When it comes to pile cutting in the construction industry, there are a variety of ways these particular projects can be completed.
However, when it comes to choosing a cutting method, precision and safety are of utmost importance.
To complete pile cutting in a way that is precise and safe, NuWave Industries recommends using hydro cutting.
Hydro cutting is a revolutionized technology that allows construction crews to cut piles quickly, efficiently, and at a reduced risk to workers.
Before we look at the benefits of using hydro cutting for pile cutting, let’s go over what pile cutting is and how hydro cutting works:
What is Pile Cutting?
Pile cutting, or pile cropping, is the process of cutting through pile foundation - a kind of deep foundation made of concrete or steel that is used to support large buildings such as skyscrapers and projects such as wind turbines.
Pile foundation systems involve groups of piles connected by a pile cap. This large concrete block distributes the load across the piles.
In construction, piles are used to create driven pile foundations, cast-in-situ pile foundations, and combined pile foundations.
There are also different types of piles used:
End-bearing piles
Friction piles
Bored piles
Driven piles
Screwed piles
Timber piles
Steel piles
Concrete piles
Pile cutting is done to ensure that the ends of the piles that exist above the ground are neatly cut. Hydro cutting is often used to complete this task.
What is Hydro Cutting?
Hydro cutting, or waterjet cutting, is used to cut a wide variety of materials using erosion and
highly pressurized water.
The water is forced through a nozzle into a chamber where pressure creates a vacuum that pulls abrasive sand into the stream.
When the stream is directed at a pile, the particles erode the metal at a high speed and “cuts” it.
For more dense materials, granular abrasives can be added to the nozzle to increase cutting power.
By adding the abrasives to the nozzle, and not in the entire system, the cutter can easily be switched between water-only cutting and abrasive cutting.
Hydro cutting can be used in a variety of applications such as well and pipeline abandonment in the oilfields as well as pile cutting during construction projects!
The Benefits of Hydro Cutting For Pile Cutting
Hydro cutting is the most efficient cutting method on the market, saving both time and money!
Because water jet cutting is fast and accurate, it can improve productivity, reduce the need for additional edge treatments, keep crews safe, and minimize the impact of pile cropping on the environment.
Here are some more benefits of using hydro cutting over other forms of cutting when it comes to piles:
Environmentally Friendly
Water jet cutting is an environmentally friendly process that requires no cooling or lubricating oils and does not produce noxious fumes.
This method of pile cutting also reduces waste because the water used in hydro cutting carries away the majority of the particles created during the cutting process.
Also, the abrasive used in waterjet cutting is non-toxic and recycled through a closed-loop system.
High Precision Robotic Equipment
Water jet cutting equipment is robotically powered so it can provide precision and control from a safe distance.
Plus, because water jet cutting provides high precision cutting, the structural integrity of the piles remains intact.
Hydro cutting also provides high-quality cuts so there is no need for additional edge treatment to the piles.
Increased Productivity and Cost-Savings
Hydro cutting is a quicker method of cutting, which means that crews can increase their productivity and work on other parts of the project after the pile cutting is complete.
Because hydro cutting utilizes an intense stream of water, it leaves a smooth edge without exposing the pile to burring, deformation, and thermal stress.
This means that crews do not have to spend time finishing and correcting the edge of the piles.
Versatility and Material Cutting
Because foundation piles can be made out of a variety of materials (wood, steel, concrete, etc.), hydro cutting is beneficial in this application due to its versatility.
In fact, they say that if it can’t be cut by a waterjet, it can’t be cut!
Therefore, crews do not need to switch between specialized pieces of equipment to get the job done. A hydro cutter will do it all!
Plus, water jet cutting can help crews cut in hard-to-reach areas but are also capable of
cutting both flat and curved surfaces.
Improved Safety For Buildings and Crews
Using water jetting to cut piles is the safest method available! Using traditional cutting gear can put crews in danger since they are required to be closer to the cutting process.
Because piles are located deep underground, having crews access them can be a huge
safety risk. Water jet cutting reduces this risk and keeps workers safe.
Hydro cutting also increases the safety of the building since no heavy machinery is required for the job.
Heavy machinery causes potentially damaging vibrations that can cause cracking to the foundation below the surface.
Hydro Cutting in the Construction Industry
For over 15 years, NuWave Industries has led the way when it comes to hydro cutting in the oilfield and construction industries.
We are proud to offer our services and technology throughout North America and the entire world!
Our mobile hydro cutting tools enable piles to be cut at a specified depth below surface grade to provide a high level of precision that traditional heat-cutting tools are simply not capable of.
By combining safety and capability, we offer our clients a highly beneficial cutting experience no matter the depth of the piles.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our revolutionized water jet cutting technology!