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What is a Vibratory Hammer?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

A vibratory hammer is a type of pile driver. Pile drivers are large pieces of equipment that drive piles, or foundation supports, into the ground. They are used on docks, highways and large building constructions.

A vibratory hammer is a specialized piece of equipment that uses vibration to change the soil formations so that the hammer can drive in the pile using its own weight. It makes quick work of hammering into heavy or hard piles, and allows for an increase of efficiency on the worksite. These hammers are used to drive in piles as well remove them.

Pile drivers are needed to drive foundation supports into the ground for docks, highways, and large buildings.
Pile drivers are needed to drive foundation supports into the ground for docks, highways, and large buildings.

There are two components to a vibratory hammer, the gear case and the compressor. The gear case contains weights that rotate around the case, creating a vibration. The weights are set in motion and maintain their synchronicity with a hydraulic motor attached to the gear case. A clamp attached to the bottom of the gear case transports the vibration into the pile.

Pile drivers are needed for constructing the foundations of large structures.
Pile drivers are needed for constructing the foundations of large structures.

The vibratory hammer is placed over the pile with the help of a piece of large equipment, such as a crane or excavator. The hammer is then attached to the pile through a series of clamps or bolts. A separate trailer containing hydraulic fluid is attached to the hammer. If the hammer is put in place with an excavator, the hammer can run off the excavator's engine.

Vibratory hammers are effective in a variety of different types of soil, including clay, sand, and granular. These hammers can also be modified for use underwater. They are very large and used in the industrial setting. They are commonly used to drive piles for such projects as ports and in highway construction.

There are many benefits to the use of vibratory hammers. A hammer of this type requires less force to drive a pile. Compared to other hammers that would be used in the same situation, vibratory hammers are relatively quiet. These hammers are often chosen when construction work is conducted in an urban area where the noise of a traditional pile hammer would be a problem. Vibratory hammers also make a good choice when the pile is located in an area without sufficient clearance to accommodate a traditional pile driver.

Discussion Comments

Rundocuri

@raynbow- I think that the type of equipment that your brother would have to learn how to use would depend on the type of construction work that he would like to do in his career. Any type of equipment can be dangerous if the operator doesn't know how to use it properly. That is why training is the first step to working in the field of construction. With proper training, operating a vibratory hammer is not more dangerous than operating other types of equipment.

Raynbow

I was wondering if this is the type of equipment that someone who is going into the construction industry would have to learn how to use. My brother is considering this field, but using a vibratory hammer sounds dangerous.

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    • Pile drivers are needed to drive foundation supports into the ground for docks, highways, and large buildings.
      By: mawardibahar
      Pile drivers are needed to drive foundation supports into the ground for docks, highways, and large buildings.
    • Pile drivers are needed for constructing the foundations of large structures.
      By: stavrida
      Pile drivers are needed for constructing the foundations of large structures.