RR320: 2.0 m
RR400 to RR600: 2.5 m
RR650 to RR1200: 3.0 m

5.13 D
 imensioning tables for RD and RDs piles,
RD/RDs90 to RD320/12.5

If the penetration depth of an RR pile is less than

5 metres, it must be estimated whether the soil provides
sufficient lateral support for the pile. Lateral support can
often be improved by using rock shoes to attach the
pile tip to bedrock. If the soil does not provide sufficient
lateral support, the sufficiency of lateral support vs.
allowed deviations in inclination (lateral component acting
on inclined pile vs. lateral resistance) is checked. In
consequence class CC1, and with caution also at CC2
sites, it is also possible to reduce the design value of the
compressive resistance of piles by a factor of 0.6 to 1.0
(pile length 3 to 5 m) in lieu of more accurate calculations.
Piles shorter than 3 metres are usually attached rigidly
to the superstructure according to Sec. 6.1. RD piles
have no minimum penetration depth, but pile length is
determined according to site properties and the portion to
be drilled into bedrock according to Sec. 5.5.6.3.

Coefficient of modulus of subgrade reaction used in

calculating the spring constant of soil is 50 (ks = 50 x
cu,k/d) and that used in the calculation of the extreme
value of lateral resistance is 9 (pm = 9 x cu,k).
Buckling analysis of piles has been performed by a
structural model where the partial safety factor for soil
resistance is applied to the characteristic values of
the resistances of the springs representing soil. The
springs themselves have been calculated on the basis of
characteristic values of soil. The partial safety factor for soil
resistance has been set to the default value of gR = 1.5 (RIL
207-2009). The partial safety factor of steel has been set
to gsi = 1.0 in both steel structure dimensioning according to
SFS- EN 1993-1-1 and composite structure dimensioning
according to SFS-EN 1994-1-1. The partial safety factor
for the strength of concrete/grouting mortar is gci = 1.5.
Concrete strength has been C30/37. Calculation method of
dimensioning the structural resistance of piles cross-section
is presented in detail in the RrPileCalc-program manual
(http://software.ruukki.com)

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

5.12 Dimensioning tables for RR and RRs piles, pile

sizes RR75 to RR320/12.5
The design values of the geotechnical resistance of
RR and RRs piles have been determined according to
Sec. 5.5.4 to correspond to the end-of-driving criteria
based on stress wave analysis. In piling class PTL3
geotechnical resistance must be ensured by dynamic
test loadings according to Sec. 5.5.5.

Concrete creep and the share of dead load of the overall load
is considered in determining the effective elastic modulus
of concrete/grouting mortar (Ec,eff) according to standard
SFS-EN 1992-1-1. The creep factor used in the calculations
is jt =1.5 and the default value of dead load is 0.5.

Coefficient of modulus of subgrade reaction used to

calculate the spring constant of soil is 50 (ks = 50 x cu,k/
deff) and that used to calculate the extreme value of lateral
resistance is 9 (pm = 9 x cu,k).

If the input values change, the structural axial resistance

of piles can be easily determined by the Ruukki
dimensioning program for RR/RD piles.
24

Table 22. Design values for structural compressive resistances of RR and RRs piles and geotechnical resistance in
different piling classes. The compressive strength of the structure is dimensioned for a steel structure.
Corrosion allowance 1.2 mm
Pile

Steel grade

RR75

S440J2H

RR90

S440J2H

RR115/6,3

S440J2H

RR115/8

S440J2H

RRs115/8

S550J2H

RRs125/6,3

S550J2H

RR140/8

S440J2H

RR140/10

S440J2H

RRs140/10

S550J2H

RR170/10

S440J2H

RRs170/10

S550J2H

RR170/12,5

S440J2H

RR220/10

S440J2H

RR220/12,5

S440J2H

RR270/10

S440J2H

RR270/12,5

S440J2H

RR320/10

S440J2H

RR320/12,5

S440J2H

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

RR75

S440J2H

RR90

S440J2H

RR115/6,3

S440J2H

RR115/8

S440J2H

RRs115/8

S550J2H

RRs125/6,3

S550J2H

RR140/8

S440J2H

RR140/10

S440J2H

RRs140/10

S550J2H

RR170/10

S440J2H

RRs170/10

S550J2H

RR170/12,5

S440J2H

RR220/10

S440J2H

RR220/12,5

S440J2H

RR270/10

S440J2H

RR270/12,5

S440J2H

RR320/10

S440J2H

RR320/12,5

S440J2H

Design value of structural compression

resistance Rd [kN]
undrained shear strength cuk [kPa]

Initial deflection

Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600
Lcr/400
Lcr/600

210
245
274
320
421
489
464
541
464
541
504
582
653
758
710
829
710
829
975
1134
975
1134
1057
1234
1519
1706
1654
1922
2152
2265
2391
2713
2665
2802
3177
3386

10

257
298
336
382
507
534
568
652
568
657
616
704
799
853
870
1007
870
1007
1194
1307
1194
1377
1295
1501
1747
1838
2026
2204
2298
2413
2782
2927
2826
2962
3446
3621

318
337
394
414
544
571
673
709
703
807
729
766
872
917
1052
1108
1078
1237
1341
1410
1477
1632
1603
1687
1864
1955
2259
2374
2429
2541
2971
3117
2969
3098
3654
3826

15

347
365
424
445
579
605
726
762
854
896
787
823
931
975
1138
1195
1334
1401
1436
1504
1700
1784
1739
1826
1973
2060
2417
2531
2550
2654
3149
3288
3099
3219
3847
4008

Corrosion allowance 2.0 mm

191
223
251
292
388
429
435
506
435
506
464
535
613
710
675
787
675
787
929
1079
929
1079
1016
1185
1451
1579
1594
1850
1988
2092
2308
2556
2459
2584
3028
3187

234
267
308
331
439
462
532
588
532
614
567
614
730
768
827
940
827
956
1138
1207
1138
1310
1245
1441
1611
1694
1952
2073
2115
2219
2614
2749
2599
2721
3235
3397

276
290
339
357
468
490
605
635
659
734
631
662
781
820
969
1019
1024
1171
1233
1296
1407
1509
1504
1583
1712
1794
2118
2225
2229
2329
2783
2918
2721
2837
3421
3578

297
312
363
380
494
515
648
678
766
803
676
706
830
867
1043
1094
1228
1289
1316
1377
1564
1640
1626
1707
1806
1883
2260
2364
2333
2425
2942
3069
2834
2940
3592
3739

20

364
381
442
462
599
624
758
792
903
946
821
856
966
1008
1190
1245
1414
1482
1493
1558
1789
1872
1821
1907
2037
2119
2511
2620
2621
2718
3253
3384
3176
3287
3959
4110
310
324
376
393
510
530
673
703
807
844
701
730
859
894
1088
1137
1298
1359
1364
1422
1641
1715
1700
1778
1861
1934
2343
2443
2393
2480
3034
3154
2899
2998
3692
3830

30

383
399
463
481
622
645
794
826
961
1002
859
892
1007
1044
1249
1301
1509
1577
1558
1618
1893
1971
1917
1992
2111
2187
2620
2720
2702
2790
3373
3493
3264
3364
4089
4226
325
338
392
407
528
546
704
731
851
890
731
757
851
890
1139
1185
1380
1438
1421
1474
1730
1799
1785
1858
1925
1990
2440
2531
2464
2542
3141
3250
2976
3065
3808
3932

Design values of
geotechnical resistance
Rd [kN]
PTL1

PTL2

PTL3

186

220*

274*

220

260*

324*

288

345*

423*

360

480

600

450

600

749

402

536

670

446

594

743

549

732

915

686

915

1143

670

893

1116

837

1116

1396

824

1099

1373

885

1180

1475

1093

1457

1821

1113

1484

1855

1378

1837

2296

1328

1771

2214

1647

2196

2745

186

220*

274*

220

260*

324*

288

345*

423*

360

480

600

450

600

749

402

536

670

446

594

743

549

732

915

686

915

1143

670

893

1116

837

1116

1396

824

1099

1373

885

1180

1475

1093

1457

1821

1113

1484

1855

1378

1837

2296

1328

1771

2214

1647

2196

2745

*The given design values of geotechnical resistance for RR75, RR90 and RR115/6.3 are not maximum values of the piling class in
question but design values recommended for ordinary sites. The maximum values of geotechnical resistance Rd for these piles in
piling class PTL2 are 248 kN for RR75, 294 kN for RR90, and 384 kN for RR115/6.3.

25

Table 23. Design values for structural compressive resistance of RD and RDs piles.
Dimensioned as a composite
structure C30/37

Dimensioned as a steel structure

Pile
RD115/6,3
RDs115/6,3
RD115/8
RDs115/8
RDs125/6,3
RD140/8
RDs140/8
RD140/10
RDs140/10
RD170/10

Steel
grade
S440
S550
S440
S550
S550
S440
S550
S440
S550
S440

RDs170/10

S550

RD170/12,5

S440

RDs170/12,5

S550

RD220/10

S440

RDs220/10

S550

RD220/12,5
RDs220/12,5

S440
S550
S440

RD270/10
S550
S440
RD270/12,5
S550
S440
RD320/10
S550
S440
RD320/12,5
CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

S550

Corrosion allowance 1.2 mm

Corrosion allowance 2.0 mm

Corrosion allowance 2.0 mm

Shear strength cuk [kPa]

Shear strength cuk [kPa]

Shear strength cuk [kPa]

10

15

20

50

10

15

20

50

10

15

20

50

Lcr/400 421

507

544

579

599

645

388

439

468

494

510

545

404

494

568

605

626

671

Lcr/600 489

534

571

605

624

665

429

462

490

515

530

561

467

553

593

649

649

689

Lcr/400 421

516

636

690

722

795

388

474

551

593

618

673

404

494

586

622

642

684

Lcr/600 489

593

668

723

754

821

448

533

579

620

644

694

467

568

610

645

663

699

Lcr/400 464

568

673

726

758

830

435

532

605

648

673

733

446

546

676

735

767

837

Lcr/600 541

652

709

762

792

858

506

588

635

678

703

757

520

632

714

768

799

863

Lcr/400 464

568

703

854

903 1017 435

532

659

766

807

900

446

546

676

758

789

855

Lcr/600 541

657

807

896

946 1054 506

614

734

803

844

931

520

632

735

789

819

878

Lcr/400 504

616

729

787

821

896

464

567

631

676

701

759

486

594

687

726

748

793

Lcr/600 582

704

766

823

856

925

535

614

662

706

730

782

561

669

714

751

771

809

Lcr/400 653

799

872

931

966 1046 613

730

781

830

859

924

635

777

921

985 1022 1103

894

Lcr/600 758

853

917

975 1008 1079 710

768

820

867

952

737

892

963 1027 1062 1134

Lcr/400 653

799

988

1107 1162 1286 613

751

915

991 1036 1138

635

777

951 1015 1050 1125

Lcr/600 758

921 1066 1160 1213 1330

711

863

961 1038 1082 1175

737

895

991 1053 1086 1152

Lcr/400 710

870 1052 1138 1190 1308 675

827

969 1043 1088 1189

691

847 1049 1166 1219 1338

Lcr/600 829 1007 1108 1195 1245 1353 787

940 1019 1094 1137 1229 806

980

Lcr/400 710

827 1024 1228 1298 1458 691

847 1049 1204 1256 1368

870 1078 1334 1414 1600 675

1129 1220 1272 1380

Lcr/600 829 1007 1237 1401 1482 1660 787

956

1171 1289 1359 1511

806

980

Lcr/400 975

1138 1233 1316 1364 1475

958

1173 1422 1528 1589 1724

1194 1341 1436 1493 1622 929

1164 1255 1305 1406

Lcr/600 1134 1307 1410 1504 1558 1674 1079 1207 1296 1377 1422 1522 1114 1353 1489 1595 1653 1774
Lcr/400 975

1194 1477 1700 1789 1992 929

1138 1407 1564 1641 1815 958

1173 1451 1575 1635 1760

Lcr/600 1134 1377 1632 1784 1872 2061 1079 1310 1509 1640 1715 1876 1114 1353 1533 1637 1693 1805
Lcr/400 1057 1295 1603 1739 1821 2010 1016 1245 1504 1626 1700 1868 1037 1271 1575 1792 1878 2071
Lcr/600 1234 1501 1687 1826 1907 2082 1185 1441 1583 1707 1778 1933 1211 1473 1730 1877 1961 2139
Lcr/400 1057 1295 1604 2031 2158 2457 1016 1245 1542 1906 2021 2286 1037 1271 1575 1851 1936 2119
Lcr/600 1234 1501 1844 2133 2263 2551 1185 1441 1770 2002 2118 2372 1211 1473 1783 1931 2014 2180
Lcr/400 1519 1747 1864 1973 2037 2183 1451 1611 1712 1806 1861 1987 1513 1851 2107 2240 2315 2477
Lcr/600 1706 1838 1955 2060 2119 2248 1579 1694 1794 1883 1934 2044 1750 2052 2199 2328 2397 2540
Lcr/400 1519 1858 2193 2367 2466 2693 1451 1774 2024 2172 2259 2453 1513 1851 2173 2303 2374 2523
Lcr/600 1756 2117 2302 2474 2572 2778 1675 1962 2123 2271 2353 2529 1751 2111 2259 2384 2449 2578
Lcr/400 1654 2026 2259 2417 2511 2726 1594 1952 2118 2260 2343 2534 1643 2012 2441 2623 2728 2960
Lcr/600 1922 2204 2374 2531 2620 2814 1850 2073 2225 2364 2443 2614 1910 2321 2556 2737 2838 3046
Lcr/400 1654 2026 2506 2865 3013 3349 1594 1952 2414 2687 2819 3117 1643 2012 2489 2704 2806 3022
Lcr/600 1922 2336 2752 3004 3151 3465 1850 2248 2590 2816 2946 3223 1910 2321 2632 2811 2906 3098
Lcr/400 2152 2298 2429 2550 2621 2783 1988 2115 2229 2333 2393 2534 2211 2702 2929 3089 3178 3368
Lcr/600 2265 2413 2541 2654 2718 2860 2092 2219 2329 2425 2480 2601 2548 2868 3048 3199 3279 3444
Lcr/400 2188 2674 2890 3082 3192 3441 2093 2485 2662 2827 2922 3135 2211 2702 3015 3169 3252 3424
Lcr/600 2519 2820 3029 3216 3320 3542 2405 2608 2788 2947 3035 3224 2548 2948 3125 3268 3343 3490
Lcr/400 2391 2782 2971 3149 3253 3491 2308 2614 2783 2942 3034 3247 2402 2939 3382 3601 3726 3996
Lcr/600 2713 2927 3117 3288 3384 3595 2556 2749 2918 3069 3154 3342 2782 3288 3532 3746 3862 4101
Lcr/400 2391 2926 3491 3770 3934 4304 2308 2823 3282 3532 3687 4006 2402 2939 3489 3705 3823 4072
Lcr/600 2767 3359 3665 3945 4101 4441 2667 3174 3444 3693 3834 4131 2782 3378 3630 3838 3947 4164
Lcr/400 2665 2826 2969 3099 3176 3352 2459 2599 2721 2834 2899 3052 2966 3582 3795 3980 4082 4297
Lcr/600 2802 2962 3098 3219 3287 3440 2584 2721 2837 2940 2998 3129 3406 3730 3938 4110 4200 4385
Lcr/400 2900 3334 3558 3765 3884 4152 2776 3080 3273 3451 3553 3783 2966 3624 3899 4075 4168 4362
Lcr/600 3242 3499 3723 3921 4030 4266 3008 3421 3421 3589 3683 3884 3409 3827 4030 4191 4274 4438
Lcr/400 3177 3446 3654 3847 3959 4217 3028 3235 3421 3592 3692 3923 3222 3940 4361 4615 4757 5062
Lcr/600 3386 3621 3826 4008 4110 4336 3187 3397 3578 3739 3830 4031 3720 4260 4544 4786 4916 5183
Lcr/400 3177 3883 4331 4636 4813 5210 3069 3750 4068 4340 4497 4850 3222 3940 4492 4739 4872 5150
Lcr/600 3663 4211 4542 4842 5010 5366 3533 3968 4264 4529 4677 4992 3720 4381 4663 4895 5016 5256

26

6. DESIGN OF PILE FOUNDATIONS

Smaller centre-to-centre distances than those presented

in Table 24 may be used with caution with RD piles,
if they can be installed straight or at the designed
inclination and the piles bear securely on bedrock. When
designing downward spreading pile groups, the upper
ends of piles can be spaced closer than in the table.

6.1 Attachment of piles to superstructure

The joint between a pile and the superstructure can be
dimensioned as a hinge. The piles are cut so that the
upper end is embedded at least 50 mm inside the pile
footing or concrete superstructure unless otherwise
required by the structural design or attachment of piles.

In the case of intersecting end-bearing piles in a finegrained soil layer close to ground level, a clearance
equal to pile diameter can be considered sufficient, if
the pile can be directed during installation so that it does
not touch adjacent piles. In coarse-grained soil layers,
especially with driven piles, the clearance must be
considerably larger. Pile intersections should be located
as close to ground level as possible. With large diameter
RR piles the minimum distance between intersecting
piles is determined by the equation:

Short, under 3-metre long piles should always be attached

rigidly to the superstructure. Depending on structure, longer
piles may also be attached rigidly to the superstructure.
RR75 to RR/RD220 piles are usually attached rigidly to
the superstructure when the upper end is embedded in the
concrete at a depth of at least 2xD, but not less than 200
mm. When the upper end is attached directly to a steel
superstructure, a rigid joint can be created by welding.
Reinforced piles are usually attached to the superstructure
by extending the internal reinforcements of the piles into
the concrete structures. In rigid attachment, the moment
capacity of the upper end must be verified.

er = 50 lrei (3)

The bearing plates presented in Table 16 can be used

for axially compressed RR and RD piles.

where
er minimum distance between intersecting piles [mm]
lr depth of intersection [m]
ei shortest distance between parallel shaft surfaces =
300 +0.7 d [mm]

6.2 Centre-to-centre distances between steel piles

6.3 Distance between side of pile footing and piles

The distances between piles are defined in design

documents. Recommended minimum centre-to-centre
distances for different pile diameters are presented in
Table 24.

The pile footing must be able to withstand the stresses

from pile forces and there must be no risk of the side of
the pile footing breaking off. Normally, the distance from
the edge of the pile footing to the outer surface of the
closest pile or the edge of the bearing plate must be at
least half of the pile diameter or the length of the side
of the bearing plate. The positional tolerances of a pile
must be taken into account at the design stage.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Table 24. Recommended minimum centre-to-centre spacing

of Ruukki steel piles [mm] according to PO-2011 [mm].
Pile
RR75
RR/RD90
RR/RD115
RRs125
RR/RD140
RR/RD170
RR/RD220
RR/RD270
RR/RD320
RR/RD400
RR/RD500
RR/RD600
RR/RD700
RR/RD800
RR/RD900
RR/RD1000
RR/RD1200

6.4 Distances between piles and other structures

min c/c [mm]

800
800
800
800
800
800
800
800*
850**
1000
1200
1350
1550
1700
1850
2050
2400

The minimum distances between piles and other

structures are designed separately in each case
considering the piling equipment, pile type, vibration
caused by piling, compaction of soil, loosening or
displacement of soil, and special requirements and
restrictions posed by soil conditions and ambient
structures.
If the only restricting factors are the piling equipment
and available space, the minimum distance must be
determined on the basis of the properties of used piling
equipment and the site. Small diameter RR and RD piles
can be installed quite close to an existing wall or footing
line, etc. owing to the small-size installation equipment.
However, without a closer analysis, it is not advisable
to design piles in sizes RR/RD220 to RR/RD270 or
smaller so that the distance between the pile edge and
the structure is less than 200 to 300 mm (if there are no
structures restricting piling, such as eaves, etc., above
the piling level).

*According to PO-2011, the recommended minimum centre-to-centre

distance 800 mm between RR/RD270 piles is valid up to a pile length
of about 15 m. Thereafter, the minimum distance must be increased
to 950 mm as pile length increases to 25 metres.
** correspondingly, the minimum centre-to-centre distance 850 mm
between RR/RD320 piles is valid up to a pile length of about 10 m,
after which the minimum centre-to-centre distance increases linearly
to 1150 mm at a pile length of 25 m.
27

6.5 Pile inclinations

Raking piles can be used to increase the stability of the
pile foundation as desired. However, stresses on the
raking piles from possible deformations of soil layers
must be taken into account.

in pile foundations used in building construction

e emax = 0.15 m, in particularly exacting conditions,
such as areas of pre-penetratable fills, relief drilling,
etc., e emax = 0.20 m

The maximum deviation in pile positions from the vertical,

or limit inclination, depends on used piling equipment and
the structure of soil layers at the foundation. When RR
piles are installed with equipment used also in precast
concrete piling, or RD piles are installed with heavy piling
equipment, both forward or backward tilting piles of this
type may usually be installed to a maximum inclination
of 3.5:1. With large diameter piles, especially (the mast)
tilted forward, the maximum allowed inclination must
be determined on the basis of the stability of the basic
equipment, considering used pile length and bearing
capacity of the subsoil separately in each case. When
installing piles with light or medium-heavy equipment,
small diameter RR and RD piles can be installed at a
highly inclined angle, even horizontally, if the structure
and stability of the installation equipment allow it. High
inclinations usually require using short pile sections.

for an individual pile in a pile row, e emax = 0.15 m,

however, for the centre of gravity of the entire row
e emax = 0.05 m in the direction perpendicular to the
row (a pile row is defined as piles under an elongated
pile footing when there is only a single pile in the
cross direction of footing)
for individual vertical or raking piles i imax = 0.04
(0.04 m/m) in a group of parallel piles i imax = 0.02
(0.02 m/m)
the horizontal direction (horizontal projection) of
inclined piles may differ at most 10 from the design
direction.
At underpinning sites it is often necessary to use clearly
deviating values.

It is worthwhile looking into the properties of the

installation equipment at the design stage, if the aim is to
install piles at exceptional inclinations.

Large diameter RR and RD piles

(RR/RD400 to RR/RD1200):
vertical and raking piles: horizontal position measured
from the working level:
e emax = 0.10 m RR/RD400RR/RD1000
e emax = 0.12 m RR/RD1200

vertical and raking piles at an angle of n 15 (Q 86):
angular deviation
i imax = 0.02 (0.02 m/m)

6.6. Allowed positional and angular deviations

Piles should be installed exactly in the planned position
and at the planned angle. However, a pile must not be
forced into its theoretical position during installation or
thereafter.
The measurement accuracy of pile position before and
after installation is 0.01 m, unless otherwise specified in
the designs.

raking piles at an angle of 4 n < 15 (76 Q < 86):

angular deviation
i imax = 0.04 (0.04 m/m)

Unless otherwise required by structural requirements,

detailed instructions on structures by the authorities, soil
conditions, used piling equipment or a very deep cutting
level, the following allowed positional deviations are
used:

RD piles, especially when using the concentric drilling

method, easily achieve tolerances stricter than the
above ones. Stricter tolerances are recommended for
RD piles if stricter building tolerances are called for by
the structure and loads, and the soil and installation
conditions allow them. The attainment of stricter
tolerances requires special care in both the in-place
measurement and installation work.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Small diameter RR, CSG-RR and RD piles

(RR75 RR/RD320):

individual vertical or raking pile, pile slab or bearing
plate structure:
e emax = 0.10 m

From the viewpoint of the installation work, however,

it is not advisable without justification to apply stricter
tolerances to RD piles than those presented below:

individual pile in a small pile group (4 to 8 piles):

e emax = 0.15 m, individual pile in a larger pile group:
e emax = 0.2 m, however, for the centre of gravity of
the entire group e emax = 0,05 m

vertical and raking piles: horizontal position measured

from the working level:
e emax = 0.025 m

28

 vertical or raking piles at an angle of n 15 (Q 86)

angular deviation:
i imax = 0.015 (0.015 m/m)

below ground water level in loose silty and sandy soils

with low impact energy, whereby the compaction of
compacting soil layers due to piling remains minor.
Correspondingly, penetration of dense soil layers that
cause vibration can be achieved with relatively low
impact energy, so that the vibration from piling is minor.
Especially when using light piling equipment and pile
drivers, RR piles can usually be installed safely very
close to existing structures. The environmental impacts
of pile driving may also be minimised by selecting piling
class PTL3 and RRs piles.

raking piles at an angle of 4 n < 15 (76 Q < 86)

angular deviation:
i imax = 0.025 (0.025 m/m)
In the case of Combi-wall and RD pile wall structures
it is often practical to aim at tolerances considerably
stricter than the above general positional and verticality
tolerances. Used tolerances must be determined case
by case and at least a preliminary plan of measures to
be taken to attain the tight tolerances must be made
already at the design stage.

If installed according to the installation instructions, RD

piles, especially small diameter RD piles, do not displace
soil or remove extra soil, which keeps the environmental
impacts of piling, such as soil displacement and
compaction, vibration, and increase in pore water
pressure, very low. With large RD piles (RD400), due
to the higher consumption of flushing agent (usually
compressed air) and larger DTH hammer equipment,
piling can have minor environmental impacts, which
must be considered in design and implementation when
RD piles are installed in the immediate vicinity of existing
structures.

Combi-wall structures are usually equipped with

sufficiently sturdy templates made of steel beams or the
like, which allow accurate positioning of the piles. In RD
pile wall structures, the starting pile of the wall structure
in practice determines the direction and inclination of
the entire wall, which means that the installation of the
starting pile(s) and used tolerances must be planned
with great care.

The jacked RR piles used in underpinning usually cause

the least environmental impacts, whose installation also
causes very little noise.

Positional and angular deviations of piles due to

installation are taken into account in the design of the
pile foundation. After installation, the actual positions and
inclinations of the piles are measured. If the positional
tolerances allowed by the design are exceeded, the
possible overloading of each structural members must
be determined and necessary measures taken.

In soft subsoils, the movement of heavy (>40 to 60 t)

piling equipment may cause more vibration than the pile
installation itself.

6.7 Impact of piling on previously installed piles,

other foundation structures and immediate
surroundings

7. PILING
7.1 M
 aterial needed for piling: working plan and
quality plan

The geotechnical works of the building site, piling

included, are designed and executed so that they do
not decrease the resistance of previously installed
piles or cause damage or nuisance to the immediate
surroundings of the site. If there are structures
susceptible to damage in the immediate surroundings
of the site, they must be charted to a sufficient extent in
connection with geotechnical investigations, or in any
case before piling. If necessary, the condition of nearby
structures must be established through inspections.

The material needed for piling, the working plan and

quality plan, are presented in PO-2011, Ch. 2, Sec. 5.1
7.2 S
 torage, handling, inspection and erection of
steel piles
The storage and handling of piles on site are covered
by a separate manual Piles and pile accessories,
recommendations for safe handling for the customer,
Ruukki 2012.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

The environmental impacts of driven and drilled piles

can be estimated as described in PO-2011, Ch. 2,
Sec. 4.7. The selection of pile type, piling method and
piling equipment can have a significant effect on the
environmental impacts.

Inspection of delivered piles and their accessories takes

place immediately after the delivery arrives on site.
A visual inspection is made to ensure that the shipment
corresponds to the order and consignment note. The steel
grade and dimensions of piles are verified from product
descriptions and markings on the pile pipes. Pile sections
and accessories must correspond to the products specified
in designs. A faulty or wrong product must not be installed.

Small-diameter driven RR piles displace very little soil in

relation to their bearing capacity. Therefore, the increase
in pore water pressure and lateral displacements and
heave of soil usually remain very small. Owing to their
small cross-sectional diameter, the piles can be driven
29

When RR piles are installed with driving equipment

suspended from a crane, the pile must be supported
adequately by other support structures. The entire piling
equipment must be supported and assembled so that it
does not sway during piling.

More detailed instructions for the handling of threaded

RD pile sections and threaded RD sleeves are presented
in Sec. 7.4.4.
Piles and their accessories are to be inspected once
more before installation. The pre-installation inspection
ensures that the piles have not been damaged during
handling and storage on site.

7.3.1.2 Drop and hydraulic hammers

The drop height of a drop hammer can usually
be selected freely considering equipment specific
limitations. The suitable masses for drop hammers
and hydraulic rams depend on used pile size and soil
conditions. A heavy hammer may be advantageous
when driving RR micropiles into dense soil, but it also
increases the risk of pile bending.

Pile sections and pile pipes are usually erected by a

lifting cable or the like attached near the head of the pile.
Special care must be taken during erection to ensure,
for example, that the lifting equipment/chain stays
attached to the pile. It is recommended that pile erection
is performed with the piling equipment positioned at the
pile during erection so that it will not need to be moved
except for minor adjustment when the pile stands upright
in the piling equipment.

Recommended minimum and maximum masses of

the ram blocks of the drop and hydraulic hammers are
presented in Table 25.

The stress from curvature caused by the dead weight of

the steel pile is never a critical factor when lifting RR or
RD micropiles. With large diameter piles, the length limit
for piles that can be lifted from the head without closer
analysis is 20 metres. The erection of longer piles must
be planned case by case, considering pile dimensions.
The stability of the piling rig must be considered in
erection, and the weight and reach limitations and
instructions for the rig must be taken into account in
lifting.

Table 25. Recommended minimum and maximum

masses of the ram blocks of the drop and hydraulic
hammers used in the installation of RR piles

Pile

Ram block [kg]

[kg/m]

min

max

RR75

10.8

300

1000

RR90

12.8

350

1500

RR115/6.3

16.8

500

1500

RR115/8

21.0

500

2000

7.3.1.1 General

RR125/6.3

18.7

500

2000

RR140/8

26.0

500

3000

General requirements for the piling equipment are

presented in PO-2011, Sec. 5.4.2.1.

RR140/10

32.0

500

3000

7.3 Installation of RR piles

7.3.1 Piling equipment

Pile driving equipment suitable for the installation of RR

piles can be divided into the following main categories:
drop and hydraulic hammers
hydraulic rams and pneumatic hammers
other driving equipment
hydraulic jacks

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile weight

RR170/10

39.0

1000

4000

RR170/12.5

48.0

1000

5000

RR220/10

51.6

1500

5000

RR220/12.5

63.7

1500

6000

RR270/10

64.9

1500

6000

RR270/12.5

80.3

2000

8000

RR320/10

77.4

2000

8000

RR320/12.5

In the case of piling classes PTL2 and PTL3, the

manufacturer, importer or user of the pile driver must
clarify the essential factors affecting piling, such as overall
driving efficiency, suitable helmet, hammer cushion and
pile cushion for pile driving, and the effect of helmet
and cushions on the stresses transmitted to the pile.
The above factors can be established, for example, by
stress wave analyses, and it is recommended that piling
contractors file and, if necessary, analyse their stress
wave measurement results. The information is revised in
connection with major changes to the driving equipment
or when installing new pile types with the equipment in
question.

96.0

2000

9000

RR400 (1012.5)

97.8121.4

3000

9000

RR500 (1014.2)

122.8172.9

3000

12000

RR600 (1018)

148.0262.8

4000

RR700 (1020)

172.9340.8

4000

RR800 (1020)

198.0391.1

4000

RR900 (1020)

222.9440.9

4000

RR1000 (1020)

248.1491.3

4000

RR1200 (1020)

298.4591.9

4000

Pile cushion is usually not needed when driving RR

piles. If a pile cushion is not used, a dolly made of a thick
steel plate is used between the hammer and the pile.
30

extremely well suited for installing RR micropiles. They

are also suitable for the installation of larger piles, if full
geotechnical compressive resistance is not required
of the piles. The advantages of hydraulic rams in the
installation of RR piles include high blow rate and impact
force, which makes for quick pile installation; piles can in
most cases be installed very straight, and the installation
equipment is light and mountable on many kinds of basic
machines.

The head of the pile is adjusted inside the lower part

of the helmet to ensure that the impact is transmitted
centrically to the pile.
If the used lower part of the helmet is the square
shaped box used with precast concrete piles, it is
recommended that a steel adapter be always used on
the pile head in piling class PTL3. The top of the adapter
should be as close in size to the box of the helmet
as possible, and the bottom should sit quite snugly
inside or outside the pile pipe. The use of an adapter
is recommended in piling class PTL2. In PTL2, when
installing RR220 piles with a box measuring 250x250,
RR270 piles with a box measuring 300x300, or RR320
piles with a box measuring 350x350, sufficiently centric
blows can also be achieved without an adapter.

The suitability of different hammer types for different pile

sizes and lengths has been determined by simulations
based on the stress wave theory. Pile sizes and lengths
suitable for different rams are presented in the end-ofdriving instructions based on the above analysis.
Hydraulic rams are effective in installing micropiles, and
experience has shown that in certain conditions piles
driven by hydraulic rams penetrate deeper than dynamic
penetration test. Even if simulation does not indicate
sufficient mobilised static geotechnical resistance due
to the small settlement caused by a single blow, the
pile toe often bears reliably on bedrock or very dense
basal moraine. In conditions clearly suitable for endbearing piles, it is therefore often possible to achieve
sufficient reliability by a hammer/pile combination where
the calculated mobilised static geotechnical resistance
does not meet the end-of-driving criteria. In such a case,
the geotechnical resistance of piles must be ensured by
dynamic load tests (PDA measurements) or analyses
based on pile driving formulas. A pile driving equipment
of higher impact energy, such as a drop hammer or a
hydraulic hammer, must be used in the load tests.

When installing a pile with an external splice sleeve at

the top, an adapter must always be used to transmit the
blow to the pile pipe past the sleeve.
In Finnish soil conditions large diameter end-bearing
piles can usually be installed to a sufficient penetration
depth with relatively small hammers. Thick friction soil
and moraine layers require a sufficiently high impact
energy for the pile to penetrate effectively. In preliminary
analyses it can be estimated that when using the
hammers and pile dimensions presented in Table 26,
the installation equipment has sufficient impact energy
and the hammer is able to mobilise sufficient static
geotechnical resistance in PTL2 and PTL3 during
loading tests. Actual mobilised resistances depend
largely on pile size, pile length and soil conditions.
Sufficient static resistance can be achieved more easily
with short piles securely bearing on bedrock than with
long piles bearing on moraine layers.

To centre the blow and protect the pile head, a steel

adapter must be used between the pile and the tool of
the hydraulic ram. (Figure 12)

It is often practical to use a smaller hammer / lower

impact energy to drive large diameter piles and perform
the actual dynamic load test using a pile driving
equipment of higher impact energy.

Ensuring that the impact is aligned with the pile in piling

class PTL3 requires use of piling equipment where the
hydraulic ram moves along a piling mast. This driving
mode is also recommended for other piling classes.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Table 26. Combination of hammer weight [t] max. pile

size that is normally able to mobilise sufficient static
resistance in PTL2/PTL3.
Hammer [t]

max. RR pile

RR400RR500

RR500RR700

RR700RR800

7.3.1.3 Hydraulic rams

Figure 12. Example of an adapter between the striker of

the hydraulic ram and the pile during impact.

Hydraulic rams are rapid percussion pile drivers

31

with clear and sufficiently well-known soil conditions,

sufficient geotechnical resistance can be assumed if pile
lengths and soil survey results support each other.

7.3.1.4 Pneumatic hammers

Pneumatic hammers have a slightly lower blow rate than
hydraulic rams. The suitability of different hammer types
for different pile sizes and lengths has been determined
by simulations based on the stress wave theory. Based
on the above analysis, the end-of-driving instructions
present pile sizes and lengths suitable for different
hammers. On the basis of simulations, when using
pneumatic hammers slightly underpowered for the pile
load, geotechnical resistance can be ensured the same
way as with hydraulic rams.

The use of vibrators in the installation of steel piles

has been discussed in more detail, for example,
in publication Plkommissionen, Vibratorers
anvndningsmjligheter vid drivning av plar och spont,
Rapport 99. Linkping 2000 (in Swedish).
7.3.2 Start of installation
The pile is placed exactly in the designed position, and
its straightness or inclination is checked, for example,
by a bubble level or the inclinometer of in the piling
equipment. Blows are directed centrically to the pile
head in line with the longitudinal axis of the pile. The
instructions of Sec. 7.3.1 for different piling equipment
are followed in centring the blows. The position and
inclination of the pile are checked in the early stage
of installation when the pile tip has penetrated a
small distance into the soil. If the positional deviation
is estimated or measured to be too big, the pile is
extracted and positioned again. Straightening of a pile
that deviates slightly from the design inclination may be
attempted by effecting minor changes to the inclination
of the piling mast at the early stage of installation.

The bottom of the pneumatic hammer must be shaped

for centric blows, or an adapter must be used. Ensuring
that the impact is aligned with the pile in piling class
PTL3 requires the use of piling equipment, where the
pneumatic hammer moves along a mast. This driving
mode is also recommended for other piling classes.
The true effectiveness of pneumatic hammers depends
on operating conditions and wear of the equipment.
7.3.1.5 Hydraulic jacks
At foundation underpinning sites, jacked RR-piles are
installed by hydraulic jacks. The installation equipment
and jacking method used must allow safe compression
of piles to the designed compression force without
damage to nearby structures. The compression force
indicator of the installation equipment must enable
reliable measurement of the compression force.

7.3.3 Penetration blows and allowed driving stresses

The impact energy used in soft soil layers is such that it
causes moderate settlement per blow (about 100 mm),
whereby the risk of the mechanical splices of micropiles
coming apart can be avoided.

7.3.1.6 Other possible installation equipment

Suitable impact energy and blow rate, depending on

resistance, are applied in penetration blows to ensure
effective pile penetration.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

The use of a vibrator in the installation of RR piles

may be advantageous if the piles are installed to
preset depths as, for instance, in the case of the pile
foundations of noise barriers. The recommended vibrator
frequency is over 25 Hz. The vibrator may be attached
either to the pile head or the middle of the pile shaft.
Pile penetration can be improved by pulling or pressing
the pile downward. The suitability and selection of a
vibrator for different pile sizes depends on soil conditions
as well as pile length (mass). In soil conditions where
the coarse-grained soil layers on top of the bedrock are
stone-free, not especially dense, and relatively thin, RR
piles can be installed quite reliably down to bedrock
using a suitable vibrator. A vibrator may also be used
to drive piles in other soil conditions, for example, to
the top of a load-bearing moraine layer, after which the
final blows are delivered by another pile driver, so that
mechanical splices also tighten.

Impact stresses during pile installation may not exceed

90% of the yield strength of steel in PTL3, or 72% in PTL2.
The end-of-driving instructions present the maximum drop
heights for drop hammers and hydraulic hammers for
different pile sizes (up to RR400) and pile lengths (maximum
specified drop height values in PTL3), which ensure that
impact stresses do not exceed 90%. If a pile encounters a
big stone before the final blows, it is recommended to use
a slightly smaller drop heights than the table values (about
0.8-fold) as the maximum drop height for penetrating the
stone to ensure that the risk of exceeding the allowed impact
stresses does not become too high.
With hydraulic rams and pneumatic hammers, the
impact stresses during installation may approach
or exceed the 90% limit in the case of hammer/pile
combinations, where an efficiency value less than
80% has been indicated in the end-of-driving graphs,
or the impact energy of the hammer is too high and

If significant vertical loads have been designed for

piles to be installed by vibrators, the end-of-driving
criterias must be ensured by control blows or load tests
using other pile driving equipment. In piling class PTL1

32

the penetration of the pile stops abruptly, for example,

when the pile encounters a big stone. There, it is
recommended to decrease the impact force of the
hammer. The end-of-driving instructions present the
smallest pile size recommended to be installed with each
hammer. If a hammer is used to install piles smaller than
the recommended pile size, impact force must be limited
below the maximum.

When an internal splice is used, the splice is installed

to the bottom pile section so that the relief groove in the
splice piece coincides with the longitudinal weld of the
pile. The splice piece is pressed or driven carefully for
some distance so that a gap remains between the pile
and the splice piece. The next pile section is installed
correspondingly on the splice so that the relief groove
coincides with the longitudinal weld.

When installing raking piles, it should be noted that

the impact energy transmitted to the pile may be
considerably lower than with vertical piles.

Before pile splicing, the condition of the upper end of

the pile is inspected and a damaged part is repaired or
removed.

With large diameter piles and pile driving equipment/

pile combinations that have not been analysed earlier,
driving stresses may be evaluated by simulations based
on the stress wave theory.

When having a vibrator as pile drive its recommended to

use grease etc. in mechanical splices, so that splice is
inserted sufficiently before continuing of pile installation.
7.3.5 Additional instructions for the installation of
RR270 to RR1200 piles

The magnitude of driving stresses and the centricity of

the blow can be best determined by dynamic load tests.

The pile must be supported at the beginning of driving

so that it stays in the designed position and inclination.
While the driving is under way, the pile support system
must guide the pile so that it is continuously supported at
the cutting level. If adequate support to the upper end of
the pile is unreasonably hard to provide, the position and
inclination of the upper end must be monitored during
piling. If the pile is found to deviate from the designed
position or inclination, an effort must be made to correct
them. If the pile tip encounters a stone or boulder in the
subsoil and consequently tends to change direction, it
must be possible to relax the guidance so that the pile can
circumvent obstacles without curving. If guidance needs
to be relaxed more than the tolerances set for pile position
and inclination allow, the structural dimensioning of the pile
foundation must be revised.

If the cutting level of the pile is below ground or water

level, a follower aligned with the longitudinal axis of the
pile can be installed between the pile driver helmet and
pile head. The follower pile should have about the same
impedance as the actual pile, in other words, the follower
should be a steel pipe of a steel cross section equal
or almost equal (+- 20%) to that of the actual pile. The
follower must be guided well and sit tightly on the end of
the pile.
7.3.4 Additional installation instructions and splicing
of RR75 to RR220 piles
The driving of RR75 to RR220 piles is usually started
with an unspliced pile section, for example, a piece cutoff earlier. Before installation a shoe (bottom plate or rock
shoe) is attached to the bottom of the pile, for example,
by using a sledge-hammer. The hardened dowel of the
rock shoe must not be hit due to the risk of chipping. The
shoe has a machined groove and the dowel is positioned
so that the groove coincides with the internal burr of the
pile pipe. A friction shoe must be attached tightly enough
to the pile pipe so that it cannot be loosened by tensile
stress during the impact. The final tightening of the shoe
occurs during the end-of-driving. It must be ensured that
the shoe is aligned with the pile pipe during attachment.

RR270 to RR1200 piles are spliced by welding

according to Sec. 7.5. Before splicing, the condition of
the upper end of the pile is inspected and a damaged
part is repaired or removed.
When large diameter piles with a closed shoe are
installed in a water body or below ground water level, they
are subject to a buoyancy force, which may exceed the
weight of the pile and the resistance due to skin friction
during an interruption in driving in cohesion soils or loose
friction soils. Then, the buoyancy force may make the
pile rise or hinder its penetration. A simple solution to
that problem is to fill the piles partly or fully with water to
achieve sufficient counterweight. The magnitude of the
buoyancy force increases with increasing pile diameter
(and decreasing wall thickness), and it is recommended
that the buoyancy be taken into account already at the
design stage starting from about pile size RR800.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

If the piles have inadequate lateral support, the risk of

buckling during installation is taken into account, for
example, by selecting suitable installation equipment
and section length for the pile.
The external splice sleeve of an RR pile can be either at
the top or bottom of the pile. Driving a pile with a splice
sleeve at the top requires an adapter that transmits the
blow past the splice sleeve to the pile pipe.

When specifying pile order lengths, it should be taken

into account that a length of 2xD at the upper end of
the pile must be reserved for PDA measurement.

The external splice sleeve of a pile must not be hit.

33

rock surface. In such a case, a few blows are delivered

after the last series of final blows using a low drop height to
ensure that the pile tip remains in contact with the bedrock.

7.3.6 End of driving of an end-bearing pile with a

drop or hydraulic hammer
The driving of an end-bearing pile can be stopped when
the pile tip is close to the designed target level and the
preset end-of-driving criteria are met. In piling class
PTL2, the end-of-driving criteria presented in Appendix
3 can be used as end-of-driving criteria for pile sizes
RR75 to RR400. Before the actual final blows, used
drop height is gradually increased close to the values
of the end-of-driving tables. The actual series of final
blows involves dropping the hammer from the height
specified in the tables where the permanent settlement
caused by 10 blows is measured. When the permanent
settlement due to 10 blows 10 mm, pile driving can
be ended. If the piles bear on a soil layer, at least 3
series of final blows must be delivered. In the case
of piles bearing on bedrock with the rock point
embedded in bedrock, one series of final blows is
usually sufficient. If the above-mentioned settlement
is exceeded, pile driving is continued until the end-ofdriving criterion is met.

In piling class PTL3, the end-of-driving criteria are

determined on the basis of dynamic load tests according
to Sec. 5.5.5.
7.3.7 E
 nd of driving of an end-bearing pile with a
hydraulic ram or pneumatic hammer
The driving of an end-bearing pile can be stopped when
the pile tip is close to the designed target level and the
preset end-of-driving criteria are met. In piling class
PTL2, the end-of-driving criteria presented in Appendix 3
can be used as end-of-driving criteria for pile sizes RR75
to RR170. Before the actual final blows, the used impact
energy and blow rate are increased to the maximum
values of the hammer if lower values were used during
the driving. The actual series of final blows involves
measuring the permanent settlement of the pile in 30
seconds while the pile is installed using the full impact
force and blow rate of the hammer. Three series of final
blows meeting the end-of-driving criteria are delivered.
When RR piles clearly bear on bedrock, the duration
of the series of final blows can be 10 seconds, which
means that the settlement values of the end-of-driving
tables must be divided by three. When the efficiency
specified in the end-of-driving tables <80 %, final blows
must not be delivered with full impact force due to impact
stresses. Then, the applied efficiency percentage of
impact force must be 80% of the specified efficiency.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

No breaks in pile installation are allowed before the end

of driving, and the final blows must be delivered without
interruption. If the final blows need to be interrupted,
and the geotechnical resistance of the piles cannot
be considered sufficient on the basis of previous
series of blows, penetration level or bearing capacity
measurements on the site, the pile must be detached
before proceeding with the final blows, for example, with
three to five series of ten blows using an impact energy
of about 50 to 70% of the level required by the end-ofdriving criterion.

No breaks in pile installation are allowed before the end

of driving, and the final blows must be delivered without
interruption. If the final blows need to be interrupted,
and the geotechnical resistance of the pile cannot be
considered sufficient on the basis of previous series of
blows, penetration level or bearing capacity measurements
done on site, the pile must be detached before
proceeding with the final blows, for example, using a 60
second series of blows.

When installing piles with a hardened rock dowel, the

impact energy is set lower than that specified in the endof-driving instructions when approaching the surface
of bedrock. After reaching the bedrock surface, impact
energy is gradually increased to the level specified in the
end-of-driving instructions. In conditions of a relatively
level bedrock surface and highly supportive friction soil
and moraine layers on top of the bedrock, impact energy
can be increased quite rapidly to the level needed for the
final blows. If the tip tends to slip or the bedrock surface
is inclined, impact energy must be reduced and the rock
shoe dowel attached by driving it either fully or partly in
bedrock using low impact energy, and then increasing
the impact energy/drop height to the level specified
in the end-of-driving criteria. With small piles, reliable
attachment of the rock point requires at least 300 to 500
blows after the point has reached bedrock with large
piles even thousands of blows may be required. Similar
principles are followed when driving RR400 to RR1200
piles with rock shoes and structural steel dowels into the
surface of bedrock.

When installing RR piles with rock shoes, the impact

force and blow rate are set lower than the maximum
values for the hammer when approaching an inclined
bedrock surface. After reaching the bedrock surface,
impact force and blow rate are gradually increased to the
maximum level for the hammer. If the tip tends to slip,
impact force must be reduced, and the rock shoe dowel
is attached partly or entirely into bedrock using a low
impact force. Then, the impact force and blow rate are
increased to the maximum level for the hammer. Reliable
attachment of the rock shoe dowel to an inclined bedrock
surface usually requires a series of blows of at least 1 to
2 minutes (at least 300 to 500 blows) at an impact force
lower than the maximum. In piling class PTL3, the endof-driving criteria are determined on the basis of dynamic
load tests according to Sec. 5.5.5.

A pile extending to bedrock may bounce off the rock during

driving causing the point to remain out of contact with the
34

7.3.10 Project-specific driving instructions

7.3.8 Preparation of end-of-driving instructions for

large diameter piles in piling classes PTL3 and
PTL2

Project-specific driving instructions must always be

prepared in piling class PTL3, and they must include
at least the end-of-driving criteria and maximum drop
heights for drop and hydraulic hammers. In the case of
large diameter piles with no predefined end-of-driving
criteria, project-specific driving instructions are also
prepared in piling class PTL2. Project-specific driving
instructions are recommended for friction piles also in
PTL2. If necessary, detailed instructions are given for the
following:

In the beginning of piling, test piles are installed at spots

highly representative of the soil conditions. One or more
piles are usually installed where pile lengths are the
longest or the soil conditions are most demanding in
terms of driving. Test piles usually become part of the
final structure, but separate test piles may be used, if
necessary.
At the pile testing stage it is useful to drive piles with
different end-of-driving criteria. Then, the strictest endof-driving criteria used are the end-of-driving instructions
or maximum drop heights presented in the end-of-driving
tables for PTL3. Yet, it may advantageous to install piles,
for example, using the end-of-driving criteria for PTL2.
In the case of large diameter piles that have no general
end-of-driving criteria, the criteria for final blows before
load tests are defined case by case considering the pile
driver, the pile (diameter, wall thickness and length) and
soil conditions.

drop height or impact energy used at different stages

of driving
instructions for filling closed top-driven piles with water
detailed instructions on driving the dowel of a rock
shoe into bedrock
instructions on measures to be taken in the case of
expected special events occurring during blowing
instructions on reporting responsibilities and detailed
instructions for a keeping piling record
instructions on dynamic load tests (quantities, waiting
periods, target levels)

Dynamic load tests are made on the piles of the piling

test stage. A special load test hammer is recommended
for load tests on piles installed with hydraulic rams
or pneumatic hammers in order to mobilise sufficient
geotechnical resistance. If it is observed during
piling that the piles bear on bedrock, the load tests
can be made very soon or even immediately after
pile installation. When piles bear on soil layers, the
recommended interval between installation and testing
is at least 24 hrs, preferably longer. The resistance
measured from piles is generally the higher, the longer
the waiting period. The target levels of dynamic load
tests are defined at the design stage according to Sec.
5.5.5.

7.3.11 Installation of jacked-RR piles

Jacked-RR piles are generally installed using hydraulic
jacks. The installation equipment must conform to
Ch. 2, Sec. 5.4.2.4 of PO-2011 and installation is to be
done according to Ch. 2, Sec. 5.4.4.5 of PO-2011.
7.4. Installation of RD piles
7.4.1 Piling equipment and drilling methods
The general requirements for RD piling equipment are
presented in Sec. 5.4.2.1 of PO-2011.
Top hammer or DTH hammer drilling equipment is used
with RD piles. Both can use either the eccentric or
concentric drilling method.

Suitable end-of-driving criteria for the site are determined

on the basis of dynamic load tests. If pile lengths and
soil conditions vary a lot, different end-of-driving criteria
are assigned to different pile lengths and soil conditions.

7.4.1.1 Top hammer-based equipment

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7.3.9 Final blows on friction piles

The hammer drill of top hammer drilling equipment is

generally pneumatic or hydraulic. The drilling equipment
also includes a rotary unit and drill rods. Top hammer
equipment can be used to drill piles up to diameter
RD170.

In piling tests before or at the beginning of actual piling,

friction piles are usually driven to the level designed on
the basis of geotechnical investigations and static bearing
capacity formulas and/or driving resistance based on
a preliminary estimate or analysis based on the stress
wave theory. Geotechnical resistance is measured by
dynamic load tests using signal modelling (e.g. CAPWAP
analysis). In coarse-grained soil layers skin friction usually
develops in less than a week, but in silty soil it may take
considerably longer. The target depth level and/or final
driving resistance of piles are determined on the basis of
the results of dynamic load tests.

The blow of the hammer drill generally strikes the drill

rod inside the pile, which is being rotated simultaneously,
and subsequently the casing shoe at the lower end of
the RD pile. As a result, drilling capacity diminishes as
pile length and the number of drill rod splices increase.
The maximum pile length with top hammer equipment
is generally about 30 m, although it is possible to install

35

in pile design and inspection. The wings of the latest

drill bits with several wings may be on a level with the
middle of the pilot bit, which prevents the formation of a
rock shelf. There is only little experience from the use of
multi-wing pilot bits in Finnish conditions, which means
that their suitability has to be determined case by case,
for instance, by test piling.

50 m piles in thick, soft cohesion soil layers. With some

top hammer equipment types, the RD pile pipe also
takes part of the blow of the hammer drill.
7.4.1.2 DTH hammer-based equipment
The hammer drill of DTH hammer-based equipment is
generally pneumatic or water powered. The equipment
also includes a hydraulic rotary unit and drill rods.

7.4.1.4 The concentric drilling method

In the concentric drilling method, a ring bit, which can
rotate without the RD pile rotating, is attached to the
lower end of the pile with a casing shoe. During drilling,
the reamer bit is locked onto the pilot bit. After drilling,
the pilot bit is detached from the ring bit and extracted.

A guide sleeve attaches the drill rods inside the RD pile

to the DTH hammer, which, again, is attached to the
drill bit by the shank adapter of the guide device above
the pilot bit. Blows are transmitted via the guide device
to the casing shoe, whereby the RD pile is pulled into
the ground. The rotary unit above the head of the pile
rotates the drill rods.

If necessary, drilling may be continued as rock drilling.

There are also drill bit systems on the market that allow
continuing rock drilling with the same pilot bit, so-called
drill-through systems.

DTH hammer-based drilling equipment can drill RD1200

piles. Pile length affects drilling capacity and installation
speed minimally at practicable pile lengths.

The method can be used with both DTH hammer- and

top hammer-based drilling equipment. Experience tells
us that the concentric drilling method generally produces
straighter RD piles than eccentric methods based
on a single reamer bit, and in demanding conditions
(boulders, stony soil) the concentric method is normally
more reliable and faster.

Experience tells us that RD piles installed with a DTH

hammer are generally somewhat straighter than RD
piles installed with a top hammer.
7.4.1.3 The eccentric drilling method
The eccentric drilling method uses a pilot bit and an
integrated eccentric reamer bit or several reamer wings.
The method is usable with both DTH hammer- and top
hammer-based drilling equipment.

7.4.2 Start of installation

The pile is placed exactly in the planned position and
its verticality or inclination is checked, for example,
by a bubble level. At sites where tight positional and
inclination tolerances have been set for RD piles,
special attention must be paid to measurements. In the
initial phase of installation, when the tip of the pile has
penetrated some distance into the ground, the inclination
and position of the pile are checked. In case the
positional deviation is estimated or measured to be too
big, the pile is extracted and repositioned. Straightening
of a pile deviating slightly from the planned inclination
may be attempted by changing the inclination of the
mast slightly in the early phase.

During drilling, an eccentric reamer bit or reamer wings

enlarge the hole made by the pilot bit slightly bigger than
the outside diameter of the RD pile. The RD pile is pulled
into the ground with the drill bit and the casing shoe
welded to the casing.
The flushing agent transfers part of the soil to be
removed to the surrounding soil. Part of the soil is
flushed up along the outer surface of the RD pile to
surface while part of it exits through the RD pile.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

When the target depth is reached, the drill rods are

rotated in the opposite direction to drilling whereby the
drill bits reamer portion or reamer wings close and the
drill bit, drill rods and any possible hammer drill can
be removed from inside the RD pile. Drilling may be
continued as rock drilling either using a separate rock bit
or, in certain cases, with the same bit.

7.4.3 Drilling of RD piles

The instructions and recommendations of the hammer
and drill bit manufacturer are followed in drilling RD
piles. The casing shoe or integrated casing shoe/
ring bit is generally welded to the RD pile pipe as per
instructions of the manufacturer. The ring bit used with
concentric drilling methods are attached to the casing
shoe as per instructions of the manufacturer. The casing
shoe and drill bit (ring bit) must be able to withstand the
same loads during use as the pile. The manufacturer
of the casing shoe and drill bit is liable for their strength
according to Ch. 2, Sec. 3.8.4.3 of PO-2011.

When using the eccentric drilling method and traditional

single reamer bit equipment (ODEX or equivalent), the
lower end of an RD pile installed in rock always ends up
resting on a shelf whose dimensions are determined
by the used drill bit. The impact of the rock shelf on the
geotechnical resistance of a pile must be considered

36

Air, water, polymers or cement grout can be used as

flushing agent in drilling. The volume of the soil material
flushed out of the ground with the flushing agent should
be slightly smaller, never larger, than the volume of the
RD pile, while the amount of exiting water should equal
the amount of water used in flushing.

During drilling, the pressure under the pilot bit due to the
feed force is smaller than the flushing pressure, which
means that the flushing holes of the bit remain open for
the duration of the drilling. Should the flushing holes get
clogged, their opening can be attempted by increasing
flushing pressure to the maximum allowed and by altering
rotation speed and feed force. Unclogging the holes
may also be attempted by using air as the flushing agent
instead of a liquid. If the unclogging of the flushing holes is
unsuccessful, the pilot bit is extracted from the casing, the
holes are cleared, and drilling is continued subsequently.

The excess water and/or soil material rising up with the

flushing agent may:
disturb the soil layers around the pile
result in a loss of strength in soil layers below the
foundations of adjacent structures or ones to be
underpinned
damage unhardened mantles of near-by freshly
installed grouted piles or other unhardened
concretings in the ground.

When an RD pile encounters a large stone, a boulder or

bedrock, the feed force is kept low and rotation speed
is increased. That reduces the risk of excessive lateral
displacement, inclination and curvature of the pile.
If there is the risk of an RD pile encountering wood material
in the soil during installation, it is recommended that special
bits are used to speed up drilling and ensure successful
penetration. Penetration is generally achieved using
conventional drill bits with larger RD piles, but drilling speed
decreases, and in the case of smaller RD piles, the risk of
failing to drill through wood material is greater. Being able
to drill through pieces of metal in the soil without significant
risk of breaking the equipment is uncertain.

The risk of soil material and/or water rising increases:

in loose, even grained soil layers
in soft, fine-grained soil layers
in different soil layers
when using DTH hammer-based drilling equipment
and direct flushing beneath the water table.

If an RD pile breaks or the drill bit or casing shoe gets

damaged during drilling, so that driving is no longer
possible, an attempt is made to extract the entire pile.
If that is not possible, the pile is generally rejected. In
foundation underpinning it is generally practical to make
a separate assessment of the geotechnical or structural
resistance of a damaged RD pile. The assessment can
then be used as a basis for determining the capacity of
the damaged RD pile to serve as a foundation pile.

An RD pile is drilled to the design depth in bedrock. At

the rock drilling phase, attention is paid to the colour
of the drilling mud, the penetration rate and upflow of
flushing water. It is possible to determine the type of the
bedrock based on them.

If the air used as flushing agent does not exit the soil
around the RD pile, drilling is suspended.

RD piles extending to bedrock ensure that an RD pile

serving as a bearing structure bears reliably on rock after
drilling has reached the target depth in rock. This has to be
paid special attention with the eccentric drilling method.

The impacts of the installation on surrounding soil are

monitored during drilling of RD piles, and any detrimental
impacts are taken into consideration in subsequent
installation.

Control blows are imparted on the heads of RD piles

bearing on rock always after extraction of the drill rods
and the pilot bit. The RD pile pipe may lift off the surface
of the bedrock when the pilot bit and drill rods are
extracted from the RD pile. When using the eccentric
drilling method and a drill bit based on a single reamer
bit, the RD pile always remains the height of the reamer
portion of the pilot bit away from the shelf formed in the
bedrock.

Drilling through coarse-grained soil layers may cause

loosening of compact soil layers or compaction of loose soil
layers. The soil supporting the pile loosens if the volume of
the removed soil material exceeds that of the RD pile.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Drilling in fine-grained soil layers may cause soil disturbance

and an increase in pore water pressure. That results in lower
soil layer strengths. Strength returns quite slowly and in the
case of overconsolidated layers only partially.

Control blows can be imparted, for instance, by a

hammer drill on the upper end of the RD pile.
7.4.4 H
 andling and installation of threaded RD pile
sections and threaded sleeves

Disturbance and an increase in pore water pressure can

be prevented, for instance, by:
selecting a drilling method suited to the ground conditions
limiting used flushing pressure
sequencing pile drilling or extending the duration of
piling work.

7.4.4.1 Reception and inspection

Pile sections are delivered to site with the taper threads
lightly oiled for protection and covered in plastic sheeting.

37

The correspondence of the materials and dimensions of

pile products to designs must be checked during reception.

7.4.4.3 Transport and storage

Pile sections are to be handled in transport and on site
so that threads are not damaged. They can be stored
outdoors, but are to be covered by tarpaulins to prevent
rusting of threads. The tarpaulins should be placed so
as to allow the bundles of piles to dry. It is recommended
that threaded sleeves are stored indoors.

The splice sleeve of an RDs pile is longer than that of

an RD pile of the same size and has an unthreaded
straight portion at both ends. The RDs pile section has a
corresponding straight machined portion, which the RD
pile section does not have. The splice sleeves of RD and
RDs piles must not be mixed between pile types.

Careful handling and storage of pile products prevents

damage to them and ensures smooth installation of
splices.

It must also be checked that the threaded portions of pile

sections have not been damaged in any way. Removal
of protections from threaded sleeves and unnecessary
cutting open of bundles of pile sections must be avoided
before installation.

7.4.4.4 Installation
Drill bits

7.4.4.2 Thread handedness

It is recommended to ensure before drilling starts that

the outside diameter of the used ring bit is compatible
with the outside diameter of the splice sleeve. Table 27
shows drill bits recommended for normal soil conditions.
In case the soil contains hard to penetrate obstacles like
wood piles or concrete structures, special-purpose bits
are to be used as deemed necessary.

The equipment used in pile installation determines the

threading of piles. With DTH equipment, the direction of
rotation of the drill bit is clockwise. Thus, the pile also
tends to rotate clockwise during installation. In order
to ensure that the splices hold, the threads of piles
and sleeves must be left-handed. With top hammer
equipment, the direction of rotation of the drill bit is
counterclockwise meaning that the threads of piles and
sleeves must correspondingly be right-handed.

During the manufacture of longitudinally welded pipes,

burr forms on their interior surface. Removal of the burr
is generally unnecessary when using the most common
drill bits, but the burr should be considered when
choosing the pilot bit. The internal burr can be removed
by special order during the manufacture of a pipe pile.

Handedness can also be checked by turning the sleeve

onto the pile. A right-hand thread tightens when turned
clockwise. A left-hand thread tightens when turned
counterclockwise.

Table 27. Dimensions, tightening torques and recommended reamer bit types and sizes of threaded sleeves.
Pile products
Splice sleeve
RD pile

Required
tightening
torque of
splice,
Atlas Copco Rotex
D
L
[mm] [mm] RD and RDs
piles
[kNm]

Splice sleeve

RDs pile
D
L
[mm] [mm]

RD90/6.3

RDs90/6,3

RD115/6.3

RDs115/6,3

127

120

127

150

RD115/8

RDs115/8
RDs125/6,3

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Drill bits

RD140/8

152.4

140

RDs140/8

152.4

180

RD140/10

152.4

140

RDs140/10

152.4

180

RD170/10

181.9

180

RDs170/10

181.9

210

RD170/12.5 181.9

180

RDs170/12,5 181.9

210

RD220/10

234.9

180

RDs220/10

234.9

210

RD220/12.5 234.9

180

RDs220/12,5 234.9

210

Symmetrix P89/6.3 *
Symmetrix P114/8-61
Symmetrix P114/10-75
Symmetrix P114/8-61
Symmetrix P114/10-75
Symmetrix P140/10-82
Symmetrix P140/10-100
Symmetrix P140/10-82
Symmetrix P140/10-100
Symmetrix P168/12.7-103
Symmetrix P168/12.7-125
Symmetrix P168/12.7-103
Symmetrix P168/12.7-125
Symmetrix P219/12.7-146
Symmetrix P219/12.7-171
Symmetrix P219/12.7-146
Symmetrix P219/12.7-171

Outside
diameter
of ring Robit Roctools
bit
[mm]

Outside
diameter
of ring
bit
[mm]

107

ROX+ RD90/8 *

105

132

DTH-ROX+ RD115/10

134

132

DTH-ROX+ RD115/10

134

158

DTH-ROX+ RD140/10

160

158

DTH-ROX+ RD140/10

160

183

DTH-ROX+ RD170/12,5

188

188

DTH-ROX+ RD170/12,5

188

239

DTH-ROX+ RD220/12,5

240

239

DTH-ROX+ RD220/12,5

240

Note: All ring bits are for DTH hammer equipment except those marked with an asterisk (*), which are meant for top hammer drilling
equipment. When using a DTH hammer, the threads of the pile pipe and the sleeve are left-handed, but right-handed when a
top hammer is used.
38

Protection of threads

7.5 Splicing of steel pipe piles by welding

Care must be taken not to damage the threads while

raising a pile section upright. Light pile sections may
be raised upright without mechanical protection of the
ends. It is recommended to protect heavier sections,
for instance, by a protective cap or sleeve of plastic or
metal. The protection may be of the screw-on type or
one that is locked mechanically onto the section.

All steels used in Ruukki steel piles are highly weldable.

7.5.1 Welding Plan
A detailed welding plan is drawn up as part of the piling
plan. The welding plan is to include the following:
steel grade
weld quality level
welding procedure
welding consumables
possible preheating
welding conditions
types of joint preparation
welding positions
a welding procedure specification (WPS)
welding procedure tests, when required
production weld test, when required
welder qualifications
after-treatment of welds, if required
weld inspection instructions

Cleaning and lubrication

Before screwing the sleeve into place, it must be
ensured that the end of the pile section and the threads
in the sleeve are clean and undamaged. The threads
are to be cleaned with a brush, water or compressed air,
if necessary. If surface rust has formed in the threads
during storage, it is recommended to remove the rust
before installation, for example, by a steel brush.
To ensure proper tightening of the threaded sleeve,
the cleaned threads of the pile section and/or threaded
sleeve should be lubricated, for instance, with a
biodegradable lubricant before installing the sleeve. Use
of viscous lubricating grease may, especially under cold
conditions, make tightening of the splice more difficult.

7.5.2 Welding quality requirements

The welding, inspection, testing, and related functions
are to meet at least the requirements of Standard SFS
EN 3834-4.

Tightening
When installing the splice, proper engagement of
the threads must be ensured. The sleeve is screwed
manually onto the pile section and is then pre-tightened
by chain tongs or the rotary unit of the piling equipment.
Then the upper pile section is installed and final
tightening to at least the required tightening torque is
performed. The minimum values of required tightening
torques are presented in Table 27. Use of the minimum
values requires that threads are clean and there are no
mechanical damages to the threads.

Welded joints are usually sufficiently strong and ductile

provided that the welding procedure has been carried
out carefully. In exacting applications, the mechanical
properties of welded joints may also be ensured through
welding procedure tests and/or production weld tests.
Unless otherwise specified in the designs, the weld quality
levels required for pile splices according to standard SFSEN ISO 5817 are determined as indicated in Table 28.

During final tightening care must be taken not to

squeeze the splice which prevents its tightening. The
lower and upper pile elements should be gripped when
tightening, not the sleeve, especially when tightening is
done by piling equipment.

Table 28. Weld quality levels required of steel pile

splices (SFS-EN ISO 5817)
Piling
class

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

The threaded sleeve splice is dimensioned so as to meet

the set requirements at the minimum tightening torque
values presented in Table 27 even if the heads of the
pile elements are not in contact. Bringing the heads into
contact normally requires a higher than recommended
tightening torque.

Consequence class
CC1

CC2

CC3

PTL3

PTL2

PTL1

If a RR or RD pile only acts as a casing (not a loadbearing structural member), weld quality class is D.
If the weld quality level requirement of Table 28 is
not observed, the weld quality level is to be selected
considering static and dynamic loads on the structure,
39

the operating conditions of the structure, as well as the

consequences of possible damage and treatments after
welding. Concerning loads on the structure, both loads
at the pile installation stage and those occurring during
operation must be considered.
7.5.3 Qualification of Welders

of qualification. Qualification tests must correspond to

the requirements of the work. Factors to be considered
include welding procedure, type of joint, steel grade,
material thickness, external pipe diameter, and welding
position as indicated in the standard. Qualification test
welds are normally to be made on pipe. Test welds on
plate are acceptable with pile diameters over 500 mm.

The welders must have passed the test indicated

in Standard EN 287-1 (Qualification test of welders.
Fusion Welding. Part 1: Steels). The welding contractor
must ensure that the welders carry valid certificates

In the case of manual metal arc welding with covered

electrode, the welders competence can be ascertained,
for example, by a single-sided test weld on pipe without
backing as follows:

Table 29. Example of qualification test for manual metal arc welder
SFS-EN 287-1: 111 T BW W01 B t10.0 D168 PC ss nb
Explanation:
111

Manual metal arc welding

Pipe

BW

Butt splice

2.1

Group of basic materials according to CEN ISO/TR 15608 and CEN ISO/TR 20172:2009
(qualifies for Ruukki steel grades S355 to S460 and X60)

Base-coated electrode

t10.0

Weld test on pipe of 10 mm wall thickness, qualifies for thicknesses t = 3 to 20 mm

D168

Test on pipe 168 mm in diameter, qualifies for diameters D >_ 84 mm

PC

Welding position PC, pipe in upright position, qualifies also for splice welding

ss

Single side welding

nb

No backing (qualifies also for welding with backing)

Welding of steel grades S550J2H and X70 requires passing a qualification test with the steel of the group of basic materials 2.2

Table 30. Selection of welding consumable

Steel
grade

Mechanical properties of weld metal

(EN ISO 2560 and 18275 covered electrodes and EN ISO 14341, 17632 and 18276 for tubular cored electrodes)
Yield strength1

Impact strength2

Covered electrode, examples

Tubular cored electrode, examples

S355J2H

35

ESAB OK 48.00

TRI-MARK TM-770, ESAB OK Tubrod 15.14

S440J2H

46

ESAB OK 55.00, ESAB OK 48.08

TRI-MARK TM-770, ESAB OK Tubrod 15.14

S550J2H

55

ESAB OK 74.78

TRI-MARK TM-881 K2, ESAB OK Tubrod 15.07

X60

42

ESAB OK 48.00

TRI-MARK TM-770, ESAB OK Tubrod 15.14

X70

50

ESAB OK 74.78

TRI-MARK TM-881 K2, ESAB OK Tubrod 15.11

Yield srength values of all-weld metal

Testing temperature of 47 J impact energy of all-weld metal: 0=0C, 2=-20C.
35 = minimum yield strength: 350 MPa
42 = minimum yield strength: 420 MPa
46 = minimum yield strength: 460 MPa
50 = minimum yield strength: 500 MPa
55 = minimum yield strength: 550 MPa

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

1)
2)

40

7.5.4 Welding Procedures

Table 31. Designation of welding electrodes and cored

electrodes.

Manual metal arc welding is the conventional welding

procedure for splicing steel piles on sites. It is a
versatile and fl exible method that uses simple, easily
transportable equipment.

Covered electrodes:
ESAB OK 48.00: SFS-EN ISO 2560: E 42 4 B 42 H5
ESAB OK 48.08: SFS-EN ISO 2560: E 46 5 1Ni B 32 H5
ESAB OK 55.00: SFS-EN ISO 2560: E 46 5 B 32 H5
ESAB OK 74.78: SFS-EN 18275: E 55 4 MnMo B 32

Flux cored arc welding is a more modern welding

procedure. Its advantages include high efficiency,
consistent weld quality and suitability for mechanised
production. Different types of welding nozzle conveyors
attachable to the pipe are available for mechanised
flux cored arc welding. These devices facilitate work in
cramped spaces, such as underpinning sites, where
piles must be positioned close to a wall. The space
between pile and wall may be as narrow as 150 mm.
When welding with shielding gas, it may be necessary to
use screens to prevent the detrimental effect of wind and
draught. There are also cored filler wires on the market
that can be used without shielding gas.

Tubular cored electrodes:

TRI-MARK TM-770: SFS-EN ISO 17632 T 42 2 P M 2 H10
TRI-MARK TM-881 K2: AWS E81T1-K2J, E81T1-K2 MJ H8
ESAB OK Tubrod 15.14: SFS-EN ISO 17632 T 46 2 P M/C 2 H10
ESAB OK Tubrod 15.11: SFS-EN ISO 17632 T 50 6 2Ni P M 2 H5

When welding together pile sections of different strength or

type, the filler is generally selected according to the softer
or less alloyed steel grade. However, when for instance
welding fixtures, etc. to a pile, the filler is selected on the
basis of the more alloyed steel (pile) in order that the filler
to be incorporated into the pipe wall is sufficiently alloyed.
Covered electrodes must be of the basic type, indicated
by the letter B (basic) in the designation.

Workshop welding may be carried out by any welding

procedure for non-alloy steels.

When necessary, subject to agreement between the

parties, the root run can be welded with filler material
of lower strength than the parent metal. The coatings
of covered electrodes and some cores of tubular cored
electrodes being hygroscopic, they easily absorb moisture
from ambient air. Moisture may cause gas pores, splatter
and, in the worst case, hydrogen cracking in the weld.
Therefore, it is important to handle and store these products
carefully. The contractor is obliged to ensure that filler
materials remain dry on site. They are to be stored in a dry
and warm space which prevents moisture from condensing
inside the package due to variations in temperature.

7.5.5 Welding Consumables

The standards for covered electrodes are EN ISO
2560 (Welding consumables. Covered electrodes for
manual metal arc welding of non-alloy and fine grain
steels. Classification) and EN ISO 18275 (Welding
consumables. Covered electrodes for manual metal arc
welding of high strength steels. Classification).
The standards for cored wires and rods are SFS-EN
17632 (Welding consumables. Tubular cored electrodes
for metal arc welding with and without a gas shield of
non-alloy and fine grain steels. Classification), EN ISO
14341 (Welding consumables. Wire electrodes and weld
deposits for gas shielded metal arc welding of non alloy
and fine grain steels. Classification) and EN ISO 18276
(Welding consumables. Tubular cored electrodes for
gas-shielded and non-gas-shielded metal arc welding of
high-strength steels. Classification.)

At the actual welding site, filler materials are to be

protected from rain, etc. and electrodes to be kept in a
separate heated quiver from which the welder withdraws
them one at a time. Electrodes are also available in
hermetically sealed packages. Each package contains
just a few electrodes which can be used within 4 hours
of opening the package without the risk of humidification.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Filler materials are to meet the above standard

specifications.

Moist or otherwise damaged filler materials must not

be used. Wet electrodes can be dried according to the
manufacturers instructions, for example at +300C to
+400C for 2 to 3 hours.

Filler materials are chosen on the basis of the strength

and impact-strength requirements of the steel grade
of the piles according to Table 30 or Ruukkis manual
Kuumavalssatut kelat ja -levyt, Materiaalivalinta,
Hitsausaineet. The complete classification specifications
of the welding consumables presented in Table 30
according to standard SFS-EN are as shown in Table 31:

When welding is finished, the coils of tubular cored

electrode should be removed from the machine and
taken to a dry and warm place for storage.
7.5.6 Welding Conditions
Weather is a major factor affecting weld quality and the
welders working conditions. Welding conditions that
enable attaining the planned quality level must be provided.
If necessary, the welding site should be appropriately
protected against wind and rain, and it should also be
41

of the same steel as the pile sections to be connected.

Ceramic backings can also be used. The backing should
be of sufficient width, usually no less than 50 mm, and at
least 5 mm thick. The backing is to be fitted symmetrically
in relation to the groove and fastened in advance by
intermittent welds (fixed backing) or, for instance, with
adhesive tape (ceramic backing) inside the pile.

sufficiently lit. Anvils should be level and stable so the

welder can carry out his work properly and safely.
For welding in sub-zero conditions, it is important to
provide tolerable working conditions for the welder.
When ambient air is cold, moisture condenses on metal
surfaces which requires preheating them to +50 to
+100C to remove the moisture, even though the steel
itself requires no preheating.

When backing is used, the weld reinforcement inside the

pipe is to be ground level with the pipe surface. No air
gap is allowed between the backing and the pipe wall.
Recommended types of joint preparation for welding with
backing are shown in Fig. 14.

Proper earthing is essential in assuring weld quality.

The earth cable must be dimensioned to match the weld
cable and be connected directly to the workpiece. The
earthing point must be metallically clean.

The types of joint preparation presented in Figure 13 can

be used for mechanised welding, provided that the root
run is deposited manually. The types of joint preparation
shown in Figure 14 can be used in fully mechanised
welding. There, also the root run is preferably deposited
by machine. A special type of joint preparation has been
developed for that where a machined tongue functions
as backing (See Fig. 3). With this type of joint preparation,
the welding parameters should be selected so that the
machined backing (tongue) melts, full penetration is
achieved, and lack of fusion and incomplete penetration
(root defects) are avoided.

7.5.7 Joint Preparation

30
2-4

60

As pipe piles are welded from the outside, the type of

joint preparation must be such as to enable sufficient
penetration and an even root reinforcement on the
inside. It is particularly important to have a proper air gap
to ensure full penetration.

2-4

0-2

Figure 13. Types of joint preparation for welding without

backing.

60
30

60
4-6

4-6

0-2

4-6

0-2

0-2

Recommendations for correct types of joint preparation

are given in Standard EN ISO 9692-1 (Welding and
allied processes. Recommendations for joint preparation.
Part 1: Manual metal-arc welding, gas-shielded metal
arc welding, gas welding, TIG welding and beam
welding of steels). Single bevel preparation and single
V preparation are the most common types of joint
preparation. Single V preparation is suitable for welding
in all positions. Single bevel preparation is preferable for
welding upright piles. Single V joint preparation is used
to splice full-length piles delivered from the works. If piles
need to be crosscut on site, the groove may also be
prepared as a single bevel preparation, that is, a square
edge against a beveled edge. Pile ends damaged during
transport or installation must be repaired before splicing.
Recommendations for correct types of joint preparation
for welding without backing are presented in Figure 13.

Figure 14. Types of joint preparation for welding with backing.

60

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

60

0-2

2-4

Pile pipes are usually delivered from the works with the
ends beveled for welding (30) and a root face of 1.6
mm 0.8 mm. On site, piles are usually cut by a flame
cutting or grinding. It is recommended that the cutting
line is marked all the way around the pile circumference
in order that the cut is made perpendicular to the piles
centre line. Manual cutting often leaves a ragged pile end
and which is not sufficiently straight. Such defects must
be repaired with a grinder. The bevels are to be produced
by flame cutting and/or grinding. Flame-cut surfaces must
always be ground to render them clean for welding. For
mechanised welding bevels are to be made by turning.

0-2

Under humid and wet conditions, the welder must be

properly protected against electrical accidents.

In splice welding of piles, the use of backing on the inside

of the groove is recommended. A fixed backing should be

Figure 15. Joint preparation for fully mechanised welding.

42

Piling can be continued when the weld is cooled below

500 degrees.

7.5.8 Preheating
Preheating decelerates the cooling of the welded joint
and lessens the degree of hardening. This prevents
the formation of a hard and brittle zone in the HAZ, and
thereby the development of hydrogen cracks. The need
of preheating depends on steel grade, material thickness,
filler metal (hydrogen content), heat input and welding
conditions. High-strength steel, thick material, high
hydrogen content (e.g. moist electrodes) and low heat
input are factors that increase the need of preheating. More
detailed instructions for the selection of preheating can be
found for example, in Ruukkis manual Hot rolled steel
plates, sheets and coils. Welding. Usually, for example, no
preheating is required when welding S355 steel less than
20 mm thick provided that dry basic electrodes are used.
Moist electrodes must always be dried before use. When
welding at temperatures below +10C, the pile ends are to
be preheated to +50 to +100C before starting the work.

7.5.10 Inspection of Welded splices

Inspection of welds is conducted in accordance with the
requirements and scope of inspection specified in the
design documents. Unless otherwise specified, the following
is to be observed in the inspection requirements and scope:
In piling class 1 sites, all welds of piles are first
examined visually. Visual inspection is aimed to detect
any imperfections in weld dimensions, misalignments,
undercuts, defects breaking the surface, etc.
At piling class 2 sites, the welder is usually required to
make a so-called production weld test before starting the
work, where two pile pipes are joined by welding according
to the welding instructions. The result must meet the
requirements of the required weld quality level in terms of
observable errors. The results of the production weld test
are recorded in the piling inspection documents.

7.5.9 Welding
Pile ends must be clean inside and out for a distance of
about 50 mm on each side of the groove. If necessary,
any impurities, grease, moisture, rust, etc. is to be
removed as they are likely to cause welding defects
and thereby impair the quality of the weld. Any possible
backing must also be cleaned, if necessary.

Besides the production weld test and visual inspection, piling

class 3 sites usually require inspecting at least 10 % of the
welds by a non-destructive test (NDT), such as an ultrasound
test. Test length is the entire weld, that is, one weld out of ten
is inspected entirely, unless otherwise agreed.
Table 32 presents the number of NDT tests on
welded splices in different welding quality levels and
consequence classes.

After joint preparation and cleaning, the pile ends are

centred and carefully fitted together so that the inner
surfaces of the two pile sections are aligned and the
required air gap remains between them (see Figures
13 and 14). The fitting of the pile ends together can be
facilitated by welding guide blocks onto one pile; they are
removed after tacking. There also are special devices
on the market for centring pipes. Wedges, electrode
core wires (e.g. 3.2 mm), etc. can be used to ensure the
required gap width; they are removed after tacking.

Table 32. Number of NDT tests on the welded splices of

compression loaded steel piles in different piling classes
and consequence classes.
Piling
class

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

If the gap width varies, it must be ensured that it meets

the minimum requirement even at its narrowest point.
Any difference in root face height must be eliminated by
grinding before aligning the pile sections. Thereafter, the
pile ends are connected by short tack welds. If a tack
weld is left in the groove as part of the root run, the ends
of tack welds must be carefully ground to remove any
crater pipes and to ensure full penetration.

Number of NDT tests, percentage of welds

CC1

CC2

CC3

PTL3

10

15

PTL2

10

NDT tests on compression loaded piles can be made

right after the welding when the weld has cooled down
sufficiently for the test.

A 2.5 mm electrode is recommended for the manual

welding of root runs. Filling and capping runs are usually
made with 3.2 mm electrodes. With thick-walled pipes,
even thicker electrodes may be used for filling and
capping runs. The most common wire diameter of a
tubular cored electrode is 1.2 mm. However, tubular cored
electrodes ranging from 0.9 mm to 1.6 mm are available
depending on the intended application and requirements.

With tension piles the minimum cooling times of Table 23 in

SFS-EN 1090-2 are to be observed before performing NDT
tests, unless otherwise agreed for an individual project.
If mechanised welding is used, for example, in foundation
underpinning projects where the number of splices per
pile is large, the number of tests is always indicated in the
designs. Generally tests are made for 10 % of all piles
and for at least two welds per pile. The test is started with
the first weld and cover, for example, internal defects of
the weld and defects of the root side of the weld. Defects

The supplier of the welding apparatus provides the

necessary training for mechanised welding.
43

exceeding the limit values of weld quality levels specified

in standard SFS-EN ISO 5817 and affecting strength are
repaired. Repaired welds are tested anew, and two other
welds are also tested.

possible drilling mud in the piles is rinsed off with water. A

pile can normally be assumed to be clean when the water
rising up is clean.
The possible cleaning of piles with an open lower end is
planned and implemented case by case.

NDT tests may be carried out and rated only by an

inspector with adequate qualification. Level 2 of standard
SFS-EN 473 can be considered adequate qualification.
The tests are documented for each joint in a test record
to be attached to the inspection record of the piling.

7.8 Reinforcement and concreting of piles

Reinforcement steels are to conform to SFS-EN 10080;
other steels can be used if their properties meet the
requirements of SFS-EN 1992-1.

7.6 Pile cut-off

Steel piles are cut at the design cut-off elevations at right
angles to their longitudinal axis. Cutting may be performed
by a cutting wheel or a flame cutter. Any possible burrs
from cutting are removed by a grinding wheel. The required
squareness of the finished cut-off end is <2.0% and flatness
<2 mm in relation to the perpendicularity of the axis of the
pile unless otherwise indicated in the design.

Bar reinforcement of steel piles is done according to Ch. 2,

Sec. 4.6.2 of PO-2011, taking into account, for instance, the
minimum amounts of longitudinal steels, clearance between
steel bars, limitations on concentric longitudinal bar layers,
and transverse steels. According to Standard EN 12699
(Displacement piles), the thickness of the concrete cover
between the inner surface of a pile and the outer surface
of principal reinforcement must be at least 40 mm. When
smaller diameter pipe is used as reinforcement, the minimum
concrete cover is 25 mm according to PO-2011.

It is recommended that ends of steel piles are closed after

cutting so that no foreign matter gets inside. Reliable closing
of the pile ends of RD pile wall structures is essential for job
safety since there is the risk of compressed air and drilling
sludge suddenly discharging up through already installed
piles when drilling close to the target level.

The assembly and joining of rebar cages is done according

to Ch. 2, Secs. 5.5.1 and 5.5.2 of PO-2011 whereas the
jigs and centralisers and installation are in accordance with
Secs. 5.5.3 and 5.5.4 of PO-2011. It must be ensured that
the pile is clean before the reinforcement is installed in it.

The rules of procedure must be paid particular attention

when cutting RR/RD piles so that the part to be removed
can not be lifted / fell directly away. In this case the part
which will be removed must be "peeled open". Due to
the manufacturing methods of pile pipes, there might
be stresses left in them. Therefore the longitudinal cut
must be made first for the whole length of the part to be
removed. After the longitudinal cut has been made, the pile
can be cut normally from the design cut-off elevation.

The portions of Secs. 5.7.1, 5.7.2, 5.7.3 and 5.7.4 of PO-2011

applicable to steel pipe piles are observed in concreting.
Concrete is mixed and its compliance verified according to
Standard SFS-EN 206-1.
The design strength class of concrete, grouting mortar or
injection grout must be at least C20/25, and the mixing
ratio and consistency of fresh concrete must conform to
Ch. 2, Tables 3.1 and 3.2 of PO-2011, when steel piles are
dimensioned as composite structures. If the concrete or
grouting mortar serves only as a filler to prevent potential
slight corrosion inside piles, strength class C16/20 is
also possible even C12/15 with RR piles with a closed
lower end assuming that the concrete is not subject to
chemical or freeze-thaw stress.
The ingredients used in the production of the concrete,
grouting mortar and injection grout must conform to
PO-2011 as follows:
cement SFS-EN 197-1
aggregate SFS-EN 12620
water SFS-EN 1008
admixtures SFS-EN 206-1 and SFS-EN 934-2.

Figure 16.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

7.7 Pile cleaning

The cleanness of RR and RD piles with a closed lower
end to be concreted is checked before concreting and
any possible impurities are removed.

When grouting mortar is used, the grain size distribution

must be the following:
d85 4 mm
d100 8 mm

RD piles are generally flushed with compressed air

in connection with the extraction of the pilot bit. Any
44

Shaft grouted RR piles can also be pressed in the

ground by hydraulic jacks. Then, grout must be fed with a
separate pressurising pump.

The maximum water-cement ratio of grouting mortar is 0.6.

With pile diameters under 200 mm (RR75 to RR/RD170),
grouting mortar is used in pile concreting. Concrete can
be used with larger diameters.

7.10.2 Driving of pile into soil and its splicing

Dry concreting is used whenever possible. Prior to concreting,

it must be ensured that the pile pipe is clean. Water-filled pile
pipes are pumped empty before concreting. Water may enter
driven piles equipped with mechanical shoes and splices
through them. Generally water enters a pile pipe so slowly
that dry concreting is possible as long as the pile is pumped
empty a little before concreting.
In the case of RD piles drilled in bedrock, the amount of water
coming in through the open bottom may be so large that dry
concreting is impossible. Then, a concrete plug can be cast
at the bottom of the pile by tremie. Separation of the concrete
must then be minimised, for instance, by proportioning or
suitable admixtures or a flexible dropchute. When the bottom
of the pile has been made water-tight, the water is pumped
out and the pile is reinforced and concreted.

A grouted driven RR pile must be installed without

interruption or damage to the pile. Driving must be effected
by blows centric to the long axis of the pile. The instructions
for RR piles are to be followed in the driving (Sec. 7.3).
Before driving a pile, the tip of the guiding section is
plugged by a bottom plate or rock shoe attached using,
for example, a sledge hammer.
A grouted driven RR pile is spliced the same way as an
ungrouted one. If the pile remains bearing on soil layers,
sufficient tightening of splices must be ensured. If necessary,
a splice must be welded to the pile pipe to secure the splice.
Pile driving is stopped at target depth. Driving of a
grouted pile designed to be mainly end-bearing can also
stop as the end-of-driving criteria have been met.

When piles are dimensioned and implemented as

composite structures, or when a high capacity steel pile
serves only as a mould in the final structure, the concrete at
the upper ends of piles is revibrated over a distance of 1.5
m. Before revibration, separated low-grade mass has to be
removed from the surface of the concrete.
7.9 Bearing plate installation
Standard bearing plates (Table 12) are installed centrically
on pile pipes using the bush in the plate. In the case of piles
to be concreted, the bearing plate is pressed centrically
onto the pile head after concreting. When vibrating
concrete structures to be suspended on piles, it must be
ensured that the bearing plate does not rise.

The installation of a grouted driven RR pile is described

in Figure 16.
7.10.3 Grout injection
Injected grout is fed into the pile pipe in a continuous
stream during pile driving. Pile penetration rate should
be adjusted to correspond to grout injection rate. In the
case of shaft grouted CSG-RR piles and jacked-RR piles,
the grout from the mixer is fed inside the piles through an
adapter attached to their upper end.

Special care must be taken in casting piles dimensioned

as composite structures and installing the bearing plates.
No clearance is allowed between the underside of the
bearing plate and concrete. If necessary, perforated
bearing plates are to be used to enable post-injection
of any possible void under the plate.
If the joint between a bearing plate and a pile is subject to
shear or moment stresses, the plate is welded to the pile
pipe.
7.10 Installation of shaft grouted CSG-RR piles

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

7.10.1 Installation equipment

A shaft grouted driven CSG-RR pile can be installed with
the same driving equipment as an ungrouted RR driven
pile. Use of slow-stroke drop or hydraulic hammers to
install a pile may cause cement separation and impede
grout feed. With pneumatic hammers and hydraulic rams
the risk is considerably smaller.

Figure 17. Installation of a shaft grouted CSG-RR pile:

1) initiation of driving, 2) grout feed, 3) pile driving and
grout feed, 4) extension of pile by an external splice
sleeve, 5) continuation of pile driving and grout feed,
6) finished pile.
45

8.2 Quality control of materials

The blows imparted by the equipment used to drive shaft

grouted CSG-RR piles cause short pressure shocks in
the grout, even in excess of 1MPa, which increase its
penetration efficiency into hole around the pile pipe.

Quality control of materials is implemented according to

Ch. 2, Sec. 6.1.2 of PO-2011 and their documentation
according to Ch.2, Sec. 7.3 of PO-2001.

Grouting may be either gravity grouting, where the grout

flows freely into the pipe pile, or pump pressurised.
Gravity grouting is used most often. In the case of long
piles (over 15 m), or those extending substantially below
the water table, pressurised grouting is recommended.
The injection rate of gravity pumping equipment may
be insufficient with long piles. Groundwater pressure
pushes water into the pile pipe if grouting pressure is
less than prevailing water pressure.

8.3 Monitoring measurements during installation

Monitoring measurements during installation are done
according to Ch.2, Sec. 6.2 of PO-2011. Valid guidelines
of the Finnish Transport Agency are observed in
infrastructure projects. Monitoring measurements are
documented as defined in Ch. 2, Sec. 7.3 of PO-2011.
The straightness of RR and RD piles is checked and
documented after their installation. Straightness can
be evaluated by the so-called torch method. It involves
lowering a torch down a pile pipe suspended on a tape
measure and measuring the depth at which the source
of light can no longer be seen. Figures 18 and 19 show
radii of curvature calculated for various piles based on
the torch method. The formula presented in the figures
expresses pile diameter and wall thickness in millimetres.

The pressure used to pressurise the grout depends

on the soil layers to be penetrated and their possible
shearing. The average recommended pressure for
pressurising grout is 0.5 to 2.5 MPa.
The grout may be either injection grout or grouting
mortar. Injection grout is a mixture of water and cement
that may contain a maximum amount of aggregate
(max. grain size <2 mm) equal to the amount of cement
expressed as percentage by weight. Grouting mortar
consists of aggregate (max. grain size normally <2 mm)
in addition to water and cement.

Curvature of RR75 to RR/RD140/10 based on torch method

The water-cement ratio of the grout must be suitable

for the ground conditions, in any event lower than 0.55.
The compressive strength of grout at 28 days must be
at least 25 MPa (C20/25). Used grout must not contain
ingredients that predispose to corrosion or aggravate it.
R=

The pile designer gives instructions for the mixing of the

grout, its admixtures, and the tests to be conducted prior
to its use to determine its consistency, separation and
shrinking. Grouting mortar is always mixed according to
the instructions of the designer.

Figure 18. Assessment of curvature of RR75 to

RR/RD140/10 piles by the torch method.

8. S
 UPERVISION AND QUALITY CONTROL
OF PILING WORK, MEASUREMENTS
8.1 Supervision and monitoring of piling work

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

125 * z2
(D - 2 * t)

Curvature of RR/RD170 to RR/RD270 based on torch method

Supervision and monitoring of the installation of steel

piles is implemented according to Ch. 2, Sec. 6.1 of
PO-2011. The quality control of steel pile installation
is based on the implementation and quality plan of the
site (PO-2011, Ch. 2, Sec. 5.1). The piling manager is
responsible for quality control and related measures.
The piling manager may be assisted in the monitoring
of piling work by an external supervisor and/or the sites
responsible foundation engineer who provides expert
monitoring services. The valid rules and regulations of the
Finnish Transport Agency are observed in the supervision
and monitoring of piling in infrastructure projects.

R=

125 * z2
(D - 2 * t)

Figure 19. Assessment of curvature of RR/RD170/10

to RR/RD270/12.5 piles by the torch method.

46

The torch method provides an estimate of the radius

of curvature of the upper pile end to the depth at which
the light source vanishes from sight. In the case of long
piles, the radius of curvature below the vanishing point
cannot be estimated by the method. When the light
source is visible at the bottom of the pile, the minimum
radius is as shown in Figures 18 or 19, but it is generally
considerably larger, especially as pile size increases.
With larger pile diameters the light source allows
determining visually, for example, the existence of local
more curved sections towards the bottom of the pile.

9. DOCUMENTATION OF PILING WORK

If necessary, the curvature of piles can be determined

more accurately by an inclinometer. Inclinometer
measurements are generally used with piles driven in
thick cohesion soils primarily at foundation underpinning
sites.

Documentation of piling is done according to EN

1997-1 and Ch. 2, Sec. 7.2 of PO-2011. Piling records
applicable to Ruukki steel piles are presented in
Appendix 4.

9.1 General
In building construction projects all piling documents
are compiled into a construction inspection document
according to Ch. 2, Sec. 7.1 of PO-2011. In infrastructure
projects documentation is done according to the valid
rules and regulations of the Finnish Transport Agency.
9.2 Piling records

9.3 Outcome drawing and other piling documents

Piles that do not meet straightness requirements are

reported to the responsible foundation engineer of the
site who decides on further measures.

The piling outcome drawing is made after completion of

piling works. The content and preparation of the outcome
drawing are according to Ch. 2, Sec. 7.4 of PO-2011.
Monitoring measurements are documented according to
Ch. 2, Sec. 7.3 of PO-2011.

The radius of curvature estimated by the torch method

or measured by an inclinometer is compared to the
radius used in dimensioning. The comparison must
consider the soil layers: the strength of the pile structure
has generally been dimensioned for the weakest soil
section. Pile curvature may be considerably smaller in
coarse-grained than in cohesion soil layers thanks to
the strong lateral support. If the radius of curvature is,
or is estimated to be, smaller than in dimensioning, a
dimensioning value is calculated for pile strength based
on it, which is compared to the design value of the load
taken by the pile.

10. WORK SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION
Work safety and environmental protection are according
to Ch. 2, Sec. 8 of PO-2011.
Instructions on the safe handling of Ruukki piles are
found in Piles and pile accessories, recommendations
for safe handling on site which advise on safe handling
of pile products and accessories before actual piling.
Section 7 of these instructions is observed in piling.
A special work safety aspect concerning steel pipe piling
is the reliable closing of the ends of open pile pipes after
installation.

8.4 Testing of piles

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Implemented according to Ch.2, Sec. 6.3 of PO-2011.

The test methods applicable to steel piles are indicated
in Sec. 5.5. Tests are documented according to Ch. 2,
Sec. 7.3 of PO-2011.

47

11. END-OF-DRIVING TABLES

Drop and hydraulic hammers up to 2000 kg have been

analysed using the SELF PJ hammer model created for
GRLWEAP using typical moving part dimensions based
on hammer weight. Drop and hydraulic hammers have
been calculated with the same driving equipment model
using 80% as the efficiency of the drop hammer and
90% for the hydraulic hammer.

11.1 General
The end-of-driving tables and graphs have been prepared
on the basis of analyses made using the GRLWEAP
program built on the one-dimensional wave theory according
to the main principles of Ch. 1, App. 2 of PO-2011.

In the modelling of 3000 to 9000 kg drop and hydraulic

hammers, the Junttan HHK hammer models have been
used as follows:
the efficiency assigned to drop hammers was 80%
the efficiency assigned to hydraulic hammers was
95%

The end-of-driving tables present five different ultimate

geotechnical resistance values (Rc) for each pile size,
pile length and driving equipment. In addition to the
Rk, geo, max values corresponding to piling classes PTL1
to 3, the tables also present the smaller than maximum
values corresponding to PTL2 and PTL3. The reduced
value of PTL2 is about 88 to 90% of its maximum value,
and the reduced value of PTL3 is the average of the
maximum values of PTL2 and PTL3 corresponding to
80% of the yield strength of steel. The reduced values are
presented to facilitate setting appropriate end-of-driving
criteria in situations where the goal is not to attain the
maximum values of the piling class in question. End-ofdriving curves have also been drawn for hydraulic rams
and pneumatic hammers as function of geotechnical
resistance end-of-driving settlement. The end-of-driving
tables and graphs are suitable for steel piles serving as
end-bearing piles.

Pile cushion values of Junttan have been used in

modeling 3000 and 4000 kg hammers up to pile
size RR170/12.5. With other driving equipment/pile
combinations calculations have been made ignoring pile
cushions.
11.2.2 Instructions for use of end-of-driving tables
The end-of-driving settlement of piles driven by hammers
is always 10 mm/10 blows in PTL1 and PTL2, while in
PLT3 it is 7 mm/10 blows.
The tables present with an accuracy of 0.05 m the
required drop height for the combination of hammer
weight, pile size and length, and intended geotechnical
ultimate resistance and design value of resistance of
each pile. The maximum allowed drop height used is
the highest value suggested for each combination.
When a value is given in parentheses in connection
with maximum drop height, it refers to the fact that when
maximum drop height is used, the maximum stress on
the pile is 90% according to modelling, and that using
the drop height in calculation will produce the ultimate
geotechnical resistance indicated in parentheses. Drop
heights can be interpolated on the basis of pile length.

The end-of-driving tables present the design geotechnical

resistance values (Rd) of piles. The Rd values apply in the
case of so-called non-rigid structures. In PTL3, Rd values
are calculated using a correlation coefficient 5 of 1.47.
End-of-driving criteria have been calculated for three pile
lengths: 10, 20 and 30 m.
11.2 Drop and hydraulic hammers
11.2.1 Basics of modelling

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

In connection with the building of the soil model, the

number of final blows imparted with drop and hydraulic
hammers was determined using a shaft resistance of
10% of the total ultimate geotechnical resistance of a
pile and shaft resistance distributed evenly in the form
of a downward expanding triangle. The used Smith
damping factor (Js) is 0.23 s/m, which corresponds to the
typical piling conditions for the above-mentioned shaft
resistance distribution where about half of the pile lies in
cohesion soil and the rest in friction soil. Otherwise, the
dynamic soil parameters of App. 2 of PO-2011 are used
in creating the soil model.

The drop heights of the end-of-driving tables of piling

class PTL3 are tentative. Mobilising geotechnical
resistance and stresses on the pile during driving must
be determined on the basis of PDA measurements.
In case the driving equipment includes an impact
energy tester found reliable, the required impact energy
can be determined as follows: required impact energy
[kNm] = hammer weight of table [kg] x drop height [m] x
efficiency given in table [-] x 0.00981. If the efficiency of
the driving equipment is known from measurements to
be something other than the 80% or 95% of the tables,
drop height can be changed to correspond to actual
efficiency.

elastic compression of soil under the tip before quake

qt = D/120 [mm]
elastic compression of soil around pile before quake qs
= 2.5 mm
Smiths damping factor at pile tip, Jt = 0.5*(25/ t)
[s/m], (t [MPa] = soil failure stress under pile tip)
48

11.3.2 Instructions for use of end-of-driving graphs

and tables

Example 1:
Pile RR170/10, length 20 m, driving equipment: 4
t hydraulic hammer, design value of geotechnical
resistance is the maximum value for PTL2 (Rd 893 kN).

The end-of-driving settlement (mm/30 s) corresponding

to the ultimate geotechnical resistance (Rc) and the
design value (Rd) of geotechnical resistance is presented
in the end-of-driving tables for each hammer, pile
size and pile length. In case calculated end-of-driving
settlement exceeds 100 mm/30 s, the magnitude of
end-of-driving settlement is limited to 100 mm/30 s
in the table. An end-of-driving settlement exceeding
100 mm/30 s can be used case-specifically, but then it
must be taken into account that the actual number of
hammer blows may decrease as settlement increases. If
simulation indicates that a hammer is unable to mobilise
the required geotechnical resistance, the table shows
the mobilised geotechnical ultimate resistance when
settlement <2 mm/30 s.

According to the end-of-driving table drop height is

0.65 m, end-of driving settlement 10 mm/10 blows.
Example 2:
Pile RR170/10, length 17 m, driving equipment:
4 t accelerated hydraulic hammer (measured efficiency
100%), Rd 893 kN.
Drop height is interpolated based on 10 and 20 m pile
lengths -> 0.6 m, efficiency of driving equipment is
considered, drop height is 95%/100% * 0.6 m = 0.57 m,
rounded to 0,55 m, end-of-driving settlement
10 mm/10 blows.

End-of-driving graphs show the calculated geotechnical

ultimate resistance (Rc) with respect to end-ofdriving settlement. If the targeted design value (Rd) of
geotechnical resistance in piling classes PTL1 and PTL2
deviates from tabulated values, it can be interpolated
based on the values of the table or determined from
the end-of-driving graphs as follows: design value
of geotechnical resistance (Rd) is multiplied by the
factor 1.764 (1.47 x 1.2) to arrive at the corresponding
geotechnical resistance (Rc), which allows reading the
end-of-driving settlement from the graph.

11.3 Hydraulic rams and pneumatic hammers

11.3.1 Principles of modelling
The magnitude of the shaft resistance of a pile used
in creating the soil model was 1% of the total ultimate
resistance of the pile, and shaft resistance was
distributed evenly in the form of a downward expanding
triangle. Otherwise, the dynamic soil parameters
presented in App. 2 of PO-2011 were used.

In case the hammer cannot mobilise sufficient

geotechnical resistance based on simulation,
geotechnical resistance is to be ensured, for instance,
by a separate test loading hammer and dynamic bearing
capacity measurement or alternately by elasticity
measurement and a dynamic bearing capacity formula.

The hammers for the program were modelled based

on data and properties provided by importers or
manufacturers. The efficiencies of the ram and hammer,
again, were based on opinions or measurements. Used
hammer efficiency was 80%. With certain hammer/
pile combinations lower efficiency was used. In those
cases, efficiency has been indicated in connection with
the end-of-driving graph and table for the combination in
question.

In piling class PTL3 the geotechnical ultimate resistance

must be determined on the basis of dynamic bearing
capacity measurements.

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

If the end-of-driving graphs indicate an efficiency below

80%, the instructions of Sections 7.3.3 and 7.3.7 of the
manual are to be followed in pile installation.

49

Example: Furukawa F19 hydraulic hammer, pile RRs115/8, piling class PTL2, pile length 10 m.
Piles have two Rd values: 535 kN and 560 kN.
The end-of-driving settlement corresponding to Rd value 535 kN given in the table is 32 mm/30 s.
The Rd value 560 kN is converted to a geotechnical ultimate resistance (Rc) as follows: 1.764 * 560 kN = 988 kN.
Based on the end-of-driving graph, the end-of-driving settlement is about 16 mm/30 s.

Hammer efficiency 80%

Pile length
Piling
[m]
class
10
20
PTL1
30
10
20
PTL2
30
10
20
PTL2
30
10
20
PTL3
30
10
20
PTL3
30

Rc [kN]R

Rd [kN]

793

450

955

535

1058

860

1190

661

1322

749

Settlement
100
95
77
32
17
5
<2 (1045)*
<2 (990)*
<2 (955)*
<2 (1045)*
<2 (990)*
<2 (955)*
<2 (1045)*
<2 (990)*
<2 (955)*

<2 (xxx)* = mobilised geotechnical resistance xxx kN when

settlement <2mm/30s

Settlement

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Pile length L = 10m

Pile length L = 20m

50

Pile length L = 30m

Appendix 1

Ruukki steel piles

Design and installation instructions

Rk,geo,max values of driven piles

Table 1A: Rk,geo,max values of driven RR75 to RR320 piles, that is, maximum
impact resistance values by piling classes
Table 1B: Corresponding values of RR400 to RR1200 piles and design values
for centric load resistance of standard RR400 to RR1200 rock shoes

Ruukki provides its customers with energy-efficient steel solutions for better living, working and moving.

www.ruukki.com/infra

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Table 1A. Rk,geo,max values [kN] of RR75 to RR320 piles

Pile

Steel grade

PTL1

PTL2

PTL3

RR75

S440J2H

328

438

547

RR90

S440J2H

388

518

647

RR115/6.3

S440J2H

508

677

846

RR115/8

S440J2H

635

846

1058

RRs115/8

S550J2H

793

1058

1322

RRs125/6.3

S550J2H

710

946

1183

RR140/8

S440J2H

786

1049

1311

RR140/10

S440J2H

968

1291

1614

RRs140/10

S550J2H

1210

1614

2017

RR170/10

S440J2H

1182

1575

1969

RRs170/10

S550J2H

1477

1969

2462

RR170/12.5

S440J2H

1454

1938

2423

RR220/10

S440J2H

1561

2081

2601

RR220/12.5

S440J2H

1928

2570

3213

RR270/10

S440J2H

1963

2617

3272

RR 270/10

S550J2H

2454

3272

4090*

RR270/12.5

S440J2H

2431

3241

4051

RR270/12.5

S550J2H

3038

4051

5064*

RR320/10

S440J2H

2343

3124

3905

RR320/10

S550J2H

2929

3905

4881*

RR320/12.5

S440J2H

2905

3874

4842*

RR320/12.5

S550J2H

3632

4842*

6053*

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

* With RR270 and RR320 standard rock shoes resistance of the rock shoe is lower (Sec. 2.4.3)

52

Table 1B. Rk,geo,max values [kN] of RR400 to RR1200 piles

Pile

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Steel grade
RR400/8
RR400/10
RR400/12.5
RR450/8
RR450/10
RR450/12.5
RR500/8
RR500/10
RR500/12.5
RR500/14.2
RR500/16.0
RR550/8
RR550/10
RR550/12.5
RR550/14.2
RR550/16.0
RR600/8
RR600/10
RR600/12.5
RR600/14.2
RR600/16
RR600/18
RR650/8
RR650/10
RR650/12.5
RR650/14.2
RR650/16
RR650/18
RR700/ 8
RR700/10
RR700/12.5
RR700/14.2
RR700/16
RR700/18
RR700/20
RR750/8
RR750/10
RR750/12.5
RR750/14.2
RR750/16
RR750/18
RR750/20
RR800/8
RR800/10
RR800/12.5
RR800/14
RR800/16
RR800/18
RR800/20
RR900/8
RR900/10
RR900/12.5
RR900/14.2
RR900/16
RR900/18
RR900/20
RR1000/8
RR1000/10
RR1000/12.5
RR1000/14.2
RR1000/16
RR1000/18
RR1000/20
RR1200/8
RR1200/10
RR1200/12.5
RR1200/14.2
RR1200/16
RR1200/18
RR1200/20

Piling class PTL1

Piling class PTL2

Piling class PTL3

Standard
rock shoe
Rd,L
S355J2H S440J2H S550J2H S355J2H S440J2H S550J2H S355J2H S440J2H S550J2H
1919
2387
2965
2163
2692
3346
2409
2999
3730
4223
4741
2655
3306
4114
4659
5232
2900
3613
4498
5095
5724
6417
3141
3914
4874
5523
6205
6959
3387
4222
5258
5959
6697
7512
8323
3633
4529
5642
6395
7188
8065
8937
3878
4836
6026
6831
7680
8618
9551
4365
5444
6786
7695
8653
9713
10768
4856
6058
7554
8567
9636
10818
11996
5839
7287
9090
10312
11601
13030
14453

2379
2959
3675
2681
3336
4147
2986
3717
4623
5234
5876
3290
4098
5099
5774
6485
3595
4479
5575
6315
7094
7954
3893
4852
6041
6845
7691
8626
4198
5232
6517
7386
8300
9311
10316
4502
5613
6993
7926
8909
9996
11077
4807
5994
7469
8467
9518
10681
11838
5410
6748
8411
9537
10725
12038
13346
6019
7509
9363
10618
11943
13409
14869
7237
9032
11266
12780
14379
16150
17914

2974
3699
4594
3351
4171
5184
3732
4646
5779
6542
4113
5122
6374
7218
4493
5598
6969
7894
8867
4867
6065
7552
8556
9614
5247
6541
8146
9232
10375
11639
5628
7016
8741
9908
11137
12495
6009
7492
9336
10583
11898
13352
6763
8435
10514
11921
13406
15048
7524
9386
11704
13273
14928
16761
9047
11290
14083
15976
17974
20187

2559
3183
3954
2884
3589
4461
3212
3999
4973
5630
6321
3539
4408
5485
6212
6976
3867
4818
5997
6793
7631
8556
4188
5219
6499
7364
8274
9279
4516
5629
7011
7945
8929
10016
11097
4843
6038
7523
8527
9584
10753
11916
5171
6448
8035
9108
10239
11490
12735
5820
7259
9048
10260
11537
12950
14357
6475
8078
10072
11423
12847
14425
15995
7786
9716
12120
13749
15468
17373
19271

3172
3945
4900
3575
4449
5530
3981
4956
6164
6978
7834
4387
5464
6799
7699
8647
4793
5971
7433
8420
9459
10605
5191
6469
8055
9127
10255
11501
5597
6977
8690
9847
11067
12414
13754
6003
7484
9324
10568
11879
13328
14769
6409
7992
9958
11289
12691
14242
15784
7213
8997
11215
12716
14299
16051
17795
8026
10012
12484
14158
15924
17878
19825
9650
12042
15022
17041
19172
21533
23885
53

3965
4931
6125
4469
5561
6912
4976
6195
7705
8723
5484
6830
8498
9624
5991
7464
9291
10525
11823
6489
8086
10069
11408
12819
6996
8721
10862
12309
13834
15518
7504
9355
11655
13210
14849
16660
8012
9990
12448
14111
15864
17802
9017
11246
14019
15895
17874
20064
10032
12515
15605
17697
19905
22348
12062
15053
18777
21301
23965
26916

3199
3979
4942
3605
4487
5577
4015
4998
6217
7038
7901
4424
5510
6857
7765
8720
4834
6022
7496
8492
9539
10696
5235
6524
8124
9204
10342
11599
5645
7036
8764
9931
11161
12520
13871
6054
7548
9404
10658
11980
13442
14895
6464
8060
10043
11385
12799
14363
15919
7275
9074
11311
12825
14421
16188
17946
8094
10097
12590
14278
16059
18031
19994
9732
12145
15150
17186
19335
21716
24089

3965
4931
6125
4469
5561
6912
4976
6195
7705
8723
9793
5484
6830
8498
9624
10808
5991
7464
9291
10525
11823
13256
6489
8086
10069
11408
12819
14376
6996
8721
10862
12309
13834
15518
17193
7504
9355
11655
13210
14849
16660
18461
8012
9990
12448
14111
15864
17802
19730
9017
11246
14019
15895
17874
20064
22243
10032
12515
15605
17697
19905
22348
24781
12062
15053
18777
21301
23965
26916
29857

4956
6164
7657
5586
6951
8640
6220
7744
9632
10904
6855
8537
10623
12030
7489
9330
11614
13156
14779
8111
10108
12586
14260
16023
8746
10901
13577
15386
17292
19398
9380
11694
14569
16513
18561
20825
10014
12487
15560
17639
19830
22253
11271
14058
17523
19869
22343
25080
12540
15644
19506
22121
24881
27935
15078
18816
23471
26626
29956
33645

4900
4900
4900
5920
5920
5920
7550
7550
7550
7550
7550
7940
7940
7940
7940
7940
9680
9680
9680
9680
9680
9680
10060
10060
10060
10060
10060
10060
11610
11610
11610
11610
11610
11610
11610
12340
12340
12340
12340
12340
12340
12340
12530
12530
12530
12530
12530
12530
12530
14890
14890
14890
14890
14890
14890
14890
15690
15690
15690
15690
15690
15690
15690
19260
19260
19260
19260
19260
19260
19260

Appendix 2

Ruukki steel piles

Design and installation instructions

Application of the instructions when using

maximum allowed pile loads method
The design value for pile resistance can be converted to maximum allowed pile load
by dividing it (either a pre-calculated value in Table 22 or 23 or a value calculated by
the dimensioning programs for RR and RD piles) by the combined partial safety factor
of loads. The partial safety factor of loads can be calculated on the basis of the partial
safety factors of loads presented in SFS-EN 1990 and SFS-EN 1991 (1.15 for dead loads
and 1.5 for live loads), considering the proportion of dead and live loads of overall load.

Example 1.
The proportion of dead and live loads is 60%/40%, thus the combined partial safety factor of the
loads is 1.29 (0.6 x 1.15 + 0.4 x 1.5), and the design values of pile resistances are divided by this
factor.
RR140/10 (non-rigid structure)
piling class PTL2,
Rd = 732 kN ---> allowed pile load 567 kN
piling class PTL3,
Rd = 915 kN ---> allowed pile load 709 kN.
The requirements for minimum and average results of dynamic load tests are determined according
to Sec. 5.5.4 (that is easiest to do by using the dimensioning programs for RR and RD piles).

Ruukki provides its customers with energy-efficient steel solutions for better living, working and moving.

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55

CFI03/001EN/04.2014/PR/HK

Ruukki Construction Oy, Harvialantie 420, FI-13300 Hmeenlinna, Finland, tel. 358 20 5911, www.ruukki.com

The accuracy of this instruction sheet has been inspected with utmost care. However, we do not assume responsibility for any
mistakes or direct or indirect damages due to incorrect application of the information. The right to make changes is reserved.
Copyright 2014 Rautaruukki Corporation. All rights reserved. Ruukki, Rautaruukki, Living. Working. Moving.
and Ruukki brand names are registered trademarks of Rautaruukki Corporation.

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