What are the differences between conventional pile driving and shield pile driving?

Q: What are the differences between conventional pile driving and shield pile driving?

Conventional pile driving advances the excavation face manually or with simple mechanical equipment, being ideal for short distances, small diameters and soft ground. Shield pile driving uses a closed or semi-open shield that protects the face and allows working under controlled pressure, ideal for unstable soils, with the presence of water or large diameters. At Eurohinca we choose the technique according to the geotechnical study, the length and the site conditions, following the technical criteria of the British Tunnelling Society.

Pipe jacking is a trenchless technique used to install subway pipelines, but it can be executed in different ways depending on the project conditions.

Conventional drive
In this method, the excavation face is advanced either manually or with simple mechanical equipment from the attack pit. It is best suited for short distances, small diameters and soft or cohesive soils. It is used in some drainage works projects and urban pipelines.
Drive with shield
It uses a closed or semi-open shield that protects the excavation face and allows working under controlled pressure. This system is safer in unstable terrain, in the presence of water or in large diameters. It is common in microtunneling projects and complex crosses.

At Eurohinca we select the most appropriate technique according to the geotechnical study, the length of the section and the site conditions, applying technical criteria based on organizations such as the British Tunnelling Society.