Pile Solution

Ihc fundex f3500 piling rig is being used by Nederveen Funderingstechnieken, part of the Heijmans Group, to construct underwater foundations for a tunnel on the new North-South line of the Amsterdam Metro. The rig is fitted with an IHC SC 110 Hydrohammer to sink H-beams (with grout injection) and pre-cast concrete piles from a temporary bridge over the tunnel's route.

Environmental considerations meant the use of a traditional impact hammer with follower to drive would not be suitable, so the contractor turned to Hydrohammer working in combination with the F3500's sinkable leader.

The installation method involves lowering the leader to below the water level with the rig's winch before starting to drive the piles. This turned out to be an efficient method, and a second leader, which is conventionally used, did not prove necessary.

Pile handling was carried out using the F3500's built-in hydraulic winch.