Question
What is main function of followers in driven H-piles?
Answer
A follower is an extension between pile head and hammers which transfers blow to pile in which pile head cannot be reached by hammer or is under water.For construction of driven piles, piling frame and hammer are usually erected on existing ground level but not at support of pile caps. Although, H-piles are designed to be terminated near base of pile caps. If piles are driven at ground level, certain length of H-piles is exhausted and cut at what time constructing pile caps. In this association, pile followers are used so as to save wasted section of H-piles as followers can be separate all through subsequent construction of pile caps.