Method and Apparatus for Driving a Pile into a Substrate

Abstract

A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprises: a base frame having a planar substrate-engaging surface; and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, the pile guide member being configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate. The pile guide member is pivotally mounted on the base frame, with pivotal movement of the pile guide member varying the predetermined direction relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface of the base frame.

1 . A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising: a base frame having a planar substrate-engaging surface; and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, the pile guide member being configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate, characterised in that the pile guide member is pivotally mounted on the base frame, with pivotal movement of the pile guide member varying the predetermined direction relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface of the base frame. 
     
     
         2 . A pile guide according to  claim 1 , in which the pile guide member is pivotally movable relative to the base frame between a first position and a second position, with the first and second positions being angularly spaced by at least about 30°. 
     
     
         3 . A pile guide according to  claim 2 , in which the first position is substantially perpendicular to the substrate-engaging surface. 
     
     
         4 . A pile guide according to  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable locking device for in use preventing pivotal movement of the pile guide member relative to the base frame. 
     
     
         5 . A pile guide according to  claim 4 , in which the releasable locking device comprises a variable length strut pivotally coupled between the pile guide member and the base frame. 
     
     
         6 . A pile guide according to  claim 5 , in which the variable length strut is hydraulically driven. 
     
     
         7 . A pile guide according to  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable anchor for in use stabilizing position of the pile guide during pile driving. 
     
     
         8 . A pile guide according to  claim 7 , in which the releasable anchor is pivotally coupled to the base frame, with the releasable anchor being deployed/released through pivotal movement relative to the base frame. 
     
     
         9 . A pile guide according to  claim 8 , in which the releasable anchor is positioned to one lateral side of the pile guide member's pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . A pile guide according to  claim 8 , in which pivotal movement of the releasable anchor is hydraulically driven. 
     
     
         11 . A method of driving a pile into an inclined substrate, comprising: providing a pile guide comprising a base frame and a pile guide member pivotally mounted on the base frame; positioning the base frame of the pile guide on the inclined substrate; and pivotally moving the pile guide member relative to the base frame so that the pile guide member is configured to guide the pile into the substrate underlying the base frame at an acute angle relative to the substrate during pile driving. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: initially positioning the pile guide member to guide the pile in a non-vertical orientation, the non-vertical orientation being selected to reduce or avoid forces generated by pile driving a pile in a vertical orientation which urge the pile guide down the inclined substrate; and partially driving the pile into the inclined substrate before pivotally moving the pile guide member to guide the pile at the acute angle during subsequent pile driving. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: providing the pile guide with a releasable locking device, and locking pile guide member orientation relative to the base frame when pile driving. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: providing the pile guide with an anchor, and anchoring the pile guide to the substrate when pile driving.