Pile driver

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This article is about the mechanical device used in construction, for other uses see Pile driver (disambiguation)

The pile driver or piledriver is a term used to describe a mechanical device which converts potential energy into kinetic energy (both forms of mechanical energy). It is often used to force support struts (pile) into unstable terrain such as bay mud. This process allows for a structure to be built atop the piles.

[edit] History

There are a number of claims to the inventor of the pile driver. Several prominent people — James Nasmyth (son of Alexander Nasmyth), watchmaker Richard Valouè, Count Giovan Battista Gazzola and Leonardo da Vinci — have all been credited as being inventors of the mechanism. However, there is evidence that a comparable device was used in the construction of Crannogs at Oakbank and Loch Tay in Scotland as early as 5000 years ago.

[edit] Physics

Pile drivers include a cylinder of iron (the driver), placed between two metal rods so that it is able to freely slide up and down. The cylinder is raised to the top via a pulley system, which may involve the use of hydraulics, steam or manual labour. Modern pile drivers use small explosions in the chamber to raise the cylinder. At the top, the system contains mechanical energy stored as potential energy. As soon as the driver is released, the mechanical energy is converted to kinetic energy which drives the pile into the terrain.

[edit] External links

• History Trails: Ancient Crannogs from BBC's Mysterious Ancestors series
• Pile-driver Information on Gazzola's design
• Science & Society Picture Library Image of Valouè's design
• Leonardo da Vinci — PILE DRIVER Information at Italy's National Museum of Science and Technology
• Vulcan pile driving equipment, including history of the company and the machine