PILE DRIVING CERTIFICATION ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔Epoxy Grout - ✔✔A two (or more) part resin that, when mixed, produces a high-
strength bonding material.
✔✔Failure of a Pile Foundation - ✔✔The movement of the pile foundation or any part
thereof, either as vertical settlement or laterally, to such an extent that objectionable
damage results to the structure supported by the foundation.
✔✔Fixed Leads - ✔✔Pile driving leads attached to the boom point of the crane, with or
without a spotter. Can only be moved fore or aft for batter pile.
✔✔Foot of a Pile - ✔✔The lower end of a driven pile; pile tip.
✔✔Frequency - ✔✔For vibratory drivers, the number of vertical movements of the
vibrator per minute, which is equal to the number of revolutions of the rotating shafts per
minute
✔✔Friction Pile - ✔✔Pile driven until friction between pile surface and soil are great
enough to support loads placed on them. Used when firm bearing is too deep to provide
support for an end bearing pile
✔✔Friction/End-Bearing Pile - ✔✔A pile that achieves support from the combination of
side friction developed between the side surface of the pile and the soils through which
it is driven and end bearing
✔✔Gross Penetration - ✔✔The total downward movement of the pile caused by the
hammer blow before rebound. Maximum movement during test loading.
✔✔Grout - ✔✔A mortar or paste, made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water.
✔✔Guides - ✔✔The parallel rails of the pile leads that form a pathway for the pile
hammer
, ✔✔Hammer Efficiency - ✔✔The ratio of kinetic energy of the ram immediately prior to
impact divided by the rated energy
✔✔Hammer Speed - ✔✔The number of complete strokes of a pile hammer achieved by
the ram per minute.
✔✔Heave - ✔✔The uplifting of the soil surface between or near driven piles, caused by
the displacement of soil by the pile volume.
✔✔Impact Velocity - ✔✔The velocity of the ram of a hammer when it strikes the anvil.
✔✔Internal Vibrator - ✔✔Electric or gasoline-powered device used to consolidate
concrete by immersing the head in freshly placed concrete. Flexible steel spring
extending from the motor to the head transmits vibrations to the concrete.
✔✔Jack Hammer - ✔✔Electric or pneumatic equipment with pointed or flat cutting edge.
Used to penetrate and break up hard surfaces.
✔✔Jack Test - ✔✔A high capacity hydraulic jacking system used to apply loads to a pile
under test
✔✔Jacketed Pile - ✔✔Pile driven into the ground by applying force between the top of
the pile and a stable object above.
✔✔Jacking - ✔✔Used extensively to install piles in the underpinning of structures. The
means of precisely transferring load from another source (either dead weight or a
reaction platform) in the performance of a pile load test.
✔✔Jetting - ✔✔The use of a water or air jet to facilitate the placing or driving of a pile by
means of hydraulic displacement of parts of the soil. In some cases, a high-pressure air
jet may be used, either alone or with water.
✔✔Leads - ✔✔A structure of fabricated steel or wood in which or on which a pile
hammer travels up and down and with which the hammer and pile assembly are aligned
in driving position. A complete hammer support system including lead column, brace,
and other components.
✔✔Levee - ✔✔An embankment of earth built up along the sides or a river to prevent its
overflowing its banks.
✔✔Load Test - ✔✔Testing capacity and the relation of load to movement by putting a
load on the bearing element before actually building upon the foundation
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔Epoxy Grout - ✔✔A two (or more) part resin that, when mixed, produces a high-
strength bonding material.
✔✔Failure of a Pile Foundation - ✔✔The movement of the pile foundation or any part
thereof, either as vertical settlement or laterally, to such an extent that objectionable
damage results to the structure supported by the foundation.
✔✔Fixed Leads - ✔✔Pile driving leads attached to the boom point of the crane, with or
without a spotter. Can only be moved fore or aft for batter pile.
✔✔Foot of a Pile - ✔✔The lower end of a driven pile; pile tip.
✔✔Frequency - ✔✔For vibratory drivers, the number of vertical movements of the
vibrator per minute, which is equal to the number of revolutions of the rotating shafts per
minute
✔✔Friction Pile - ✔✔Pile driven until friction between pile surface and soil are great
enough to support loads placed on them. Used when firm bearing is too deep to provide
support for an end bearing pile
✔✔Friction/End-Bearing Pile - ✔✔A pile that achieves support from the combination of
side friction developed between the side surface of the pile and the soils through which
it is driven and end bearing
✔✔Gross Penetration - ✔✔The total downward movement of the pile caused by the
hammer blow before rebound. Maximum movement during test loading.
✔✔Grout - ✔✔A mortar or paste, made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water.
✔✔Guides - ✔✔The parallel rails of the pile leads that form a pathway for the pile
hammer
, ✔✔Hammer Efficiency - ✔✔The ratio of kinetic energy of the ram immediately prior to
impact divided by the rated energy
✔✔Hammer Speed - ✔✔The number of complete strokes of a pile hammer achieved by
the ram per minute.
✔✔Heave - ✔✔The uplifting of the soil surface between or near driven piles, caused by
the displacement of soil by the pile volume.
✔✔Impact Velocity - ✔✔The velocity of the ram of a hammer when it strikes the anvil.
✔✔Internal Vibrator - ✔✔Electric or gasoline-powered device used to consolidate
concrete by immersing the head in freshly placed concrete. Flexible steel spring
extending from the motor to the head transmits vibrations to the concrete.
✔✔Jack Hammer - ✔✔Electric or pneumatic equipment with pointed or flat cutting edge.
Used to penetrate and break up hard surfaces.
✔✔Jack Test - ✔✔A high capacity hydraulic jacking system used to apply loads to a pile
under test
✔✔Jacketed Pile - ✔✔Pile driven into the ground by applying force between the top of
the pile and a stable object above.
✔✔Jacking - ✔✔Used extensively to install piles in the underpinning of structures. The
means of precisely transferring load from another source (either dead weight or a
reaction platform) in the performance of a pile load test.
✔✔Jetting - ✔✔The use of a water or air jet to facilitate the placing or driving of a pile by
means of hydraulic displacement of parts of the soil. In some cases, a high-pressure air
jet may be used, either alone or with water.
✔✔Leads - ✔✔A structure of fabricated steel or wood in which or on which a pile
hammer travels up and down and with which the hammer and pile assembly are aligned
in driving position. A complete hammer support system including lead column, brace,
and other components.
✔✔Levee - ✔✔An embankment of earth built up along the sides or a river to prevent its
overflowing its banks.
✔✔Load Test - ✔✔Testing capacity and the relation of load to movement by putting a
load on the bearing element before actually building upon the foundation
