Abstract
When assessing the driveability of a pile into the soil using a vibro hammer it is important that all factors that affect that process are recognized. For a particular project, the soil conditions are obviously fixed as they are determined by the project location, and the only true variables are the selection and operation of the hammer, as in many cases the pile is already designed without taking into account all aspects that are related to the driveability with a vibro hammer. The paper explores the soil related aspects (so that the hammer can be selected to generate the movement in the pile to enhance soil penetration), the pile related aspects (to illustrate how pile parameters can affect the penetration process), and the operational aspects of the pile driving. These aspects are then illustrated through simulation results and actual installation records of the monopile installation for the NAM L13-F1-1 platform on the Dutch sector of the North Sea.
